CORONAVIRUS

COVID-19 creates ‘bummer summer’ for travel

Rene Ray De La Cruz
rdelacruz@vvdailypress.com
Travelers are expected to make fewer trips this Fourth of July weekend and throughout the summer as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, AAA reports.

VICTORVILLE— Fourth of July weekend travel plans and celebrations won’t look like years past due to public health restrictions and concerns brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. travel experts said the pandemic and its effects, including various state restrictions on gatherings, have made travel forecasts for the Independence Day holiday and summer a near impossibility.

After canceling its annual Memorial Day travel forecast due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Automobile Association of America issued a 2020 summer travel forecast that covers July through September.

Travelers in the U.S. will make over 700 million trips over the next three months, which is nearly 120 million fewer trips than last year, AAA reported.

Were it not for the COVID-19 pandemic, "AAA would be projecting 857 million trips in the third quarter, a 3.6% increase over last year. By this analysis, the pandemic wiped out nearly 150 million person-trips this summer."

Automotive travel will account for 97% of all trips and air travel will be significantly restrained during the third quarter, AAA reported. The forecast for air travel volume of 15.1 million is expected to be 74% below last year’s levels.

Travel by other modes — namely bus, rail and cruise ship — will see a decrease similar to air travel, as the expected volumen of 9.3 million expected travel volume is 86% below the level seen in 2019.

The overall 14.6% decline in travel is primarily because of reduced air travel, according to AAA. "The forecast air travel volume of 15.1 million will be 74% below last year's levels."

The AAA forecast projects bus, rail and cruise ship travel will see a decrease similar to air travel, as the expected travel volume of 9.3 million is 86% below the level seen in 2019.

“Beyond mapping your route in advance, it is important to book hotels and plan out gas and food stops,” said AAA Senior Vice President of Travel Paula Twidale in a statement. “Also, keep in mind that some national parks and attractions have capacity limits, so if there is a must-do activity on your trip, you’ll want to make arrangements for these in advance.”

Several residents told the Daily Press they’re staying home after canceling or modifying plans for the Fourth of July weekend or summer vacations.

“We had a lakefront cabin in Big Bear that we just canceled because they just canceled the Fourth of July fireworks,” said businessman Jay Jaime, who lives in Hesperia.

The City of Big Bear Lake on Wednesday postponed of its annual fireworks show to late summer or fall.

On Wednesday, Barstow Mayor Julie Hackbarth-McIntyre and City of Victorville spokeswoman Sue Jones told the Daily Press that their cities’ fireworks displays had not been canceled.

Barstow’s 23rd annual Fireworks Spectacular will begin at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Robert A. Sessions Memorial Sportspark, 2800 Mayor Katy Parkway.

Victorville’s show is scheduled for 9 p.m. Saturday at the SBC Fairgrounds, 14800 Seventh Street.

Apple Valley will also proceed with its fireworks show, with a modification to parking, according to town spokesman Orlando Acevedo.

“We will now close the parking area south of Otoe Road, across from the park,” Acevedo said. “We are also asking our residents not to congregate with persons outside of their households.”

The town’s display is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. Saturday at Lenny Brewster Park, 21024 Otoe Road. During the show, patriotic music will be simulcast on 106.5 FM.

The entertainment and activities that usually precede the pyrotechnic show have been canceled due to the state’s ban on large festivals and gatherings, the Daily Press previously reported.

Calling it a “bummer summer,” Donald Tatera said COVID-19 has put a huge damper on his and his wife’s fun.

“Thus far this year, we have 27 concerts, and or festivals that have been postponed,” said Tatera, who lives in Apple Valley. “Kim and I have had to cancel a week-long trip to Palm Springs, Napa Valley and New Orleans. Until the world feels safe enough to travel, we are not going anywhere.”

Former 33rd Assembly District candidate Michelle Ambrozic said she and her family will view the Lake Arrowhead fireworks show on Saturday, but their summer plans have been re-routed.

“We were supposed to go to Colorado then New Mexico, but New Mexico's stringent and unpredictable guidelines had us rearrange to now go Colorado and South Dakota,” Ambrozic said. “We love it there and everything is open for business ... (We) figured we'd spend the money in a state that wants it.”

Marie Caruso said she and her husband canceled their plans to explore the U.S. because of health restrictions in each state.

“We went to Laughlin last week and it was kind of depressing,” Caruso said. “We’re staying home on the Fourth of July.”

Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227, or by email at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.