Memories, traditions keep Americans traveling

• By CYNTHIA V. CAMPBELL
• Travel editor
• Published: Nov 23, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Holiday travel is expected to decline about 1.4 percent compared to last year, but the Travel Industry Association reports tradition will keep holiday travel strong.

A Harris Interactive survey, recently completed for TIA, showed that of 2,256 adults participating, some 60 percent plan to visit with out-of-town family or friends during the holiday.

“Holiday travel’s stability and relative strength compared with other sectors of the economy is an indication of how much people value the experience of sharing time with loved ones,” said Suzanne Cook, TIA’s senior vice president of research.

Survey participants gave four reasons as significant for hitting the road for Thanksgiving visits. They are: creating memories, maintaining traditions, reconnecting and building relationships and improving a person’s sense of overall well-being.

According to a AAA survey, 41 million people are forecast to travel over Thanksgiving. The number is the same as that of travelers in 2006.

If you are traveling this holiday, always keep in mind:

• Check your vehicle first.
• Observe all speed limits.
• Keep safety belts on.
• Get to airport early.
• Be considerate of others, especially those who are working on the holiday.

Thanksgiving flight fares
Travelocity’s Thanksgiving data shows that the top 10 booked destinations for air travelers this holiday are (in order): New York City; Orlando; Las Vegas; South Florida; Los Angeles; Washington, D.C.; Chicago; Denver; Dallas/Fort Worth; and Phoenix.

With the exception of average fares to Salt Lake City and New Orleans, where prices remained flat, average airfare to the top 50 destinations increased. However, some destinations saw average fare increases of less than 3 percent. They included Denver, Orlando, Philadelphia and Cancun.

To help Thanksgiving air travelers survive the holiday rush, Travelocity’s Thanksgiving Task Force will be stationed at 10 of the busiest airports in the country Tuesday, Nov. 25, and Wednesday, Nov. 26, to inform the public about airport conditions such as security wait times and delays before they head to the airport. Hourly updates will be posted on The Window Seat blog at http://www.windowseatblog.com.

Galveston Thanksgiving
Galveston Island is welcoming Thanksgiving visitors. A number of the city’s full-service hotels are back in operation.

Hotel Galvez, a Wyndham Historic Hotel, is offering Thanksgiving Getaway package for one or two nights. It includes the hotel’s popular Thanksgiving Day brunch and tickets to the Moody Gardens Festival of Lights. The package begins at $279, including tax, for a one-night stay and $449, inclusive, for a two-night stay. Based on double occupancy and availability.

The Thanksgiving Day brunch Nov. 27, with a complete turkey dinner, seafood, eggs Benedict and more, costs $39, adults; $30, seniors; and $20, children, age 6 and under. Seatings are at 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Call the hotel at (409) 765-7721 for room reservations and (409) 515-2117 for brunch reservations.

Other Galveston hotels offering brunch on Thanksgiving Day include:

• Moody Gardens Hotel, seatings starting at 11:30 a.m. with the last seating at 3 p.m.; prices are $31.95, adults; $25.95, seniors; $17.95, children. Call (409) 741-8484, ext. 4465.
• San Luis Resort Hotel, seatings at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.; prices are $32, adults; $25, seniors 65 and over; $16, children 4-12. Call (409) 744-1500, ext. 2122.
• Hilton Galveston Island, seatings 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; prices are $22.95, adults; $16.95, seniors; and $8.95, children 12 and under. Call (877) GAL-ISLE.

More on Galveston
The City of Galveston’s official holiday tree lighting will be Friday, Nov. 28, at the Galvez Hotel. Festivities start at 6 p.m. with the arrival of Santa. Entertainment will include singers from Moody Gardens’ Gift of Christmas Musical and Dickens on The Strand performers, including the Temple High School Choir, Texas Bagpipe Group and dulcimer artist Rex Stanley.

To book lodging in Galveston visit: http://www.Galveston.com.