Economist says Memorial Day weekend could restart economy amid pandemic
Updated: 8:31 PM EDT May 27, 2021
The unofficial start to summer is here and this Memorial Day weekend promises to help jump start the economy, lagging from the COVID-19 pandemic.|| COVID-19 updates | Maryland’s latest numbers | Get tested | Vaccine Info ||From Thursday through Monday, AAA is predicting more than 37 million people nationwide will be traveling. A sign that things are slowly returning to normal.Analysts said Memorial Day travel will be busy this year with pent up demand from last year.”Given the fact that many people are now vaccinated here in Maryland and the restrictions have been lifted for COVID, I think the only hindrance to having an all-out three day weekend is probably the weather,” said Daraius Irani, chief economist of RESI at Towson University.Officials with AAA are predicting a 60% increase in travel over last year, still lower than 2019, but a nice rebound from the pandemic. Most will be traveling by car.”Obviously, our hospitality and tourism sector are probably poised to recover partially from last year. Obviously, dining establishments are going to see a big boost. Some of the sporting venues are going to see a big boost in attendance,” Irani said.”I’m excited for it. Like, I’m ready to go back and live my life, so I kind of feel like I don’t even know what to do now with summer coming because it’s been so long since I’ve been able to enjoy myself,” said Desiree Hargett, a driver.Irani thinks this is only the beginning. As more people get vaccinated, people will continue to venture out more throughout the summer. A welcome change for most Marylanders.”Definitely for the businesses — the small businesses, I’m rooting for them because they definitely need that help right now, so that’s really good. I’d like to see people out more celebrating the holiday, helping out all businesses, honestly,” said Manar Abdalla, a driver.Irani said this summer, he expects Ocean City, Western Maryland and downtown Baltimore to draw big crowds. His advice: Get out and enjoy it.”Take advantage of the fact that for many of us, we haven’t been out amongst company for 15 months, so it’s a time to celebrate that we’ve come this far,” Irani said. Irani said he expects business travel to start to pick up again soon.
BALTIMORE —
The unofficial start to summer is here and this Memorial Day weekend promises to help jump start the economy, lagging from the COVID-19 pandemic.
|| COVID-19 updates | Maryland’s latest numbers | Get tested | Vaccine Info ||
From Thursday through Monday, AAA is predicting more than 37 million people nationwide will be traveling. A sign that things are slowly returning to normal.
Analysts said Memorial Day travel will be busy this year with pent up demand from last year.
“Given the fact that many people are now vaccinated here in Maryland and the restrictions have been lifted for COVID, I think the only hindrance to having an all-out three day weekend is probably the weather,” said Daraius Irani, chief economist of RESI at Towson University.
Officials with AAA are predicting a 60% increase in travel over last year, still lower than 2019, but a nice rebound from the pandemic. Most will be traveling by car.
“Obviously, our hospitality and tourism sector are probably poised to recover partially from last year. Obviously, dining establishments are going to see a big boost. Some of the sporting venues are going to see a big boost in attendance,” Irani said.
“I’m excited for it. Like, I’m ready to go back and live my life, so I kind of feel like I don’t even know what to do now with summer coming because it’s been so long since I’ve been able to enjoy myself,” said Desiree Hargett, a driver.
Irani thinks this is only the beginning. As more people get vaccinated, people will continue to venture out more throughout the summer. A welcome change for most Marylanders.
“Definitely for the businesses — the small businesses, I’m rooting for them because they definitely need that help right now, so that’s really good. I’d like to see people out more celebrating the holiday, helping out all businesses, honestly,” said Manar Abdalla, a driver.
Irani said this summer, he expects Ocean City, Western Maryland and downtown Baltimore to draw big crowds. His advice: Get out and enjoy it.
“Take advantage of the fact that for many of us, we haven’t been out amongst company for 15 months, so it’s a time to celebrate that we’ve come this far,” Irani said.
Irani said he expects business travel to start to pick up again soon.
>>>ad: Don't Miss TODAY'S BEST Amazon Deals!
Originally Appeared Here