PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. We’re now in that busy summer season, and the world’s most beautiful beaches are expected to attract millions again this year. According to AAA, this Memorial Day Weekend is projected to be the busiest one yet in the United States. The roadside assistance company estimates 45.1 million people will be on the move this weekend, a majority traveling by car and flight. But trains, buses, and cruises have started to gain popularity and are recovering since the pandemic, showing an increase of over 8% since last year. One man visiting from Kentucky said he didn’t run into any traffic on the way down, but he isn’t confident the return home will be as smooth. “I think I’ll be a little more,” Christopher McLevain said. “Because people are leaving. Everything is exciting. It’s everybody’s weekend; everybody is going to be gone,” he continued. “Vacation is going to be over for some people., while for other people it may not.”

Gulf Coast Jam kicks off this week, bringing a whole slew of people. With the Fourth of July around the corner, we can expect a lot more people in our area.