Labor Day travel expected to rise

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 3 (UPI) -- The number of Americans traveling on the Labor Day holiday will be almost 10 percent more than a year ago, AAA says.

More than 34 million people will take a trip at least 50 miles from home, the travel service organization said Friday. That's up 9.9 percent from a year ago, when 31 million traveled.

The 2010 Labor Day travel period started Thursday and ends Monday, AAA said.

"While media reports on the state of the U.S. economy are mixed, many Americans are still interested in taking one more trip as the summer travel season comes to a close," said Glen MacDonell, director of AAA Travel Services. "It is encouraging to see more Americans planning to travel to visit family, friends and exciting vacation destinations."

AAA travel agents reported increased hotel, car and vacation reservations over last year, MacDonell said.

The travel organization has more than 50 million members. Its forecast is based on information provided by the Boston economic research and consulting firm IHS Global Insight.