AAA: More Arizonans staying in state for Thanksgiving
Nov 12, 2015, 9:16 AM
PHOENIX — More Arizonans are choosing to stay home this Thanksgiving holiday, with about 1.44 million taking to the skies and roadways, a 6.4 percent decline from last year, according to AAA.
Amy Moreno, senior travel manager for AAA Arizona, said the state’s weather during the Thanksgiving holiday is just one reason for the drop, along with people taking advantage of deals and events at local resorts.
“Being that Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day summer travel periods experienced increases, consumers may be saving up for the December holidays, where signs point to a healthy end-of-year travel period,” Moreno said.
While the overall number of Thanksgiving travelers was expected to be down, the number of travelers flying was expected to be up by 9 percent. This will be the fourth consecutive year that air travel has risen.
A lower-than-average six out of 10 travelers will drive to their destinations, even with the statewide average gas price of $2.14 per gallon, the lowest for the holiday since 2008.
