GULF SHORES, Ala. — If the projections prove to be accurate, more Americans will be traveling for vacations over the Memorial Day holiday weekend than they did last year. 

Business owners, condo rental agencies and restaurateurs along the Gulf Coast are hoping that to be the case.

Last week, AAA projected holiday travel should increase 1.5 percent over last year with approximately 32.4 million travelers taking trips of 50 miles or more away from home.

Last year, 31.9 million Americans traveled during Memorial Day weekend, dramatically down from 35.3 million in 2007.

“Last year, soaring gas prices and a deteriorating economy resulted in far fewer trips being taken than had been forecasted,” said Clay Ingram, AAA Alabama spokesperson. “The good news is sharply lower gasoline prices and plentiful travel bargains have Americans feeling better about taking a road trip this summer which should help tourism-based economic activity throughout the nation.”

AAA says that 83 percent of all travelers will be doing so by automobile, an increase over last year when they were paying some of the highest fuel prices on record.

Here in south Baldwin County, many are hoping that special vacation packages, hot deals on lodging, golf courses and white, sandy beaches will attract a crowd.

“Memorial Day is traditionally regarded as the start of our summer season,” said Mike Foster, vice-president of marketing for the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We are positioned well since people are looking for a value-packed, drive-to destination. With our superb clean beaches attracting millions from the Southeast and Midwest, we are proud to be a family friendly destination that offers an accommodation, activity or meal for every preference and budget.”

With gas prices down from last year, and nice weather in the forecast, law enforcement and emergency services are preparing for large crowds as well.

According to Orange Beach assistant police chief Greg Duck, they are not anticipating any problems, but will have a full force prepared and ready, just in case.

“Normally, Memorial Day weekend runs pretty smooth. We will double up our shifts, so plenty of officers will be available if there are problems,” Duck said.

In Gulf Shores, Fire Chief Hartley Brokenshaw is making sure that all of his firemen work over Memorial Day weekend should there be a need from vacationers.

“Nobody will be off. We will be fully manned at all three of our stations,” Brokenshaw said.

There are several local events scheduled that are expected to bring in interested tourists such as the Red Snapper World Championship, the 2009 Visiting Artist and Exhibition at the Orange Beach Arts Center, the LuLu Palooza Music Festival, and the Pepsi Star Series concert featuring Three Dog Night and America at The Wharf Amphitheater.