European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - March 31, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse Way x v s or a a Zofi a. ,. A�i5 ski to ousts a Ahtsee a Monument Valley Ariz. The weaker Dollar is luring europeans to the United states Dollar turns table son travel by Linda White travel editor l ast year a Strong Dollar brought americans to Europe in record numbers. This year the Dollar is weak so it s the european who Are making the trip across the Atlantic. " we have seen a big change this year in the number of inquiries said Peter w. Bohen regional director of the United states travel and tourism administration in Frankfurt Germany. A projection made in november when the Dollar started its decline predicted an 8 percent increase in germans going to the United states. But with the continued slide and the pent up demand we will probably see a 12 to 15 percent germans have a definite pattern of travelling in the United states he said. The first timers usually Fly to new York City and stay on the East coast. They go to Niagara Falls Philadelphia the Pennsylvania dutch country Washington . And Williamsburg a. If they have time they go on to Florida. For the second trip and the germans have a 70 percent repeat ratio they Fly directly to los Angeles and Here too they follow a set pattern. They visit los vegas death Valley the grand Canyon Yosemite san Francisco and follow the coast Road Back to los Angeles. After that they go looking for something new said Bohen. The germans Are adventurous travellers. Once they become acquainted with the country anything goes. They take Fly drive vacations rent motor Homes Camp. They Are fascinated with the contrast Between the big City and the wide open spaces. They love the desert they have a tremendous interest in Cowboy and Indian folklore and they like to drive for hours without seeing a other popular destinations Are new Orleans for jazz South Carolina for its beaches and Island resorts new England and the Pacific Northwest. The Swiss and the austrians follow the same pattern and the French to some extent. Bohen said that Southern Europe is a much smaller Market but that the italians Are known As Good spenders for High Quality the British head for Miami Beach which they see As competitive with Southern Spain and Italy. Don t overestimate the English language capability of the european tourists said Bohen. But even when they Don t speak the language they feel comfortable in the United states. Rental cars function hotel reservations Are in order and they always say that americans Are Friendly and he noted that european visitors Don t seem disturbed by America s crime rate and that they Are not particularly worried about terrorism. There is no question that the United states is a preferred destination he said. We Are now trying to show it is affordable. It is not cheap but it gives value for the Usta has mounted a $1.5 million advertising Campaign to promote tourism to the United states. Everyone looks for the less expensive Way to travel said Bohen. The bus passes and discover America airline fares have become Well known. We encourage the travellers to make their land travel arrangements Here because they can t buy a lot of the special passes once they arrive in the the germans Are outpaced by the japanese and British among overseas visitors to the United states yet they Are the biggest spenders per capita they Aren t shopping oriented Bohen said. They tend to spend their Money on Tours rental cars and such things. But those who do shop buy cosmetics and sports what will happen if the Dollar climbs again it probably would have a negative Impact but it would t happen overnight this is a Price sensitive Market. The germans Don t use credit cards or borrow Money for their vacations. They save up the Usta is a Small Agency within the department of Commerce. It has nine overseas offices five of them in Europe with fewer than 75 employees producing 85 percent of the world tourist traffic to the United states. It will celebrate its 25th anniversary in May monday March 31, 1986 the stars and stripes Page 13
