Americans who canceled trips and get-togethers late last year due to the pandemic are making up for lost time this holiday season. The latest forecast, released by the American Automobile Association (AAA) mid-month, predicts that the holiday rush will run from December 23 to January 2. About 109 million people will travel during the week of Christmas and New Year, a record increase from 119 million in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic broke out.
About 100 million people plan to travel by car during the holiday season, while another 3 million will choose buses, trains and cruise ships. Airlines are also forecasting an impressive 184% increase over last year. United Airlines said it plans to add 200 flights a day to handle the surge this month. The airline will carry nearly 420,000 people a day and about 8 million travelers during the holiday season.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people wear masks on planes, buses, trains and in public areas.
Some locations in the US remain closed, but large numbers of tourists still choose to travel to New York, Orlando, Florida and Los Angeles.
While Americans remain concerned about the Covid-19 pandemic and the emergence of the new Omicron variant, widespread vaccination has made many people feel more confident and comfortable about traveling. According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (USA), “If you have been vaccinated, you don’t need to change your vacation plans – even if the Omicron variant is spreading in the United States.” Conversely, a small number of others may choose to stay home if Covid-19 cases continue to rise and make last-minute cancellations.
