Air, road and rail travel across the nation could soon return to pre-Sept. 11, 2001, levels for the first time, powered by a summer season that begins today and could reach record levels despite all-time-high gas prices and heightened terror warnings, tourism officials say. Large numbers of Americans are finally comfortable enough with their fears and their bank accounts to set aside concerns about terrorism, the economy and the war in Iraq — if only for a long weekend — and have some adventure and relaxation, the officials say. Air travel is up almost 5 percent for the first few months of 2004 compared with last year, and April travel was up 10 percent over 2003, the Travel Industry Association of America said. That trend was reflected at Reagan National Airport, where parking lots were full in March for the first time since early 2001, and at Baltimore-Washington International Airport, which has experienced double-digit increases in passengers this year. Full Story
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