SYRACUSE, NY (WRVO) - This is a summer travel season like no other. The coronavirus has changed the way people are traveling this year, but people are still taking trips.
There’s a kind of Jekyll and Hyde aspect when it comes to planning a trip this summer, according to AAA of Western and Central New York. There is pent up demand for travel, but people are worried according to Dan Fisher of Triple-A.
"People are thinking about changing their destination," said Dan Fisher, Fleet Operations Assistant Manager for AAA. "They still want to travel. But they're changing their destination because maybe of restrictions in Arizona, they want to make sure the attractions they plan on are open as well."
New Yorkers are also taking into consideration Governor Cuomo’s growing travel advisory list of states with high levels of coronavirus, that require anyone who visits those states to self quarantine for two weeks, when they return home.
"One of the trends we’re really seeing across the western New York and central New York regions is some saying 'I’m going to stay right here in New York State.'," said AAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Carey. "We see a lot of people booking trips to the Thousand Islands, the Finger Lakes, up into the Adirondacks. People saying 'I'm going to enjoy what we have to offer right here.' They’re going out hiking at state parks, they’re out searching for waterfalls. Different experiences.
Carey said the other different thing this year is that more people are driving. 97% of travelers plan to drive, compared to 87% in past years. Carey said whatever the plans, the most important thing travelers need to do is plan ahead.
"This isn’t the summer to hop in the car on a whim, take a road trip and find a motel along the way to stay at," Carey said. "You should really make reservations in advance to make sure you have a place to stay. And with the brand name hotels, they do have cleanliness policies updated."