Taking the family fishing
Travel survey predicts a booming summer season
May 14, 1998
Web posted at: 12:04 p.m. EST (1704 GMT)
(CNN) -- Kids and fishing are the headlines in the Travelometer summer forecast, released Thursday by AAA and the Travel Industry Association (TIA).
The survey -- of 1,500 American adults asked in April about their summer travel plans -- indicates a booming travel season, with beach or lake trips topping the destinations, followed closely by visits to friends or family and cities.
"We expect that this is going to be a very robust summer," said William Norman of TIA. "Just as the economy is doing very, very well, unemployment is low, Americans think this is going to be a wonderful time and travel is going to mirror that."
More than three-quarters of those surveyed said they were headed for the beach or a lake this summer, with just under 70 percent aiming to see family or friends or take an urban vacation.
The biggest increase in activity over last year is a six percent jump in those who plan to go fishing -- almost half of all travelers plan to cast a line this summer and see what bites.
"Fly fishing, particularly I think, is being taken on by the younger, baby boomer-type generation," said Graeme Clarke of AAA. "It gives them a chance to get away and see some nice country and have an activity, rather than just being sedentary."
SUMMER TRAVEL PLANS 1,500 American adults surveyed
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Of those with plans....
Heading to beach or lake - 77%
Visit friends or family - 69%
Visit a city - 69%
Longest planned trip....
Average length - 8 nights
Average spending - $972
Top wish list destinations....
Florida - 36%
California - 30%
Hawaii - 16%
Source: AAA/TIA survey
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Just over half of those surveyed plan to take children -- either their own (45 percent) or grandchildren (6 percent) -- on vacation. Seventy-four percent of 35-44 year olds will be traveling with their own children.
Florida (36 percent), California (30 percent) and Hawaii (16 percent) remain the top three places Americans most want to visit this summer. New to the list were North Carolina and Washington state (both 6 percent).
On average, travelers expect to spend eight nights away from home for their longest trips, at a cost of just under $1,000. Almost a quarter say they'll probably travel more this summer than last, and more people say they're planning shorter trips (less than one week) than they did last year.
Business travel is not expected to increase this summer. Less than one quarter of those surveyed are likely to travel for business -- maybe because they're too busy taking the family fishing.
CNN TravelGuide Correspondent Lori Waffenschmidt contributed to this report.
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