A record number of Coloradoans will pack their suitcases this holiday weekend despite higher travel costs, according to a survey released today by AAA Colorado.
The auto club estimates that 31 percent more Coloradoans will travel this weekend than did last year, with 22 percent more driving to their destination and 56 percent more flying.
“The bottom line is people are finally rebounding from tragedies such as the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks,” said AAA Colorado spokeswoman Alexa Gromko. “Plus, we’re seeing some of the best early season snow we’ve seen in years. The hype is up.”
Nationally, 63.50 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home this weekend, a 1.7 percent increase over last year.
The increased demand is pushing up prices for hotels and rental cars. Rates at AAA-rated Three Diamond hotels are up 14 percent over the same weekend in 2004. And while gas prices have fallen significantly since September, a tank of unleaded gas in Colorado cost $2.20 today, 36 cents more than the same day last year.
This month’s record-breaking snow has helped boost business overall for mountain hotels, ski resorts and tour operators.
“We’re up a strong 15 percent over last year for December,” said Tom Ball, executive vice president of Colorado Mountain Express, the van service that ferries visitors from Denver International Airport to destinations across the state. “And we’re expecting to see a significant jump in traffic this weekend.”
Staff writer Julie Dunn can be reached at 303-820-1592 or at jdunn@denverpost.com.
