Travelers are getting back into the groove

Friday, May 24, 2002 | 10:13 a.m.

The roadways will be jammed and the airport will be packed Memorial Day weekend, sure signs that the tourist industry is on an upswing after the devastating effects of Sept. 11.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority expects 276,000 people to visit this weekend, filling about 95 percent of the valley's 126,394 hotel rooms. That is only a 0.4 percent increase over last Memorial Day, but spokesperson Erika Brandvik said the LVCVA is excited about any improvement.

"We used to frown if we had a flat month-to-month, but now we are perfectly happy with that," Brandvik said. "We are still in recovery mode, but things are starting to look up.'

AAA Nevada projects a 1 percent increase in Nevadans traveling this holiday weekend. Using survey results, the company predicts more than 292,700 Nevadans will travel at least 50 miles from their homes, with Southern California theme parks serving as premier attractions.

"Although the increase in travel over last year is small, it's a boost to the industry's morale," AAA Nevada spokeswoman Lisa Foster said.

The automobile association's survey found that the majority of the weekend travelers -- 81 percent -- are driving. Foster said the 2 percent increase in those driving can be attributed both to Sept. 11 and to lower gasoline prices. Prices averaged $1.84 per gallon last May; this year the average is $1.46.

"I think that though air travel is higher than it has been since Sept. 11, it is still on the upswing," Foster said. "We are still in the process of getting back to normal since Sept. 11. Gas is still a relatively good deal, especially when you compare it to last year."

McCarran International Airport spokeswoman Debbie Millett said the airport expects 400,000 people to fly in and out over the weekend, and recommends passengers arrive two hours early for all flights to get through the holiday traffic.

Brandvik said traffic on the roadways in and out of Southern Nevada increased 14 percent this calendar year. More traffic means more accidents, so Trooper Alan Davidson said that the Nevada Highway Patrol will be working overtime to deter speeders and enforce the seat belt law. Metro Police plan to set up DUI checkpoints throughout the weekend.

Foster advised drivers to avoid the major traffic crunch Friday and Monday afternoon by traveling earlier. She also said to have the car properly maintained, to plan the route ahead of time and to never drive fatigued.