Figures released by the TSA that detail the number of travelers passing through TSA checkpoints across airports in the US have shown a welcome boost in the total number of people traveling over the weekend. The news is bound to be welcomed by the travel industry, following fears that people were deciding against traveling due to the low travel numbers recorded in the month of August.
Whether for a last hurrah to celebrate Labor Day, or traveling domestically through necessity following further restrictions placed on American travelers by several EU countries, the figures show the appetite for travel is still there – even if the recommendation to do so by the CDC was not. Here's a look at the figures, reasons why they may be so high and what the future could hold for travel in the US.
Travel Figures Rise Again – Information For Travelers
The month of August – heralded months ago as a busy month of travel due to the improving Covid-19 situation at the time – brought only worry and concern to those in the travel industry. The number of travelers dropped significantly throughout the month – as low as 1.3m on some days – as a mixture of contributing factors such as the Delta variant and struggling airlines kept travelers at home. However, hope is once more on the horizon.
Travel figures picked up significantly over the past few days, as Americans decided to travel for Labor Day weekend once more. Last Thursday saw 1.9m travelers pass through TSA checkpoints, whilst Friday recorded more than 2.1m passengers on the move. Impressive in their own right, the figures were also close to their respective 2019 totals of 2.1m and 2.2m respectively – restoring a sense of normality to the battered travel industry.
The figures reported by the TSA only apply to the number of travelers making their way via air. The total number of people going traveling for Labor Dayis much higher, with one survey revealing that around 51 million Americans planned to travel over the past weekend. More than one-third of those traveling said that they would travel out of state, with Florida named as the most popular destination for those leaving their state.
The high number of people traveling for Labor Day comes despite the CDC asking many people to stay at home. Due to the rising rates of Covid-19 across the US, the CDC asked unvaccinated travelers to stay at home due to fears of the virus spreading further. “As people across the country prepare for Labor Day weekend, it’s critical that being vaccinated is part of their pre-holiday checklist,” the White House Covid-19 Response coordinator Jeff Zients added to the CDC's recommendations.
Seen by many as the final days of summer before school and other commitments resume, travel numbers were always going to be high other Labor Day weekend. Coupled with the rising prices of international travel and the extra restrictions placed on Americans by several countries after the US was designated as unsafe by the EU, traveling domestically was bound to be a more attractive proposition for many.
In the coming weeks, the travel industry will keep a keen eye on the number of Americans traveling by air. Should the figures remain high and close to 2019's figures, it may be a closer reflection on the current state of travel in the US.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Witness
Tuesday 7th of September 2021
If people are still scared of this or were ever scared they have lived extremely monotonous lifestyles with very little risk assessment involved. Until I'm stepping over bodies in the street and people are wearing real masks, not a thong on their face I just can't deal with the stupidity. I take pity on the way you lived before this that you gained no critical comparative knowledge. Even if things ever got that bad I would still live my best life with my favorite people until I died. I am ok with death..I'm not ok with merely existing or being told what to do with my body. No one in my family is ok with any of this nonsense. Enough is enough...cases cases cases... my family has seen way worse than any of this thanks to our ever so caring government (sarcasm). Little secret..they don't give a flying ! About your health.
Martina
Tuesday 7th of September 2021
I am proud of my fellow Americans not letting the lame stream media and the government scare them with fear mongering tactics.
garrytravel
Tuesday 7th of September 2021
I admire the yolo spirit of Americans. Noone knows the future, though it likely be a vaccine defeating variant, lockdowns, new vaccine scramble, more vax passport rules. Getting covid is not the best option either, but all the countermeasures just prolong the process.
Liberty
Monday 6th of September 2021
People aren't scared to travel because they know the virus has an overwhelmingly high survival rate. Not only is it not deadly to the vast majority, but a new Israeli study confirms natural immunity is better than vaccinated immunity. When I had it, people I knew were worried. But it wasn't bad at all. All I could think of at that point was "That was it?" Good on Americans for traveling and living life again. Living in fear is for those dead inside.
Vinny the Adventurer
Monday 6th of September 2021
Good.