Summer forecast

Summer forecast

A stronger economy is expected to propel a record number of travelers to fly this summer.

From June 1 to Aug. 31, 223 million people are expected to fly on U.S.-based carriers, a record that surpasses the pre-recession high of 217 million in 2007, according to a forecast by Airlines for America, the trade group for the nation’s airlines.

The forecast is 4.5 percent higher than last summer’s total, with a 4-percent increase expected in domestic travel and 7 percent in international travel.

The trade group says the top international destinations for the summer are Mexico’s Cancun, London, Tokyo, Toronto and Paris.

Travel survey

The move to normalize relations with Cuba will have a direct impact on Americans seeking to vacation legally on the island nation – just as they can in other parts of the Caribbean or Mexico.

However, in the newest Travel Leaders Group travel survey, a mere 8.8 percent of those polled said they would go to Cuba immediately when all restrictions are lifted and only 14.9 percent stated they would go when they believed Cuba was ready for American tourists.

Additional findings in this year’s survey include the top international “bucket list” destination for Americans is Australia; and more than 93 percent of survey participants have taken or will take a leisure trip in 2015.

The survey was conducted by Travel Leaders Group from April 3-30 and includes responses from 3,371 consumers throughout the United States.

Geography quiz

Q. What is the world’s southernmost capital of an independent nation?

A. Wellington, New Zealand. Located on the southern tip of New Zealand’s North Island, it sits at 41 degrees south latitude.

Updated PetBook

AAA has released a newly updated “Traveling with Your Pet: The AAA PetBook.”

Now in its 17th edition, the guide features more than 15,000 AAA approved hotels, restaurants and campgrounds that welcome travelers and their furry family members.

Helpful tips for first-time and seasoned pet travelers include ideas on packing, pet etiquette and border crossing. Dog parks, national public lands that allow pets and emergency vet clinics are also listed.

Animal-loving travelers also can enter the AAA PetBook Photo Contest for a chance to win prizes and see their pet on a cover of a future edition of the book.

The book is available now at many AAA offices, bookstores and online booksellers for $18.95.

Combined dispatches