New data from Travelocity shows increase in airfares, hotel rates for July 4th weekend

SOUTHLAKE, Texas – June 4, 2013 – With travel costs up for hotel and airfare, travelers are likely to spend more for the July 4^th holiday weekend this year, according to Travelocity’s latest booking data. Travelocity indicates a slight 0.4 percent increase for domestic airfare and a 1 percent increase for international airfare in a year-over-year comparison. Additionally, the booking data shows hotel costs are up, with close to an 8 percent increase for average daily domestic rates and a nearly 14 percent increase for average daily international rates. “Despite the decrease in price we saw for flights for Memorial Day weekend, airfare is up slightly year over year for July4^th weekend,” said Courtney Scott, senior editor at Travelocity. “Travelers should not wait to book when finding a good deal as prices will most likely increase as the holiday draws near.”  The average cost of a domestic round-trip flight for July 4^th weekend is $384, with international travel averaging $930 round-trip. The average daily rate for a domestic hotel is $168 – an 8 percent increase year over year. Internationally, rates are averaging $221 a night, a 14 percent increase from last year. Scott advises travelers to think of these prices as the “price to beat” and use them as a gauge when shopping for a July 4^th vacation. “Whether you are planning ahead or booking last-minute, booking packages (flight + hotel) are a great way for travelers to save and help offset rising travel costs,” Scott added. This July 4^th Travelocity encourages you to “Go and Seize the Summer” with up to 50 percent off published rates for GoodBuy Hotels and Vacation Packages.  For more summer travel inspiration, subscribe to Travelocity’s new weekly travel series, Let’s Roam and follow our blog, The Window Seat.