Home › Business › Local Business
AAA: Duke City is least pricey vacation spot
Cheap trip
Albuquerque is the least expensive city in which to spend a vacation, according to AAA's survey of average daily travel costs in 49 U.S. cities. The survey shows the average daily cost for a family of four at AAA-approved lodgings and restaurants. Here are the top five cities at both ends of the cost spectrum:
Least expensive
1. Albuquerque - $165.05
2. Wichita, Kan. - $168.97
3. Mesa, Ariz. - $179.54
4. Oklahoma City - $181.02
5. Tulsa, Okla. - $184.50
Most expensive
1. Honolulu - $583.66
2. New York - $523.62
3. Miami-Miami Beach - $408.91
4. San Diego - $339.45
5. San Francisco - $338.73
More Local Business
- Mineral leases concern residents in eastern New Mexico
- PNM: Power Saver plan would reduce electricity use in peak demand cycle
- Air-bag waiver brings Tesla car plant one step closer to Albuquerque
MOST RECENT TRIB STORIES
-
ABQTrib.com to remain available
08:48 a.m., February 25, 2008 -
Congressman is indicted
08:37 a.m., February 23, 2008 -
Series of attacks target Green Zone
08:36 a.m., February 23, 2008 -
Iran is defying U.N., agency says
08:35 a.m., February 23, 2008 -
Waterboarding approval probed
08:34 a.m., February 23, 2008
TRIB IN THE BLOGOSPHERE*
- Ty Murray Invitational thrills fans in Albuquerque
- Is Rome Burning?
- Ominous Skies
- The Road to Invalidation
- Albuquerque company participates in “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
*Note: The Tribune does not create and is not responsible for the blogosphere's headlines and stories. These links to blogs talking about ABQTrib.com are automatically generated. Use them at your own risk.
STORY TOOLS
SHARE THIS STORY [?]
The Duke City's tourism promoters might need to add an extra word to their catchy slogan.
Albuquerque isn't just a trip.
It's a cheap trip.
AAA on Wednesday released its first-ever vacation-cost survey for U.S. cities, placing Albuquerque atop the rankings of least-expensive places to visit.
Or maybe there's a better way of saying it.
"I would say `best value' maybe," said Tania Armenta, vice president of tourism and communications at the Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau.
A round trip ride on the Sandia Peak Tram: $17
The average cost of travel for a family of four in Albuquerque is $165.05 a day, based upon AAA's survey of approved lodgings and restaurants in 49 U.S. cities. That breaks down to a $97.41 for a room and $67.64 for meals.
That's about $13 cheaper than the national average of $178.40 a day, and almost $419 less than in Honolulu, which at $583.66 a day is the nation's most expensive city in which to travel.
Huevos Rancheros Deluxe at the Barelas Coffee House: $5.70
Nationwide, the cost to hit the road this summer is up 3.7 percent from a year earlier.
"Rate increases for lodgings are mostly a result of supply and demand, especially in major markets," Ana Gonzalez, regional manager for AAA New Mexico, said in a news release. "For both lodgings and restaurants, rising energy costs, as well as salary and benefit costs, are certainly having an impact."
A Route 66 shot glass at the Covered Wagon in Old Town: $1.99
AAA has tracked vacation costs for states since 1950, when the average daily cost of meals and lodging for a family of four was $13.
This year, New Mexico is the 43rd most expensive state, with an average travel cost of $216.42 a day.
"Being an affordable destination is a good benefit for Albuquerque," Armenta said. "With so many offerings at such an affordable price, that's what makes Albuquerque such a great value from a visitor's standpoint."
Eighteen holes of golf mid-week at Paa-Ko Ridge in Sandia Park: $79
In a city that values its placement upon lists, Armenta said the convention bureau will gladly tout the city's placement in the AAA survey.
Just don't call the city cheap.
"Saying something is inexpensive is one thing," she said. "But when you equate the quality of the experience with it being affordable, then you come up with the best value."
