of Teacherresource
By Robert Bradley Jr.
The fourth week of July will see spirits come and go. The celebration is another reminder that modern life revolves around activities that naturally emit the “gas of life” – carbon dioxide.
Peak demand? No, just the opposite. Record driving, flying, and exploring; Record the grill; Record fireworks.
driving
“Nearly 71 million people are expected to travel during the week of July 4,” predicts the American Automobile Association. “This year’s Independence Day forecast exceeded pre-pandemic numbers, setting a new record.” Here’s the full story:
AAA projects a record 60.6 million people will travel by car over the week of Independence Day – which is an additional 2.8 million trips compared to last year. This year’s number also surpassed 2019 when 55.3 million people traveled by car during the week of July 4th….
Affordability? Still going strong despite Biden’s best efforts to reduce oil supply.
Gas prices are lower than last year when the national average was $3.53. Pump prices will continue to drop until Independence Day. At that point, it is likely to level off and remain stable until after Labor Day, similar to last year. An important caveat is hurricane season — now underway — could affect gas prices if the storm affects oil production and Gulf Coast refineries.
fly
AAA also commented on other modes of transportation.
The number of air trips is also expected to set a new record. AAA projects 5.74 million people will fly to July 4Th destination. That’s up nearly 7% from last year and up 12% in 2019. AAA booking data shows domestic airfares are 2% cheaper this Independence Day week than last year, and the average price for a domestic round-trip ticket is $800.
Other Transportation
“More than 4.6 million people are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, including buses, cruise ships, and trains,” notes AAA. “This category increased by 9% compared to last year, but this year’s number is less than the 2019 figure of 4.79 million.”
The latest luxury transportation is by boat. AAA report:
Cruises continue to make remarkable post-pandemic returns. This time, Alaska cruises are in high demand, making Seattle and Anchorage the top domestic destinations. Cruisers are also finding deals this summer. With new ships coming to market – and going at a premium – some cruise lines are already offering discounts aimed at filling old inventory for remaining cabins.
Grill
Grills have seen significant growth in the United States in recent years,” AI summarizes, “with outdoor cooking industry revenue growing to $6.1 billion in 2021, a 14% increase from the previous year.”
According to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA), 80% of US homeowners will own a grill or smoker in 2023, up from 64% in 2019. NPD reports that US consumers will purchase more than 21 million grills and smokers between July 2020 and 2022, with 27% of new grill owners cited cooking more at home during COVID as a reason for purchase.
The North American barbecue grill market is expected to reach $3.2 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7% from 2022 to 2028. 2032, driven by growing interest in home cooking as a hobby or leisure activity.
Fireworks
It was boomtime with fireworks, with July Fourth being the “big day.” The American Pyrotechnics Association reports:
We are expecting a banner year for fireworks sales. Despite inflationary pressures, ocean shipping rates have fallen since the supply chain crisis during COVID-19, making consumer fireworks more affordable this year by 5-10%.
“Our member companies are reporting strong consumer fireworks sales numbers, and we predict revenues could top $2.4 billion for the 2024 fireworks season,” said Julie L. Heckman, APA Executive Director.