Mexico Emerges as Summer Travel Hot Spot
Phoenix, Ariz. May 2, 2008 – Droves of Americans are planning to travel outside of the country this summer, according to AAA’s summer forecast for foreign travel. The report, released this morning, reveals an overall increase in international travel this summer, with Mexico proving to be the destination drawing in the most travelers from across the state and country.
“Despite the downturn in the current economy, the findings of this report prove that Americans view travel as a necessity,” said Don Nunnari, vice president of membership products and services for AAA Arizona. “Consumers might rearrange their travel budget or shorten their vacation by a day or two, but they are certainly still traveling this summer and do not find abroad-bound destinations beyond their reach.”
Nationwide, 25.1 million Americans have plans to travel outside the country this summer, an increase of 2.6 percent over last year. Travelers from the mountain states, including Arizona, will comprise over one million vacationers with international plans, an increase of 3.4 percent from last year.
China and India are expected to see the largest increases in travel from the U.S., with increases of more than 13 percent over last summer. However, the majority of American travelers, 5.8 million, are planning to vacation in Mexico, which is an increase of 1.3 percent over last year.
“Locally, we have seen a 24 percent increase in Mexico travel among our members over the last year,” said Nunnari. “This explosive growth proves that Mexico has emerged as a leader among international destinations.”
While the majority of international vacationers will travel without incident, safety is a common concern among travelers leaving the country. In fact, this week, the State Department issued a travel alert for Mexico, citing increased violence at border cities. However, the agency also noted that the recent surge in violence is not generally targeted towards tourists.
No matter the destination, it is important for travelers to take the proper precautions and exercise common sense during their travels. To ensure an incident-free trip, AAA Arizona would like to offer Mexico-bound travelers the following tips, which are also advisable in all foreign countries:
Be prepared for border requirement laws. U.S. citizens 19 years of age or older planning to cross the border by way of motor vehicle will be required to present a government-issued photo ID and proof of citizenship, while citizens 18 or younger will be required to present proof of citizenship. All citizens traveling to Mexico by air will be required to present a passport upon their return to the U.S.
If traveling by vehicle, buy Mexico auto insurance. American auto insurance is not valid in Mexico and motorists who cannot provide proper insurance documentation to authorities could be subject to arrest. Motorists interested in purchasing affordable Mexico auto insurance can do so at any AAA branch office or by visiting http://www.aaaaz.com/insurance/mexico.htm.
Pack smart. Avoid being a target by leaving expensive-looking jewelry and other valuables at home. Also, only pack what you must. The more you take with you, the more you will have to keep an eye on during your stay.
Bring copies of important documents including your passport, birth certificate and driver’s license and store them separate from the originals. If any of these documents are lost or stolen, copies of these documents will make replacing them much easier.
Leave a copy of your itinerary and important phone numbers with a friend or family member at home in case they need to contact you in an emergency.
Register your travel with the State Department so that you may be contacted in case of a family emergency in the U.S. or because of a crisis in the area in which you are traveling. Travel registration is provided by the State Department for free, and can be accomplished by visiting https://travelregistration.state.gov.
Consider purchasing travel insurance. Remember that not all travel insurance is equal. Before adding to your trip, know what you are purchasing and what it will cover in the case of a flight cancellation or other trip interruptions.
AAA’s summer forecast for foreign travel was commissioned by AAA and produced by Global Insight, an international economic forecasting firm.
AAA Arizona, the Arizona affiliate of AAA, provides automotive, insurance and auto travel services to nearly 800,000 Arizona members. Annually, AAA’s Emergency Road Service responds to more than 450,000 calls for help on the streets and highways of the state as well as providing insurance, travel, and financial services to AAA members and motorists. Since its founding in 1927, AAA Arizona has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.
|
