AAA South Jersey May/June 2012 : Page 17
AAA Executive Vice President Mark Brown 7HVWLÀHV%HIRUHWKH86+RXVH&RPPLWWHHRQ1DWXUDO5HVRXUFHV Executive from one of the nation’s largest leisure travel organizations discusses the potential impact of rising gas prices on American travelers AAA Executive Vice President, Association and Club Services, Mark Brown testified before the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources regarding the impact of gas prices on the U.S. travel industry. Brown provided Committee members with a consumer prospective on the impact of fuel prices on household budgets and travel plans. counselors, AAA has a finger on the pulse of the American traveler. Although rising gas prices can cause concern for the travel industry, Brown indicated that current feedback from AAA travel counselors is encouraging. “A quick poll of some of our agents suggests that members are not cancelling their vacation driving plans, but may alter the distance and number of destinations.” “Once again America’s motorists are caught in a squeeze and confused as they AAA agents have noticed that consumers try to understand what is happening at interested in purchasing individual airline tickets only are watching fares the gas pump,” said Brown. closely and waiting to book flights Brown cited the findings of a recent anticipating that fares may come down. AAA survey in which 84 percent of respondents said they have already As the summer travel season changed their driving habits or lifestyle approaches, Brown pointed out that in some way because of increased gas it is still too early to determine the prices. Combining trips and errands impact of higher gas prices on summer was the most commonly reported travelers. AAA produces five holiday cost-cutting tactic, with 60 percent of travel forecasts each year with research respondents reporting having already partner IHS Global Insight. The first made this adjustment. Forty-five percent forecast for 2012, AAA’s Memorial Day of respondents are dining out less and 34 Holiday Travel forecast, will be released in mid-May and will provide a reading percent are delaying major purchases. of Americans’ desire to travel despite With more than 1000 branch offices higher gas prices. across the country and over 7,000 travel """�f;DPNt4+'JSTUt t May/June
AAA Executive Vice President Mark Brown
AAA Executive Vice President, Association and Club Services, Mark Brown testified before the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources regarding the impact of gas prices on the U.S. travel industry. Brown provided Committee members with a consumer prospective on the impact of fuel prices on household budgets and travel plans.<br /> <br /> “Once again America’s motorists are caught in a squeeze and confused as they try to understand what is happening at the gas pump,” said Brown.<br /> <br /> Brown cited the findings of a recent AAA survey in which 84 percent of respondents said they have already changed their driving habits or lifestyle in some way because of increased gas prices. Combining trips and errands was the most commonly reported cost-cutting tactic, with 60 percent of respondents reporting having already made this adjustment. Forty-five percent of respondents are dining out less and 34 percent are delaying major purchases.<br /> <br /> With more than 1000 branch offices across the country and over 7,000 travel counselors, AAA has a finger on the pulse of the American traveler. Although rising gas prices can cause concern for the travel industry, Brown indicated that current feedback from AAA travel counselors is encouraging. “A quick poll of some of our agents suggests that members are not cancelling their vacation driving plans, but may alter the distance and number of destinations.” <br /> <br /> AAA agents have noticed that consumers interested in purchasing individual airline tickets only are watching fares closely and waiting to book flights anticipating that fares may come down.<br /> <br /> As the summer travel season approaches, Brown pointed out that it is still too early to determine the impact of higher gas prices on summer travelers. AAA produces five holiday travel forecasts each year with research partner IHS Global Insight. The first forecast for 2012, AAA’s Memorial Day Holiday Travel forecast, will be released in mid-May and will provide a reading of Americans’ desire to travel despite higher gas prices.
