Europe Feels Pinch As Americans Stay Home
 

May 30, 2003: Europe Feels Pinch As Americans Stay Home

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/inte...Americans.html

A nose-diving dollar, fears of being terrorist targets and the anti-American sentiment that resounded across Europe during the Iraq war are combining to keep U.S. citizens away.

Fears of SARS, a potentially deadly respiratory illness, also gets some blame, but since Europe has largely escaped the disease, the weaker dollar seems a more likely culprit.

The drop in tourism to Europe isn't easy to categorize [but] what seems universal is nostalgia for the American big spender.

"Five Americans spend as much as 100 Europeans," said Konstantinos Koufinakos, a Greek merchant married to an American.

Works both ways I guess! Though it is cheaper for Europeans to visit the US the tourist authorities in Orlando are lamenting the sharp decline in European and Asian Tourists. SARS is definitely affecting Asian tourists, but the only reason the authorities can come up with as to the decline in European visitors is fear of terrorism and anti-europeanism.

I clicked on to your link but the nasty New York Times has done something to stop us from even accessing that! I'm taking them off my "favorites" list as they want you to subscribe in order to see anything. Alas, more and more newspapers and magazines on the web are doing this. Anyway, thanks for your review of the article.

Two Canadians off to Scotland in September. I am sure Dor will set the trade imbalance right.

So true, CharlieB!

The travel company I work for has just cancelled its planned charter flights from Zurich to SF for the summer due to lack of demand. This in spite of the falling USD!

Since our route to Calgary & Vancouver is doing OK, it would appear that this is more of a political statement by Swiss travelers than a general reluctance to fly long haul.

Hopefully hotheads in both Europe and the US will realize what a mess they're making before this animosity gets out of hand - or has it already?

Andre

Daph, I don't know what you're talking about -- I was able to access the Times article without any trouble.

Europeans are very informed about American veiws. Thanks to all the recent anti-European crap concerning George Bush's war they are less willing to come here and we are less willing to go there. This administration has destroyed generations-long relationships. Bush publicly called Germany and France "The old Europe". Very foolish and dangerous.

We're going to Italy in July because I figured we'd get great rates and crowds would be down. Wrong! So many transatlantic flights have been cancelled that we're paying top dollar ($850 pp) for a really inconvenient flight--close to 18 hours each way (Philadelphia-Rome). (Granted, part of the problem was that I waited til about 8 weeks before departure before booking.) I think we got a decent rate on the land package but it sure isn't the bargain of the century.

Anonymous- you are correct. I think that they had me registered under my former e-mail address. But what I said still goes for certain French news magazines like Le Point. We are still going to the U.K. France and Italy in August but we have changed some of our reservations to cheaper hotels [not that they were deluxe to begin with!].

One country that does not seem to be suffering unduly from American reluctance to travel is Ireland.Aer Lingus has reported a 19% increase in traffic between the U.S. and Ireland so far this year.Many of them from what I can see on this board stay in B and Bs where the cost remains quite reasonable.The good value fares though have disappeared but will probably reappear in September.

Let's be realistic here, does anybody realy care if French and Germans no longer visit the US? I'm so tired of people using this board to vent their political gripes.

Sorry strings,

But we people who live in tourist areas of the US DO care ..our service employees in Fl are being laid off and even Disney has closed some of their resorts. The parking lots at some outlet malls were just about empty last sunday morning..very unusual and bad for our economy, which is bad enough to begin with.

Strings --

>> Let's be realistic here, does anybody realy care if French and Germans no longer visit the US? I'm so tired of people using this board to vent their political gripes. >>

Isn't that what you just did? Or was your gripe more bigoted than political?

Hi

just to put this into perspective.

France has 80m tourists each year (more than USA) of whom less than 2m are from USA.

Sure any reduction is missed. And any travel company devoted solely to US visitors is struggling.

But it's small beer compared to total tourists ?

Yesterday I needed to drive along the coast here, and there was no noticeable reduction in traffic.

Peter
http://tlp.netfirms.com

It doesn't seem that the issue here is a political issue or gripe but one of economics.

Strings, just because an issue isn't important to your personal life doesn't mean it's not important. These things manage to create a domino effect in any economy. Those laid off US tourism workers aren't going to be buying the products or services from the companies that you and/or your family are employed by.

I don't mind getting mildly political though, despite the chances that someone won't like it. When they found those tapes about the 9/11 attacks, bin Laden stated that the goal was to strike at the heart of the western economy; to destroy the western alliance; and change our lives.

Here we are not two years later actively carrying out that agenda. Former allies are at each other's throats. Bin Laden despised Hussein anyway (bonus points). Governments are at each throats. People are doing an excellent job of convincing themselves that travel is unsafe, that people elsewhere dislike them, etc - wrecking the travel industry in the process. More layoffs, more dominoes. And people proudly declare how little they care. Sometimes I'm not convinced that this wasn't the plan all along.

Strings - prior to you post, only jors post had anything the least bit political. You alone have turned it into a political diatribe. Yes, tourism effects both you and me, and the decrease in trans-atlantic tourism will eventually effect your pocketbook just as it effects Rene's, Hans's, and Carlo's.

Interesting article, Capo, but I thought Casa Botin's speciality was roast pig.

If you check my bio you will see that I have never before made a political comment whereas another poster on this thread does often. I'm tired of the everyday Bush bashing, and I'm a democrat. Feel free to start slamming me again though, and slamming our president. I see some people get a lot of joy in saying negative things about Bush every day, and you know who you are, and you know where this thread was headed.

To Anonymous - Daph is right, I could not access the article either without registering! Very annoying all this registration.....

It only takes a couple minutes to register if you really want to read the article.

Clifton: my thoughts EXACTLY!

Andre

Just received a response to my email for hotel reservation in Milan. They are offering to use the euro/dollar exchange rate of 3 years ago to ?contribute to a strong dollar.?

Yesterday I saw a picture in the business paper about a fancy restaurant in Rome that caters to rich Americans and the place was empty..Business around Europe miss the Americans tourists very much, because of their love to" shop till you drop", and also about their generosity in tippings.

Well said Clifton- The "plan" appears to be working to perfection!

For criminy sakes people. I live in the northwest and we see the effects of the recession (depression here) everywhere. I have many friends who had high level jobs who are out of work and the net worth of everyone I know (retirement/kids college) has plummeted to near zero as it was in the stock market. It's no mystery why many of my friends who used to travel extensively, are staying home.
There may be other reasons, too, but the economic downturn isn't just statistics.

Good comments, Clifton.

Fear can be, of course, an extremely powerful weapon. However, of the three main reasons cited in the NY Times article for the lack of American tourists in Europe -- "a nose-diving dollar, fears of being terrorist targets and the anti-American sentiment that resounded across Europe during the Iraq war" -- I'd make a William Bennett (that's a bet :) that the falling dollar is a much greater factor than fear.

Maybe Americans just can't afford to travel oversea right now. I know I can't. If I could afford it I wouldn't let terrorism or anti-American sentiment stop me. Like most people here in the US I'm sure most Europeans know there is difference between our Government's policies and how the average American feels.

I believe the lack of American travelers in Europe is purely economic. While no one wanted to travel during "Operation Iraqi Freedom", now there are plenty of Americans in Europe staying at four star hotels and spending those shrinking dollars on gourmet meals. It's the lower end of the market that is feeling the bite, as budget-minded travelers postpone due to the overall-poor economy.

As far as anti-American sentiment, there isn't any -- anymore than there has always been anyway. It's Americans that are doing all the France-bashing, not the other way around, and I doubt that these are the same Americans that were planning to spend a week in the Loire Valley anyway.

Regarding fear of terrorism, I think most logical people realize that the odds of being involved in a terrorist/air situation is very slim. The odds are better that you would win the lottery -- in which case you could afford to go to Europe this summer!

I agree with Babette and others who are talking about economic reasons for low travel to Europe. I went to London in January, and everything was very expensive because of the exchange rate. It's much worse now.

My next trip is going to be to Central or South America, where things are much less expensive.

Actually it is not much worse in Britain right now; the pound has not gained all that much against the dollar as compared to the Euro.

We are planning an independent 23 night trip to Euope this fall. Have been planning for about a year. We generally stay in 2 to 3* locations. I estimate that for the 2 couples going the decline in the dollar will cost us an extra $1,000 per couple. We are flying on frequent flyers.

SARS is not a major concern, Europe seems to have been less affected than even the US (we are in Michigan, so we hear more about Toronto's problems, than we do Europe's)

Anti American sentiment I believe is more media and isolated cases. I have talked to various people in France and also read reports from this website and this does not appear to be a problem. We have not had any problems on our past 3 trips and do not expect anything significant this time.

So I guess the question is would we postpone the trip for $1,000??

Answer NO. The 4 of us are in our mid 50s to early 60s, basically healthy. If you wait until conditions are all perfect (Dollar strong, political climate best, no threat of disease, people going healthy, family leaving behind healthy, time of year good for weather, less crowded time, etc) you might not ever go. Each person has to make their own decision and for us the best is to go!
Happy travels to all who are still going!

I believe that as we perceive a world with irrational foreign hatred and envy of America's freedoms, prosperity, and international power Americans will be more likely to stay close to home.

There is so much to do and see right here in the USA and you avoid money and (generally) language problems.

I also think that some natural cocooning as an appropriate response to a dangerous world. Statistics be dammed, I think most Americans believe we are much safer here than Europe, Africa, or just about anywhere else.

Our next trip is to the USVI and after than it will be some western national parks. I have been to Europe many, many times, including two years living in Scotlant so I'm no Euro-phobe. I just think the USA is safer, cleaner, cheaper, friendlier, and I'd rather keep the money in the hands of my fellow citizens.

Regards,

MM

It has crossed my mind that the weak dollar may be a shrewed attempt to "punish" France for recent behavior. The main reason that I can't convince myself that this is true, is that many of the other countries affected were openly supportive of the Iraqi action (Italy, Denmark, The Netherlands, etc.).

The comment about the British pound being more favorable than the Euro was surprising because I thought that the BPS exchange rate was pinned to the Euro.

While it may be true that only 1 out of 40 tourists in France are from the US, that 2 1/2% probably spend a disproportionate amount of money. There are many reasons for this. When European tourists take a driving trip through the heart of France, they are more likely to use their own car rather than one from a rental agency. Most of my European friends, including those that live in the US, stay with friends when they visit France - so the hotels make no profit from them. Europeans don't buy all the cheap souvenirs, etc. (they wait until they go to New York and Yellowstone to do that). Europeans, especially younger Europeans, are more likely to travel independently rather than pay big bucks to join a group tour.

I've posted these statistics before, but they are interesting and reflect the spending patterns I just described. According to the World Tourism (2001 report), France has the highest number of international visitors, but the US earns the greatest number of international tourism dollars. In fact, US receipts are more than double those of France. Despite the fact that Spain has fewer international visitors than France, it earns a greater share of international tourism dollars. The US also accounts (by a comfortable margin) for the greatest amount spent on international tourism. If that doesn't help dispel the myth that Americans have no interest in anything beyond our borders, nothing will.

By the way, it was Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld that described France and Germany as the old Europe, not president Bush.

"old Europe" is not a recent phrase -- it was used by Bush's military advisors a long time ago when they were first developing their policy towards Iraq, etc. I don't even mean in this admin., but from Bush Sr and Reagan's eras, as Rumsfeld and both Bushes have been influenced by the same guys who have had certain plans in the Mideast for a long time and got Bush Jr to go along with them without too much trouble. I think that may be why certain Republicans wanted him to be President so much. 9/11 was just a good excuse for them to carry out their agenda which has been around for years; the "war on terror" has given them a good way to fund and continue their position of US dominance. Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Libby et al have planned this for years.

I don't think there is enough Bush bashing on here in terms of people really being aware of who the people are advising and informing his actions and opinions. I completely reject the idea that someone is supposed to silently support any leader or President just because he is in that position when you completely disagree with his position on virtually everything, his motives, and his value system. I don't understand how any reasonable person can take the position that the populace and electorate should never disagree with what a leader does --how is that different from a dictatorship.

Christina..Are you trying to tell us that this administration was overjoyed after 9/11 so they could push thru a plan,that they are exploiting this awful time in american history?

And I suppose you think any kind of "war on Terror" is a bad thing?

People have every right to bash anyone they want to,but saying this administration uses 9/11 for their own agenda is liberal spin,nothing more.

RNC, re: "People have every right to bash anyone they want to,but saying this administration uses 9/11 for their own agenda is liberal spin,nothing more."

While, except for the most rabid conspiracy theorists, few people suggest that this administration either played a part in 9/11 or was happy that it happened, are you actually suggesting that this administration (or, for that matter, any administration) is somehow virtuously above exploiting tragedy for its own political purposes?

Capo..Let me start by saying I put nothing beyond any politician or administration. But,I wopuld like to know who these "few people" are and what they base this theory on.

Read Christinas post...To encourage "Bush bashing" and her comments on 9/11 and the war on terror is spin. The scenario is far too extreme for any kind of "wag the Dog" situation. Bush and administration are no more guilty of this as was Clinton no more guilty bombing afganistan post Lewinsky.

Good for you Strings, even if you are a dem. And the clowns that attacked you sound like they were just itching for a fight. What YOU said was hardly political. Keep political crap of this forum.

smueller - Though I agree with your statistics, I disagree with your conclusion that "The US accounts (by a comfortable margin) for the geatest amount spent on international tourism. If that doesn't dispel the myth that Americans have no interest in anything beyond our boerders, nothing will." The fact that 280 million Americans spent only 59 million dollars means that the average American spends only $0.20 on international travel per year, while Germany (2nd place) with a population of 82 million contributed 46 million to international tourism (or $0.56 per person). Actually the statistics are becoming meaningless especially in European countries with now open borders. Who knows that I took a day trip from France to Belgium and dropped $000 in cash for some lace.

It never ceases to amaze me about some of the Jewish people on this forum that continuously bash Bush and other Republicans. GWB and the Republicans have done more to help and protect the people of Israel and the Jewish people in the USA than anyone else. To the rabid people on this forum....all I can say is...maybe you should stop biting the hand that feeds you.