Saw this post elsewhere.<BR><BR>Have you noticed fewer tourists overseas while travelling lately?<BR><BR>I'm thinking the crowds will be a little thin this year in Europe.

When I was in Rome last month, there were a lot of tourists, just not many Americans. Same thing when I took a day-trip to Florence. There were a lot of Japanese &amp; Korean organized tour groups, and a lot of French school kids (they looked to be junior high-school to high-school aged). The weekend I was in Rome, there were a lot of Irish, because Ireland was playing Italy in a soccer match. (And they won.)<BR><BR>BC

I don't think February and March are huge tourism months in Europe, especially for Americans. But I also think the crowds will be thinner, largely because of the economic slowdown in the USA and other countries.

I wonder if there are those who are also altering their plans away from France and Germany. Since French Fries have had their named changed to Freedom Fries at the U.S. House cafeteria, I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't more fallout to come from the UN vote.

The number of Americans going to Europe has fallen in last few months or longer. When we were staying at a castle in Assisi in October, the owners told us 2002 had been the worst year they had, mainly because far, far fewer Americans were coming over.

And, unfortunately, the number of European tourists to the U.S. will be down this year, too.<BR><BR>I work in the tourism industry. Prior to the war-in-the-making, destinations were banking on the lucrative international market to balance out the decline in domestic tourism (largely related to the economy). Alas, that will no longer happen on a significant scale. . .

I mentioned this in another post but there will only be 8 people including myself on a bus tour we're taking in Italy this May. And this is a guaranteed departure! We sure don't mind having the entire bus to ourselves but it is disheartening that so many people are not traveling due to economic or war fears. Another tour I was checking out for May is not operating until the end of June. When we went to England during hoof &amp; mouth our tour still had 24 passengers, this is much worse.

I don't know anybody right now with travel plan to the US, everybody over here seems to stay in its own country or hit destinations in Europe.<BR><BR>This has not only to do with the actual situation, but is also a financial issue, especially for families. Those, who can, will focuss on last minute departures.<BR><BR>Both, individual travel as packages are down according to a speaker of the tourist trade fair in Berlin earlier this month.<BR><BR>Turkey seems to suffer a lot. Booking for this summer are down.<BR>From what I hear, most Europeans seem to focuss on Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece this summer, if a holiday on the beach is within their financial possibilites.<BR>Plan for trips to Asia increase for those you can afford it, as well.

yeah - I work for a travel company and our bookings are right down (except India which is still quite strong, strangely)

According to the Financial Times of London The ammount of US tourists in Europe in 2002 was down by 18% over 2001,which was already lower than 2000.