European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - March 9, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                By Steve Lohr new York times ust two years ago an overseas trip was financially irresistible americans almost could t afford not to go since ii was cheaper than staying at Home. Last year he Specter of International terrorism kept Many americans Home. This year the threat is a shrunken Dollar. The value of the Dollar has dropped roughly 17 percent against other major currencies in the past year and More than 30 percent from the lofty Heights of february 1985. The two year slide has been even More precipitous about 40 percent against the strongest currencies the japanese yen he West German Mark and the Swiss Iran yet ii would be myopic to despair Over the shrinking Dollar. While its value May look meager compared to iwo years ego the Dollar today is still far stronger in Britain France Italy and most other countries than it was in 1981, Lor instance even the recent slide has been selective. In Australia latin America and Hong Kong for example the Dollar is now either stronger or no weaker than it was year ago. In Britain the favorite trans Atlantic destination of americans the Pound has gained less than 5 percent against the Dollar in the past year. That Means that the British Heater among other hangs remains a bargain. The average Price of a Heater ticket in the West end of London is less than $17, compared with a-$�9 average on Broadway. Despite a general Rise in overseas prices however some Lour operators and tourism officials say they expect More americans to travel abroad his year. It appears that americans will come to Europe in Spile of the weak  said David Kyd an official at the International afr transport association in Geneva. Trie ,1 in the Dollar will undoubtedly discourage some travellers bul it does not appear to be at a critical level  Duncan Bluck chairman of the British tourist authority said recent figures pointed to a full recovery in North american  in France too the mood is generally optimistic. Bul there is no double that he past 12 months have taken their toll on travellers wallets. These examples underline the Impact West Germany has almost no inflation yet the visitor to a Munich Beer Garden will find that a liter of Beer will Cost j3.b2, up Tram $2-98 last year. A two mile taut ride that Cost $4.77 last year has risen to $6.11. Even in Britain the combination of Price increases and a modest gain in the value of the Pound has brought higher Price lags on most hems. Al the scotch House tha knights Bridge Waaler and tartan Emporium a woman s Cashmere sweater that went for $100ayearagocosls$12l today. At the hotel Okura in Tokyo renowned for its service and a Mavorite of foreign travellers the management decided last december to Largo its annual Price increase usually about 6 percent. But american guests May not totally appreciate the gesture because in Dollar terms a double room that Cost $192 a Day last year including Tan and service charge will Cost $237 a Day this year. Page 14 the stars and stripes dinner of Sharbu Stirbu meal fish and vegetables cooked in boiling water at the table at the a Arcuro restaurant in the Glinza Dis Lertol of Tokyo costs $96 for two up from about $76 last year. The cart ten hotel in Paris has no increased us rates for double rooms since september 1985. Yet because of the weaker Dollar the double roam that Cost $280 a night last year is now up 1o $336 a Day. But there it More to figuring the Cost of travelling abroad than Exchange rates. The slate department s per diem Ravel allowances provide one of the most reliable gauges of what a City costs. Since february 1986 the allowance for Paris has gone up from $134 a Day to $169, a x percent Rise. Stockholm is the most expensive City by the state department reckoning Wilh the allowance set at $174, an increase of 17 percent Over last year. Among the cheapest cities according to he state department is Marrakesh Morocco where the Dally allowance has been set Al $58. Yet even this is a 21 percent increase Over last year. Hefty increases in the allowances have been common for this year. In Zurich it has gone up from $104 to $151, a 45 percent increase. In Rome ii went from $113 id j144, up 27 percent in Beijing from $99 to $142, up 43 percent in Lisbon from $77 to $112, up 45 percent and in Cologne from $126 to $169, up 34 percent. New Delhi was one of the Lew cities where the stale department s allowance dropped this year la $79 a Day from $82. A two mile taxi ride is 75 cents while a it � no to fled Delmi Erfy Bui it i 4irwortty double room Al the Taj mahal hotel is $85 a person dinner for two Al the hotel president s Tandoori restaurant is about �18. With a bottle of local wine the Bill might just approach $30. But As in so much of Asia the advice is to stick to Beer. The allowance for Mexico City also fell by 6 percent to $65 a Day. The country s inflation rate has been More than offset by devaluations and discounts Are available. The Standard Rale fora double room at the Well known Calno real hotel Lor example. Is $108 a night but that Price Falls to $63 in some package deals. Similar attempts Are being made to attract american Idu riels to France a new York Lour operator Jal vacations for instance. 1$ offering a six night package stay at the hotel Lutetia or concorde St. Lazare in Paris for $668 a person until april 31. Included in the Price Are the air fare from Mew York to Paris and transportation into the City a half Day of sightseeing and a chauffeur driven limousine for seven hours that can be used Lor shopping within a 30-Mlla radius of Paris. A10 percent discount at the print Emp department store is also included. Last year r4lmuar package Cost $749 a person x. Also until april 31, the same company the offering a six night stay at the hotel Crillon with three Raate at celebrated restaurants in Paris including the hotel s own. Cost from $1,128 to $1,228 a person depending on departure Dales. Airport taxes Are extra. An official at the Crillon pointed out that packages existed at rite hotel last year but thai they were looked at with same condescension by  he added but this year they Are successful. Asa result More space in the hotel is being allotted to travellers taking advantage of the packages. Charles Demeure who Heads hotel service Paris a Paris company that promotes about 40 smaller hotels most of them in the French capital Saya that none of my hotels has raised its prices although they finally Obial Ned the Long a Walls Freedom to do so Hole prices in France were recently deregulated. Demeure said that if things Don t get better we May have to do something More drastic and give people a super promotion of 50 percent off if they come for the 14th of july France s National Holiday in 1985, Demeure said when the Dollar was Al its Peak. Americans flocked to France. Last year was catastrophic by comparison he said and so far this year bookings have not improved substantially. A five week advertising Campaign paid for in part by the French government will be mounted in the United states starting in april and res aim is to gel the message across that France can be allo Dablo said Jean Pierre Millet. Millet is director of promotion Lor Maison a la France a government run Agency established recently that is made up of 1s major French business concerns including air France and department stores. The Campaign was scheduled Lor last year but cancelled after the chernobyl reactor disaster and the French refusal to let american warplanes Fly Over France on their Way to bomb Libya. American tour groups should be less in evidence in Europe this year according to tourism officials. Often planned More than a year in Advance group bookings will be the slowest to recover from last year s concerns about terrorism. What we Are starting to see is the individual travellers and the Knapsack brigade coming Back says Don Swanard a european Lour operator and past chairman of the association or British travel agents. Monday a