AAA: More families plan to get away in 2018

It's March in Western New York and there's still snow on the ground. That's enough to have anyone dreaming of vacation, and it turns out an estimated 88 million Americans are planning to take family trips this year. 

AAA just released the results of a new survey on family travel. The research shows more millennials are traveling than their baby boomer parents -- 44 percent of millennials are planning a family getaway compared to just 32 percent of baby boomers.

"Just like generations before them, millennials see a family vacation as one of the best ways to create memories and reconnect with loved ones," said Bill Sutherland, AAA senior vice president of Travel and Publishing. "No matter their age, families are going on not just one, but multiple vacations throughout the year to revisit favorite destinations and experience new places."

AAA expects family trips abroad to be a hot trend in 2018. Of families who will take a trip this year, 35 percent plan to visit an international destination – a nine percentage point increase from just two years ago.

Based on advance travel bookings, AAA predicts the top five most likely international destinations for families will be Cancun, Mexico; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Rome, Italy; and Dublin, Ireland.

For trips within the United States, families are still choosing road trips. Nearly two-thirds of families say they will hit the road to get to their travel destinations. This, despite the highest gas prices since 2014.

Families are also taking more trips per year. More than one in four traveling families will take three or more family vacations this year. That's a 12 percentage point increase from 2016.

They're also seeking out new experiences. AAA says nearly three-quarters of traveling families will go to a place they've never previously visited. When it comes to the type of experience, families are choosing beaches and mountains, opportunities for sightseeing, as well as opportunities for relaxation.

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