For the first time since 9/11, the peak travel season looks to be hitting on all cylinders.
The message from the travel industry this spring: Americans are on the road again.
"Despite terrorist threats, fuel price rises, and a weak dollar," says Amy Ziff, roving editor for Travelocity, "Americans feel free to travel again, especially to Europe, where they've been going in increasing numbers."
According to the European Travel Commission, a record 14 million Americans will visit Europe this year, surpassing the 13.5 million who ventured there in 2000.
This is good news for the travel industry. For travelers, though, heightened demand has pushed up prices across the board.
An annual AAA survey of domestic travel costs reports that per diem prices are up 5 percent over last year. The story is even worse overseas. The dollar has lost 6 percent of its value against the euro, and that doesn't account for other price increases.
So far, high fuel prices have had little impact on fares, but just last week American Airlines announced it would add fuel surcharges of $5 a ticket for domestic flights, more for international ones. Other airlines will likely follow suit.
Hotel prices are up already. John Walsh, spokesman for Marriott International, reports that average daily rates (ADRs) at Marriott (domestic and international) are up an average of 7 percent this year. The AAA reports that domestic lodging for a family of four costs nearly 4 percent more this year and now average $129 a night.
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Source - CNN
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