European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - April 20, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                D Aily Agazine avoiding Europe fearful americans alter travel plans new York times o officials in the travel Industry across the United states have reported a surge i cancellations by travellers to Europe since the american bombing raids against Libya. I would put it in the category of devastating said new York travel agent Hal Green president of the Macpherson travel Bureau when asked what effect the air raids and fear of reprisal by terrorists were having on flights to Europe. It s understandable because people Are apprehensive at the moment said Green who estimated cancellations by pleasure travellers at 90 percent. Some agents in Philadelphia Detroit Miami and Chicago said sales had declined Between 20 to 80 percent. Many travel and airline officials were reluctant to discuss the matter for fear of hurting ticket sales further. Almost in one Day the whole direction of the travel business changed from people going East to people now going West said Ellen grosser of the Rosenbluth travel Agency in Philadelphia. I just helped a woman today who cancelled a summer trip to Europe and who is now booked for  during what is considered in the travel Industry the critical period for summer vacation planning and bookings Many people have been calling airlines airports and travel agencies to express fear for their safety and to seek reassurance about Security arrangements. The Federal aviation administration has imposed special new Security requirements on . Airlines operating to foreign countries. In addition the Agency called on All the nation s airlines and Airport authorities to be extra vigilant As a result of the american air attacks in Libya according to a spokesman Fred Farrar. The warning was issued just hours after completion of the air assault tuesday. The Faa said details of the new Security measures were being kept secret for obvious  government sources said they were significant and  they added they would probably have been issued even if there had been no libyan bombing because of the surge of terrorist incidents in recent months. Even business travellers who constitute a major segment of International travel have voiced their concern although there does not appear to have been any decline in business travel abroad. And for some travel agents like Green business travel has actually increased we be had a fair number of our International accounts being called Over by Parent companies to see what is happening to foreign subsidiaries because of All of  Many people have altered their plans to avoid certain european countries such As Italy Greece and to a lesser degree France Britain and West Germany and rebooted to other Sites. A pattern that has been developing Over the last few months has been increased travel within the United states and to countries and regions considered safer. These include Canada Eastern Europe the soviet up photo tougher Security measures the Faa has asked . Airlines and Airport authorities to be extra  Union Scandinavia the Caribbean and the far East. Some travel officials saying that cancellations had been minimal took a cautious wait and see attitude. Speaking for Many of these officials Donald Csullivan chairman of the North american committee of the european travel commission a promotional Agency consisting of 23 european National tourist offices said it was premature to evaluate the aftereffects of the raid. A sense of increasing anxiety Over terrorist acts since the hijacking of a trans world airlines flight out of Athens last june punctuated by the raid on Libya has taken Many forms across America. In the Detroit area Linda Davney manager of the Birmingham mich., office of Elliott travel said she had just returned from a five Day trip to Germany. Switzerland and Austria where she judged the mood As very  she flew on an american airline where Security was the tightest she has Ever seen she said. Bookings have been Down 80 percent in the weeks since . Military Maneu vers Over the Gulf of Sidra. With khad Afy saying he had people even in the United states people Aren t crazy about getting on an air plane she said. Bookings in Miami were called slow to nonexistent. People Are not even taking advantage of the $150 trip discount a number of airlines offered said Eva Swift owner of Sunset travel. And at least three travel agencies in Houston were deluged with Calls by prospective clients some of whom were cancelling flights even though they face penalties of $25 to $100. One Houston travel agent was advising clients to use Low profile european airports and airlines rather than the major airports and escorted american tour flights. Sunday april 20, 1986 in Boston Jonathan Kean the president of mar associates which arranges Tours and travel for businessmen said one businessman who had to go to Rome chose to Fly Swissair to Zurich and then take a train to Rome to avoid american carriers and the Airport in Rome. Many travel agents said they faced a crisis about what to Tell their clients. Kean said some travel agents Are now reluctant to urge people to go to certain countries for fear of being sued if something happens to the travellers. A Denver Douglas Hurst manager of Denver travel said he did not give advice to clients about where to travel but he is concerned about his son s vacation plans. My 20-year old son is supposed to go to London but i m thinking about not letting him  some agents such As Donald d. Estey a former military Pilot who Heads master travel in Denver said the press had blown the terrorist threat out of proportion and americans had to be willing to take risks. They could just As easily kill themselves driving to the  in los Angeles travellers were calling less to cancel trips than to get updated information on the libyan crisis. People Are even calling about Domestic flights said Mark Jones manager of the Cardillo travel systems office in Beverly Hills. In the Early morning quiet of the International terminal at o Hare International Airport in Chicago where an increased number of private Security guards were recently hired Mick Mcnicholas was walking to make a connecting flight Richmond a. I m not worried. I have never heard of any terrorists in  he paused and thought for a moment. I  the stars and stripes Page 13