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Old May 23rd, 2005, 12:41 AM
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I need help with a homework assignment!!

Hi everyone, I am a freshman at the University of San Diego and I am in a media writing / journalism class. Our final assignment is to write a feature story (something of public interest that is not breaking news). I am going to London this summer for 3 weeks to study abroad and then I am traveling around to Ireland, Paris, and Venice for another 3 weeks. I have become addicted to the Fodors boards while trying to plan my trip. So I chose American travel abroad as my subject, and I was wondering if you guys can help me. I have already written most of the paper, but what my paper is missing is quotes. So I was hoping that a few people could answer these some questions for me. Thank you Fodorites!

These questions are for Americans traveling abroad:

1. Is traveling today harder than it used to be, is there any reason?
2. Do you travel less than you used to for any reason?
3. Do the terror-threat-levels effect whether or not you go abroad?
4. Do you change travel plans due to terror levels?
5. Do the currency exchange rates stop you from traveling as much or to a certain place?
6. Does the Iraqi war have any effect on the amount you travel or where you go to?
7. If money is an issue, do you choose to go less often or do you opt for a less expensive trip?
8. Do outbreaks like SARS scare you into traveling less?
9. Is security an issue for you? Whether you will be safe in your destination? Whether you will get to your destination safely?
10. What is it that makes people love to travel?

I don't want to inconvienence anyone, so you don't have to go through and do each question, especially since some may be repetitive. If you could just give me a few sentences or what ever works for you, i would be so greatful... thanks!
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Old May 23rd, 2005, 01:49 AM
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J62
 
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1. Travel today is actually far easier than it was just 20 years ago. The advent of the internet has made information gathering and sharing a breeze. The single Euro currency takes away the hassle and confusion of frequent money exchange. Electronic commerce and the use of ATMs and credit cards simplifies money handling and bill paying. And the elimination of border checks within Western Europe makes travel from one country as simple as crossing state lines.

2. No I travel far more now than I used to. My income has risen over time so I can afford to travel. The global business economy brings me to far corners of the globe on a frequent basis as well.

3,4. Terror threat levels do not change any of my travel plans. Annoying as it is sometimes to endure an increase in security screening, I am always patient with the delays it sometimes brings.

5. The strength of the Euro vs the US Dollar does have me second guessing my next leisure trip to Europe.

6. No
7. Yes
8. No.
9. Security is an concern, but not an overriding fear. To make myself more comfortable and more informed, I do my homework before a trip. I find out what places I should avoid, how do I get from point a to point b, etc.

10. Chocolate
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Old May 23rd, 2005, 02:17 AM
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1. Probably easier, especially with the bottomless information you can pull from Internet.

2. I actually travel more now because I'm a lot more established financially.

3,4,5,6 No - I went to NYC shortly after the 9/11 to visit a college friend. I didn't mind the delay due to security check. I'd rather be late than sorry.

7. Money is always going to be an issue I'd probably spend close to $10K this year on travel alone, but I would have gone on more trips if I could. So what I do instead is I try to balance out the cost between all of the trips that I plan to take (i.e.: book the 3* hotel instead of 5*, go to fancy dinners a few times during my 2-wk trip instead of every night, and limit my souvenir shopping etc). I originally wanted to take a couple of short weekend trips in the US to visit friends, but I probably would just end up with 3 international trips this year.

8,9. No. Maybe I should. But the excitement of exploring something new outweighs my worries on the negative things.

10. I get to explore different cultures, see new things, eat like the locals and just enjoy the different wonders that the world offers...

Good luck with your paper!
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Old May 23rd, 2005, 02:34 AM
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Venice, as a working journalist, I suggest you ask people to email you with their comments AND their full names. I don't know how impressed a journalism professor will be with a direct quote attributed merely to "J62" (just an example, nothing against J62 or his/her post!).
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Old May 23rd, 2005, 02:37 AM
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Amen, BTilke!
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Old May 23rd, 2005, 03:09 AM
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Nothing will "deep-six" that project faster than improper use of words/spelling errors such as the word "effect" in Question 3.

I know it's picky but you need to very careful.
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Old May 23rd, 2005, 03:56 AM
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Hi Venice,

Good luck with your project! My 2 cents:

1) I think it's easier to travel now - with the Internet, you can research so much that you can plan so much on your own. Plus, airfares are comparatively cheap and there are more flight options - making "exotic travel" easier and more affordable.

3) 4) 6) No. I went to Las Vegas and New York right after 9/11.

2) Currency exchange rates with the Euro has changed my thinking a little about where to go next. I did go to Spain last year, however my next trip with likely be South America (or possibly somewhere in Africa).

10) Desire for knowledge and to experience different things makes me travel. I just want to see everything, experience new people, cultures, sites etc. I think it takes an innate curiousity about the world around you.


Karen
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Old May 23rd, 2005, 05:25 AM
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1. Is traveling today harder than it used to be, is there any reason?

It's easier than ever -- partly because of the Internet, as travel arrangements can be made easily, but also because more people than ever speak English as their 2nd (or 3rd, or 4th) language. My husband noticed this as he has traveled to Europe in the past 20 years several times, and every time he goes it gets harder to find places that don't have someone who speaks.

2. Do you travel less than you used to for any reason?

I travel more. Once you get the tavel bug, it's hard to quit. I see it as a priority in my life (more important than driving a new car or getting new furniture). As a middle class person, I can't afford it all, but I manage to travel a lot.

3. Do the terror-threat-levels effect whether or not you go abroad?

No -- in fact, my husband and I went to Turkey in 2003 after the Iraq invasion, and found that obviously some people were staying away (cruise lines were afraid to stop in Kusadasi, which is silly if you look at a map). We were welcomed and thanked many times by the Turks we met for coming. Part of travel is adventure, even to what might be considered iffy areas.

4. Do you change travel plans due to terror levels?

Never even thought of it that way. I have a brother-in-law who thinks that way -- he doesn't travel outside of the country except to tourist-laden areas of Mexico, in large part because of his fears of being an American in a foreign country, and whether or not he or his family will be safe.

Personally, I think we're safer over there than we are over here!

5. Do the currency exchange rates stop you from traveling as much or to a certain place?

No, but we will spend a couple days in London and then move on because the British pound is so expensive. But generally we go anyway.


6. Does the Iraqi war have any effect on the amount you travel or where you go to?

No, but then I've never had a desire to see Baghdad.

7. If money is an issue, do you choose to go less often or do you opt for a less expensive trip?

We sometimes go for shorter periods of time. We also save up as much money as we can and travel smart. There's no reason to spend $300 a night on a hotel, and it only puts a barrier between you and what you came to see anyway. We like B&B's at less than $100 a night in centrally located neighborhoods.

8. Do outbreaks like SARS scare you into traveling less?

No. I guess if the Ebola virus were breaking out somewhere I was going and I'd have an issue with getting back into the US without having to deal with the CDC, it might affect it though. I haven't had to deal with that.

9. Is security an issue for you? Whether you will be safe in your destination? Whether you will get to your destination safely?

I think anyone who flies after 9/11 has a gut check as the plane takes off, but other than that, I don't feel insecure anywhere. It's largely a frame of mind. When we left Istanbul Turkey, we experienced HEAVY security at the airport, and by the time I got to the gate, I had been checked 5 times and so had everyone else. You feel very safe in an airport that has real security, not just a quick check like at our domestic airports.


10. What is it that makes people love to travel?

Most people love to travel because it gets them outside of themselves. It's adventure. It's about meeting other people. If you study up on King Kamehameha (pardon the spelling) of Hawaii, he routinely sent his people down to the docks to pull ship captains up to his Palace to tell him news of the world. I think we're all curious about "what's going on over there", and it's part of the reason why we go.

If you have any other questions, please let me know. I have a j-school degree myself. [email protected]




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Old May 23rd, 2005, 05:48 AM
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I'll play.

<i>1. Is traveling today harder than it used to be, is there any reason?</i>
No. As the travel industry has gotten more sophisticated, many destinations/itineraries are actually much easier.

<i>2. Do you travel less than you used to for any reason?</i>
We stopped altogether when our daughter was too young to accompany us. Now that she is older, we go every year (and bring her).

<i>3. Do the terror-threat-levels effect whether or not you go abroad?</i>
No. It does affect destination choice somewhat.

<i>4. Do you change travel plans due to terror levels?</i>
Specific threats in specific countries must be considered. I'd love to see the pyramids, for example, but I'll wait until things simmer down a bit in Egypt. Might be a while.

<i>5. Do the currency exchange rates stop you from traveling as much or to a certain place?</i>
No.

<i>6. Does the Iraqi war have any effect on the amount you travel or where you go to?</i>
See #3 and #4.

<i>7. If money is an issue, do you choose to go less often or do you opt for a less expensive trip?</i>
We travel less often than we'd like, but we often go to expensive places (like Switzerland, Scotland, Capri, etc.)

<i>8. Do outbreaks like SARS scare you into traveling less?</i>
I am bewildered as to why some people seem so concerned about SARS. Yes, it's a nasty disease, but it's about 58th place on the list of things I'm likely to worry about.

<i>9. Is security an issue for you? Whether you will be safe in your destination? Whether you will get to your destination safely?</i>
It's an issue for me right now, but I'm about to go to Naples which is notorious for its street crime. Really, I'm more worried about pickpockets and street hustles than anything serious.

<i>10. What is it that makes people love to travel?</i>
There was a rather lengthy thread on this topic a year or two ago, with some very interesting musings. I believe the topic header was something like, &quot;Why do we travel?&quot; Seek it out.

I'll give you the answer I gave then: To those who understand, no explanation is necessary. To those who don't, no explanation will suffice.

I hope this helps.

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Old May 23rd, 2005, 05:48 AM
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Hi V,

Good questions.

1. Is traveling today harder than it used to be, is there any reason?

Much easier. Airfares and LD phone calls are much, much lower than 30 years ago. The internet permits you to shop hotels and make restaurant reservations.

2. Do you travel less than you used to for any reason?

Nope.

3. Do the terror-threat-levels effect whether or not you go abroad?

Nope. I don't go where the terrorists go.

4. Do you change travel plans due to terror levels?

Nope

5. Do the currency exchange rates stop you from traveling as much or to a certain place?

Nope. I still look for relatively inexpensive accomodations and airfares. I buy fewer souveniers.

6. Does the Iraqi war have any effect on the amount you travel or where you go to?

Nope. I wasn't going to the ME anyway.

7. If money is an issue, do you choose to go less often or do you opt for a less expensive trip?

Neither. I save more.

8. Do outbreaks like SARS scare you into traveling less?

Nope.

9. Is security an issue for you? Whether you will be safe in your destination? Whether you will get to your destination safely?

Of course. However, it's not the only priority.

10. What is it that makes people love to travel?

If you have to ask, you will never know.

&gt;I am going to London this summer for 3 weeks to study abroad and then I am traveling around to Ireland, Paris, and Venice for another 3 weeks.&lt;

Lucky you.

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Old May 23rd, 2005, 06:36 AM
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I wasn't aware that anyone was able to actually predict &quot;where the terrorists go&quot; so perhaps Ira is on(to) something.
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Old May 23rd, 2005, 08:29 AM
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1. Is traveling today harder than it used to be, is there any reason? <b>Yes. This TSA stupidity is a pain in the butt.</b>
2. Do you travel less than you used to for any reason? <b>No. But I will pay more for a non-stop flight if it avoids another security check.</b>
3. Do the terror-threat-levels <font color="RED">a</font>ffect whether or not you go abroad? <b>Not in the least.</b>
4. Do you change travel plans due to terror levels? <b>Not whatsoever.</b>
5. Do the currency exchange rates stop you from traveling as much or to a certain place? <b>No.</b>
6. Does the Iraqi war have any effect on the amount you travel or where you go to? <b>Absolutely not.</b>
7. If money is an issue, do you choose to go less often or do you opt for a less expensive trip? <b>Money is not an issue.</b>
8. Do outbreaks like SARS scare you into traveling less? <b>It might keep me from going to where an outbreak is in progress.</b>
9. Is security an issue for you? Whether you will be safe in your destination? Whether you will get to your destination safely? <b>Not at all.</b>
10. What is it that makes people love to travel? <b>Novelty. The human psyche thrives on newness.</b>
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Old May 23rd, 2005, 09:15 AM
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Hi Venice,

This is a UK answer which I think I should point out as it may make a difference to the answers you get (BTW I haven't read the other answers so it might not!!).

1. No, IMO it is much easier as there are more flights, and in some cases &pound; for &pound; cheaper than 20 years ago. The Internet has also made life easier as I have never liked package holidays and can now pre plan my trips, book accommodation, entertainment etc easily in advance.

2. No I travel much much more and now go for several short trips a year rather than the more usual anual 2 week summer holiday (but do usually spend 10 days somewhere in the summer).

3. Absolutly not. I am more likely to get killed walking across a main road or driving a car in my home country than when travelling.

4. No (as above). Don't think I would want to go to Iraq at the moment but it has not been on my travel itinerary for many years.

5. If the &pound; was very low in a particular country, I would probably go to somewhere were I would get the best value for it.

6. No (see Q3)

7. I would go less often but also budget more carefully.

8. No but I would take account of all the information available and take the suggested precautions to ensure my safety.

9. I take all reasonable precautions for my safey even in my home country.

10. See new places, different cultures, experience new culinery delights, meet new people, and most of all come home and exchange my experiences with fellow travellers and find out that, although travel is wonderful, home is best!!

Hope this helps with you assignment and good luck.

Helen
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Old May 23rd, 2005, 11:51 AM
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I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! Thank you so much for your help!!! THANK YOU!!!!
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