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Americans warm up to the idea of winter travel

December 18, 2004 |

Whether they'll be frolicking in the snow or sunning on the beach, Americans will be traveling in record numbers this winter.

Whether they’ll be frolicking in the snow or sunning on the beach, Americans will be traveling in record numbers this winter (December, January, February), according to the latest seasonal forecast by the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA). Americans are expected to take more than 243 million person-trips this winter, an increase of 2.6 percent from last winter. In just four years, since 2000, winter travel volume has increased nearly 8 percent. A person-trip is one person traveling 50 miles or more from home, one way or an overnight trip away from home staying in paid accommodations.

“This looks to be a great season for travel,” remarked William S. Norman, president and CEO of the Travel Industry Association of America. “The economy continues to move along at a steady pace and consumers are becoming more confident. As such, travel remains high on Americans’ activity list.”

After experiencing relatively flat growth during the past two winter seasons, leisure travel volume in December, January and February is expected to grow a healthy 2.5 percent over last winter. Americans are expected to take more than 195 million leisure trips this winter. Since 2000, winter leisure travel volume has increased 11 percent.

Americans are expected to take 30.5 million business person-trips this winter, an increase of 3 percent over last winter season. While business travel continues to strengthen, winter business travel volume is still nearly 18 percent lower than 2000.

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