Summer is right around the corner and domestic summer travel is heating up. Memorial Day marks the unofficial start to summer and according to new research from Future Partners, which tracks travel sentiment nationwide, nearly eight in ten travelers have at least one leisure trip planned between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Among the trips planned, most are expected to take place within the United States, with 67% destined for domestic locations. Summer travelers are reported to prioritize trip experiences that focus on outdoor settings with beaches leading the list of desired summer experiences at 41%, scenic drives at 27% and visits to state or national parks at 27%. The 250th anniversary of the United States is also prompting more travelers to explore domestically. National Parks, California and Alaska are favorites for Central Pennsylvania travelers, AAA Central Penn reports.
“This summer will be a historic season for domestic travel, especially as we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary,” said AAA Central Penn President and CEO Jodie Daubert. “Whether it’s the rugged landscapes of Alaska, the majestic redwoods or sunny beaches of California, or the iconic trails of national parks across the U.S., Central Pennsylvanians are eager to get outdoors. If flying, remember to add a REAL ID to your packing list. We remind travelers to obtain a REAL ID so they can spend more time making memories, not facing delays at the airport.”
AAA Central Penn reminds Central Pennsylvanians who are planning to travel by air or visit certain Federal facilities to save time and avoid travel obstacles by obtaining a REAL ID. All 50 states including Pennsylvania, as well as the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories, are REAL ID compliant and are issuing REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses and IDs.
All U.S. residents need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID to board domestic flights, unless they can present a valid U.S. passport, U.S. passport card or state-issued enhanced driver’s license that also serves as proof of U.S. citizenship. If U.S. travelers are unable to provide the required acceptable form of ID at a TSA checkpoint, travelers must pay a $45 fee to use TSA ConfirmID.
To check if a driver’s license or ID is REAL ID-compliant, license or cardholders can look for a star at the top of their card. For more information about REAL ID and to apply for pre-verification online, visit the Pennsylvania’s REAL ID webpage. More information also is available at www.dhs.gov/real-id.
