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May 14, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MSU forecasts only a slight increase over last year in travel volume for the upcoming 2002 Memorial Day weekend.
Michigan State University's Tourism Resource Center forecasts about a 2% increase in the overall number of pleasure trips of 50 miles or more (one-way) in Michigan over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, compared to the same time last year. This anticipated increase is based on the projection that the number of Michigan residents' in-state pleasure trips during the holiday weekend will be up over 20%, which will barely offset a forecasted 20% decline in the number of non-residents' pleasure trips to Michigan.
"People's tendency to stay closer to home on their pleasure trips began last summer as the U.S. economy slipped into recession. The terrorist attacks on 9/11 resulted in even more shorter trips because of increased fear and inconvenience associated with air travel," says Don Holecek, the director of the Tourism Resource Center.
If we have a "normal" weather pattern during Memorial Day weekend, Michigan will more than likely experience a record volume of travel during this three-day holiday period; however, the increase in traffic compared to last year will be too small to be noticed by most holiday travelers.
In March 2002, the Tourism Resource Center forecasted that the annual increase in Michigan travel volume could reach 3 - 4%, travel spending could increase by 5 - 6% and travel prices could be 3 - 4% higher than last year.
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