Charlie,

You're per capita analysis is interesting. Although it should be scaled by three orders of magnitude, because Americans spent 59 billion (not million) US dollars on international travel in 2001. When you adjust for the considerably higher per capita income in the US, your argument would appear stronger still. I suspect, however, that you are comparing apples and oranges.

Even the poorest German can likely afford to travel to a foreign country when France, Austria, Belgium, etc. are so close. A German living in Baden-Baden is as likely to visit Strasbourg as Frankfurt.

Americans do not have such low-cost options for foreign travel. With the exception of Mexico and Canada, US citizens must spend a considerable amount of money to visit another country. This barrier excludes many Americans. Foreign travel is unavailable to this segment of the American population regardless of how badly they may want it. I know quite a few Americans that would love to travel to Europe (or Asia, or Africa, etc.), but simply can't afford it.

If Germany were less than 100 km away from LA, a lot more Americans would be visiting and spending money. A more meaningful comparision would be to somehow compensate for the degree of financial hardship. For example, only consider people of a specific income bracket or that travel overseas.

I accidentally posted before I finished my last comment.

I was going to conclude with my own experience. I have wanted to visit Europe (especially France) since I was in Jr High School, but it was not until I was several years out of graduate school that I could afford to go. Had I lived in Germay or England, I would have visited long before then.

smueller - 1)please accept my apologies for the missing zeros - however, the proportions remain the same. The proportion is even higher if one looks at tourism expenditures as a proportion of GDP. 2) I fully agree that it is much easier and cheaper for a Swede to visit the Costa Brava than an American to do so. With all of the variables involved with international travel - I feel that the statistics are meaningless and can't prove either way whether Americans are interested or un-intereste in international travel as compared to other countries.

I believe people should travel; but travel in the USA. We have a beautiful country with many natural wonders. I have traveled extensively in Europe, especially France, but now is the time to see America.

lynlor said, "I believe people should travel; but travel in the USA."

I believe people should travel wherever the heck they want to travel. Why is now the time to see America? If people want to go to the Grand Canyon, so be it. But if I want to go to Europe (as I am going to do), that's fine, too. Hell, maybe I'll visit Toronto and help their economy. My wife and mother-in-law just visted Vancouver, B.C. I didn't know that to be patriotic you had to travel exclusively in the United States. We are going to visit the CALIFORNIA wine country for our anniversary. But then again, I support wines from all countries, including France.

Well, mr. mai tai tom..... you can promote travel in the world and I can promote travel in the USA. We still have a free choice in this country.

I'm with you Tom. I can't see any reason why a person who desires to travel now should feel more obliged to stay in country now, than those who went to Europe in the past. Seems fair enough to me that everyone has equal opportunity to take their dream trips.

Besides, there's one American and one Australian living here in the house between my wife and I. That helps broaden the focus on travel dollars even if we did decide to stay within our home country(s).

lynlor replies, "We still have a free choice in this country."

Did you read what I said??????? That's exactly my point. Thanks for making it for me.

lynlor: Part 2 "We still have a free choice in this country."

Looking at your rather biased post regarding "Jewish people" (your quote), I believe you should practice what you preach.

lynlor, just curious. How do you recognize who is Jewish on this forum? The world is wondering!

We just returned from a two-week trip to Europe and people from the USA are traveling there..to some places apparently such as Florence and Venice..in DROVES..all our flights were full, etc. I feel sad about folks who succumbed to the "hysteria" which, unfortunately, was promulgated on this board and elsewhere about the safety and political issues and decided not to travel abroad.

Gocats 2002..I was wondering the same thing...do little stars of David or crosses or crescents appear on some computers but not mine?

How about the idea that Americans who choose to travel abroad these days are doing more to promote international relations, intercultural understanding, and peace than Americans who choose to stay home?

jenviolin, What a nice thought, thanks.

Excellent, jenviolin !!

Way to go jenviolin! We just returned from Prague, Vienna and Budapest. Met very few from US in any city, and oddly most we did meet were from California. Do we have a different slant on things?

I hesitate to get involved in this sort of thing, but I must admit I'm sick to death of these people who categorize those of us who disagree with the current administration, the war, etc. as being Unamerican/Unpatriotic! Now it has stooped to staying in the US and not traveling to Europe. Where is it going to end?

We had a wonderful trip, one of our best ever and we are returning to London in December. My husband is an Air Force Korean Veteran and we both love our country, but choose to believe that Washington has us headed in the wrong direction. Hope that's okay with the "big patriot" on the thread.

I am Dutch and for me the low dollar will make it a lot cheaper to visit the US; a country that I love to visit. I am planning a trip to NY soon, even though there are people here who will not visit the US at the moment for fear of terrorist strikes against US targets. I know families who have cancelled or postponed trips to Orlando because of the current international situation. The fact that the dollar is so cheap doesn't make any difference to them.

Tulips:

Like Europeans who react with surprise that Americans feel a sense of danger travelling to Europe these days, I am surprised that Europeans would not visit the US due to terrorism fears.

Terrorism will strike wherever and whenever... Bali, Tunisia, Kenya, Israel. No one place is safer than another. I would encourage you and your friends to continue coming to America. The danger of terrorism here is no greater than that of any location on the globe.