TIA forecasts flat winter travel season

Travel by Americans will remain relatively flat this winter, said the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA). Americans are expected to take more than 139 million pleasure person-trips during December 2002 through February 2003, up just 1/2% from last winter. A person-trip is one person traveling 50 miles or more from home, one way. According to the TIA, 71% of travelers intend to travel for pleasure or personal reasons, while 39% plan to travel for business or conventions. Family members continue to be the most popular travel companions, with 52% taking spouses and 28% taking children. Eleven percent with travel with friends, 11% with other family members, 5% with their parents and 5% will travel as part of a group. Seventeen percent will travel alone and 1% will travel with grandparents. For more on the survey, go to the TIA's Website at www.tia.org