Holiday Travel to Grow, According to 2000 American ExpressHoliday Travel Index
Holiday Travel to Grow, According to 2000 American ExpressHoliday Travel Index
NEW YORK, Nov. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- By land or air, more Americans will travel this holiday season than in years past, according to the 2000 American Express Holiday Travel Index. One-third of Americans (32%) will travel this holiday, compared to 29% in 1999, and 28% in 1998, the survey revealed.
The 2000 American Express Holiday Travel Index also found:
Christmas holiday travel is most popular this year. Of those Americans who plan to travel this holiday season, 21% will take a trip for the Christmas holiday, followed by Thanksgiving (19%) and New Year's (8%).
Only 1% said they planned to travel for Chanukah. Americans from the South will travel the most (35%), compared to those in the North-Central states (32%), the Northeast (29%), and the West (28%).
Most Americans will travel by car, but the airports will be crowded as well. Seventy-two percent of holiday travelers expect to reach their destination via automobile, compared to 70% in 1999. Additionally,
thirty-three percent of holiday travelers plan to fly to their holiday celebrations, compared to 30% in 1999.
Visiting family or friends is the most popular reason to travel. Eighty-percent of those who will travel this year plan to visit with family or friends, while 21% plan to take a vacation. Only 3% are traveling on business. Seventy-two percent of these holiday travelers will stay with family or friends, and 24% plan to stay at a hotel, motel or resort.
Holiday travelers plan to travel, on average, 636 miles. Thirty percent of people who plan to travel this holiday will travel more than 1,000 miles to reach their destinations. Holiday travelers will spend an average
of seven days away from home for various holiday celebrations, compared to six days in 1999.
