AAA Wisconsin: Fewer traveling for Thanksgiving
WAUSAU, Wis. (AP) — The weather is expected to be mostly good and gasoline prices are down dramatically so traveling to Grandma’s house for Thanksgiving should be easier.
But AAA Wisconsin said Tuesday fewer people intend to do it.
The auto club predicts 6.2 million people will travel at least 50 miles by auto in the Great Lakes region, which includes Wisconsin, for Thursday’s holiday, or about 1 percent fewer than a year ago.
It’s the first decline for the turkey day feast since 2002, caused primarily because of the country’s economic downturn and uncertainty as people become more cautious about their spending, AAA said.
“People are just being a little bit more conservative,” said Larry Kamholz, a AAA spokesman in Madison. “Almost 1 percent does not seem like a lot, but it is when you compare it to the last numerous years when you always had an increase. It is a significant number.”
The plunging price of gasoline cannot offset all the worries and fears about people’s finances and income, Kamholz said.
“Obviously, our country as a whole is on shaky ground right now financially and until we get this squared off and figured out I think people are far more reluctant to do anything extra,” he said.
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