AAA Travel expects the vast majority of Americans to stay home this holiday season. Public health concerns and travel guidance are influencing their decisions not to travel over the year-end holidays, a period that typically sees high demand for vacations.

While AAA expects at least 34 million fewer travelers compared to last year’s holiday season, as many as 84.5 million Americans may still travel from Dec. 23 through Jan. 3, a decline in travel of at least 29 percent.

Virginians are expected to follow the same trend with nearly 31 percent fewer people expected to travel this holiday season. “With the commonwealth’s COVID-19 cases on the rise and new restrictions taking effect Dec. 14, this decline could be even more significant,” said Holly Dalby, director of public affairs for AAA Tidewater Virginia.

“While Thanksgiving is traditionally spent gathering with friends and family, the year-end holidays are when Americans often venture out for longer, more elaborate vacations. ...