AAA: Fewer people expected to travel for July Fourth weekend

Despite lower gas prices this year, fewer Missourians are expected to travel during the July Fourth holiday weekend.

The latest survey by AAA predicts that 37.1 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home, a 1.9 percent drop from 2008. North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization said rising unemployment and sagging personal incomes are contributing factors for the decrease.

Most Americans will average 614 miles round trip, the survey said.

Mike Right, a spokesman for AAA Missouri, expects the state's travelers to be similar to those on the national level.

"This year folks will be looking at area festivals, nearby camping and boating opportunities," Right said. "They will also be looking for bargains everywhere, and there are a number of travel bargains out there. That may account for some of the increase in air travel."

Eighty-eight percent of Americans are expected to travel by automobile, AAA predicts. Gas in Missouri averaged the lowest in the nation Wednesday at $2.42 per gallon, compared to around $3.85 at the same time in 2008.

However, the price of gasoline nationwide has increased since Memorial Day, when the average price was $2.42 per gallon, compared to $2.63 Wednesday. AAA said that could be a contributing factor to a 4.9 percent increase in air travel, with 2 million Americans taking to the skies this weekend. That follows a 37.4 percent decrease in 2008, when 1.2 million fewer people traveled by plane.

While some travel deals can be found because of the recession, Cape Girardeau travel agents said travelers who have not already booked their vacations for the weekend may be out of luck.

"The fact is, in most cases, the traveler must have a sufficient lead time and be flexible in their travel dates to take advantage of some of these offerings," said Cynthia Schutt of Tailored Travel. "Availability can be an issue if the traveler is not able to be flexible with their travel dates."

Carolyn Kempf of Elite Travel said she's noticed a trend of more people booking travel at the last minute, which can result in those travelers not securing the lowest priced package.

"When you pull into a destination this weekend and tell the hotel you need a room that night, you're more than likely going to be quoted the rack rate, which is the highest rate you'll pay," Kempf said. "People may think they can get a deal on a whim at a hotel because they've heard that those deals can be found, but it's not going to work for this holiday period. If anything, you'll spend hours driving around afterward without finding a vacancy, and when you do it will cost you more than you will want to spend."

Shari Elfrink of First Class Travel said a common trend among her clients is planning multiple vacations throughout the summer that would cost the same as they paid for one vacation in 2008.

"Our bookings for 2010 are already strong," Elfrink said. "Many of those who have chosen to stay closer to home this year are planning early for next year's vacations so they can budget and pay their trips in full early."

Kempf said in recent months she has noticed more of her clients booking travel two weeks before their trip instead of 90 days in advance that was the norm in the past. She said people are concerned about the state of the economy and therefore are booking trips at the last minute. That trend has resulted in more destinations offering value-added incentives for those booking early, such as free show tickets, breakfast, parking and Internet access.

"The travel industry can't live on a two-week window," Kempf said. "What hotels are doing is offering freebies and deeply discounted rooms to get people to the destination in hopes that they'll spend more money on food and entertainment during their stay."

For those looking ahead to next year, Kempf said not to expect the same bargains as this summer.

"People may call next year wanting the same prices they received this year but that won't happen," Kempf said. "My advice is to take advantage of the deals this summer and plan ahead for next year."

Pertinent addresses:

4 S. Pacific St., Cape Girardeau, MO

354 Silver Springs Road, Cape Girardeau, MO

3441 William St., Cape Girardeau, MO