Arizonans leaving town for holiday, but spending less

This Fourth of July will be one of the biggest travel holidays for Arizonans in 2012.

Triple A-Arizona expects over 800,000 people will be going out of town this year, five percent more than last year.

But Triple-A’s Michelle Donati said spending by Arizona families has gone down dramatically.

“In 2011, the average Arizonan spent just over $1,000 over the Independence Day holiday,” she said. “That has dropped by more than 35 percent this year. This year, the average Arizonan will spend about $650.”

Donati said that many Arizonans are taking advantage of local hotels offering “staycation” deals and that is keeping spending a bit lower.

Arizonans traveling by air this year increased over nine percent from 2011, while the average car rate rental decreased nine percent from 2011 compared to 2012.