AAA Arizona Expects 30% Decrease in Travel this Holiday Season

AAA Arizona is expecting about 30% less travelers for the upcoming holidays compared to 2019 because of continued public health concerns due to the coronavirus pandemic.

AAA anticipates about 84.5 million people nationwide to still travel between Dec. 23 and Jan. 3. That figure would result in about 34 million fewer travelers than last year.

“With COVID-19 cases steadily increasing this month, the expected continued rise will prompt some would-be travelers to not follow through with upcoming travel plans,” Aldo Vazquez, AAA Arizona spokesman, said in a press release.

The trend would follow the Thanksgiving traveler numbers, which were also expected to be down nationally compared to the previous year.

Final Thanksgiving numbers aren’t yet available but about 50 million people likely traveled over the November holiday, a more than 10% decrease year-over-year.

Arizona on Tuesday reported 4,134 new coronavirus cases and 64 additional deaths, bringing the totals in the state to 424,382 COVID-19 infections and 7,422 fatalities.