Sunday, December 23, 2001
Will Americans be home for Christmas? A national survey shows that some people have changed their travel plans.
By VERONICA GORLEY
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Like many Americans, Joyce Oaks' daughter Jennifer will not be home for Christmas this year.
"It's not like Christmas without her here," said Oaks, 47, of Niles.
Jennifer planned to fly home from Denver for the holidays, but her plans have changed since Sept. 11.
The decision is not uncommon: A national survey by the Travel Industry Association found that fewer Americans are expected to travel this holiday season.
The survey predicts holiday travel will decrease by 6 percent this year. An expected 53.7 million Americans plan to travel at least 50 miles from home this holiday season, a decline from 57.1 million travelers in 2000.
John Jarmolik, 36, never travels for the holidays, but others in his family have changed their plans since Sept. 11.
"My aunts are not flying home because they're scared," the Youngstown resident said, adding that they might choose to drive instead.
Others, though, are not dissuaded. Selene Layton, 51, of Austintown said her daughter and son-in-law still intend to fly home from Florida.
"It was around Sept. 11 when they were looking into tickets, but they decided to come anyway," Layton said.
Change in plans: Some local travel agencies have noticed a slight change in the travel plans of area residents. Sharon Ritterspach, tour manager for Gad-About Tours Inc. in Columbiana, expects fewer travelers this holiday because the travel statistics over Thanksgiving were below average.
"Travel as a whole across the United States is down," Ritterspach said. "The anthrax scare tends to make people feel safer inside their own house."
Ritterspach said the unseasonably warm weather is causing some people who typically travel south for the winter to delay their plans.
"People are extending their time here," Ritterspach said. "As long as it's nice here, they're choosing to stay here with family for the holidays."
Ritterspach noted that a decrease in traveling during this time of year isn't atypical.
"Ohio travel industry in January and February is normally light because of bad weather," Ritterspach said. "It's taking a chance. The bulk of the traveling is done by the older generations, and weather is a concern of theirs."
On the road instead: Some Americans who plan to leave home this season will take to the roads instead of flying. The Travel Industry Association's survey reports 79 percent of travelers expect to travel by automobile, truck or RV this year, an increase from the 75 percent from last year.
"Sept. 11 still has its toll on flying," Ritterspach said. "Plus, people run into hassles at the airport. I think it's easier at this point to jump into the car and go."
Traveling by motorcoach is a viable alternative for holiday travelers opting to steer clear of airports, Ritterspach said.
"Our holiday tours are strong," Ritterspach said.
Ritterspach said four coaches traveled to Branson, Mo., for a six-day, seven-show tour to see the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, pianist Dino Kartsonakis and comedian Yakov Smirnoff. An additional four coaches recently returned from the holiday trip to Nashville, Tenn., and the agency also offers a number of day trips during the holidays.
Marlene Epstein, co-owner of Plaza Travel in Hermitage, isn't too concerned with the slight decrease in traveling this season.
"It's going to be off some from past years," Epstein said. "However, I see a trend to start booking again."
Epstein said destinations such as Hawaii, Mexico, Florida, the Caribbean and cruises continue to be popular.
Words of advice: Epstein urges air travelers to book flights in advance. Airlines have reduced the number of planes in service because fewer people were choosing to fly during the past few months. Since fewer planes are in the air, flights are fuller and fill up quickly.
She also suggests fliers allow at least two hours before their flight "to be on the safe side, especially during holiday travel."
Epstein said her agency is handling some last-minute bookings for people who have reconsidered traveling during the holidays.