May 23rd, 2017 by WCBC Radio
AAA Mid-Atlantic projects nearly 834,0000 Marylanders will travel this Memorial Day holiday weekend, a 2.3 percent increase compared to 2016, and the highest figure for the holiday since 2005, mirroring the nationwide trend for Memorial Day travel. The Memorial Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, May 25 to Monday, May 29.
This year’s forecast also reflects the sixth consecutive year of growth since 2012, after holiday travel declined very slightly in 2011, and when May gas prices had peaked to $4.00 per gallon in Maryland. For the third consecutive year, Maryland’s travel volume is expected to exceed 800,000.
“Our forecast shows that Marylanders are joining Americans across the country in planning a getaway for the Memorial Day holiday weekend in record numbers not seen since 2005,” said Ragina Cooper Averella, Manager of Public and Government Affairs at AAA Mid-Atlantic. “Increases in personal income and falling unemployment rates have led to strong growth in consumer spending, as well as a high level of consumer optimism. These are the driving factors motivating Marylanders to open up their wallets to spend on a holiday trip.”
AAA Mid-Atlantic, safety and law enforcement officials, were joined by Maryland’s Deputy Transportation Secretary, James Ports, and Ocean City Mayor Richard Meehan this morning. The annual event was held at Hemingway’s Restaurant in Stevensville, at the southern base of the Bay Bridge, to kick off the unofficial start to the summer vacation season with travel projections and traffic safety initiatives.
“Ocean City is excited to kick off the summer season and the Memorial Holiday Weekend,” commented Mayor Meehan. “Our summer is full of free family fun, every day of the week, including exciting signature events like the 10th Annual Air Show. Despite all of the excitement, safety is always our number one priority. We want our visitors to arrive in Ocean City safely, stay safe while you’re here and return home safely. Remember to Walk Smart, using crosswalks and crossing with the pedestrian signal.