European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - July 18, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazine american spirit revives in Europe american in once Man seeing the of Ghat of Europe. Appolo by Thomas  new York times Hen the 105tnember spirit of America band marched on me Lawn of the us. Ambassador s residence in Geneva recently playing the Star spangled Banner the sense of National Pride in the crowd was unsullied by any nervous glances. The ambassador s annual picnic with hot dogs and Sotl drinks and the in arching band of 14 to 22-year Olds from Hall the slates in the Union took place amid a palpable sense of Relief that this year americans need not feel tense or vulnerable while displaying their nationality in a possibly hostile environment. Our kids come from 25 of 30 states so we re dealing with quite a few concerned  said the director of the spirit of America band Tom Huhn of Chesapeake a. And when thai situation happened last year in Libya with the bombing and All and Hen the threats we had a Tot of parents who said hey did t feel comfortable with us coming Over Here so we stayed Home the Story of the return to Europe by the spirit of America band which has often travelled Here is symptomatic of a feeling of Relief and Confidence that is bringing such organizations tour groups and individual travellers from the United states Back to Europe. Liis year american voices Are again being heard on the streets and in cafes in such popular american destinations As London pans and Rome in West Germany and Greece and in the Swiss tourist haunts of Lucerne Geneva and the Engadine Valsey officials say. We had a 10 to 20 percent increase in american tourists in May said Kurt i. Tourist director of Lucerne whose music festivals and folklore shows help to make it the Premier destination in Switzerland Tor americans last year they took the american express Tours signs off the tour buses so you could t Tell they were  Iii said. Today we Havo busloads of 40 to so people in Lucerne every Day saying american express Cooks and what have you he added. They Are cruising through Europe As  us Many tour directors across Europe Iii unhesitatingly Calls last summer a disaster brought on by fears Over the United Stales bombing of Libya the chernobyl nuclear Accident in the Ukraine and the declining Dollar. But these Days bookings Are generally up As american tourists begin trickling Back to favorite foreign destinations according to travel agencies tourist offices and american consular officials. European tourism directors say they believe their counties will sae a significant recovery in the number of american visitors during 1987. The americans May be travelling More economically using buses or discount train tickets staying for Shorter periods and Hunting for bargains but still they Are there. All signs Are that we re going to have b or 9 percent More americans this year than last year Marc Kern is of the British National tourist office in London said. I be just resumed from the West end and the place is full of  Kemmis said that with 2.5 million americans expected to visit the British Isles this year 1986 is at the Airport it s like old times by Unda White travel editor t the Frankfurt International Airport Gateway to Central Europe americans Are Bach american voices american clothes. Tons of american Brand Luggage. On the departure level. Americans Are in the Hummel figurine shop pondering a last minute Purchase and wondering in it will Fil into Tho carry on Luggage. On the arrival level a crowd is tremendous. Friends relatives and Lour guides Mill about waiting. Many have signs of greeting Welcome to Germany Fred we love you  others have brought Llowene. A bouquet or a single Rose. Tatty shirk is clutching Flowers in Ono hand and a soft drink cup in the other. She s there Wilh her parents Michael and Terry shirk of Baum older to meet her Mother s Best Friend from West Point. N v. We be been stationed Here before so she s been Over to visit two or three times says Terry they will do some travelling during the visit but Haven t made firm plans yet. Shelley Young of Dubton va., and her friends from Strasbourg France find each other in the crowd. The welcoming party includes Philip and Debbie Boggs and Jess Lubang. It s my first trip says Young i came to see Thorn i did t think about the Exchange  i think it s just those of us who live Here who do think about the Dollar rate says Philip. It sure would a Nice to see 3 Marks to the Dollar  Young has her French visa. Thore was no problem getting  upstairs Gloria Moon from  is seeing Oil two friends Mary Ann Blankenship and Zenay Cross of Sacramento alter their three week visit. We loved  says Blankenship. It was interesting and last paced to went to Franca. Luxembourg. Belgium. East Berlin. Holland London and of course we saw Germany " the French visa did t discourage them in fact they got iwo. To had one entry visas and be went saturday july 18, 1987 beginning to look something like a Hiccup in a trend of increases in american visitors to Europe in nearly every year since the end of world War ii. While tourism officials in West Germany said they expected a similar 5 percent to 10 percent increase in american Visi Lort this year tour directors in Switzerland and Italy projected the Rise at about 20 percent. Or possibly even More than  said Helmut Klee Deputy director of the Swiss National tourist office in  filed a Sharp Rise in bookings for tour groups As a key indicator of the resurgence in american interest in Europe. The Swiss official said that hotels were reporting a threefold increase in such bookings by americans Over last year and that inquiries from Tho United Stales about travel to Switzerland in the last three months had doubled since 1986. Nevertheless there appears to be Little Chance that american tourism this year will match the record level of 1985, when the Strong Dollar made hotels meals travel and shopping in Europe a bargain. In Paris for example an increase in visits by americans has been restrained try doubts Over Security that were raised by a wave of bombings last fall and new threats this year and by a declining Dollar and the requirement that americans obtain visas for travel in France. But if there was any sense of insecurity there there was no such feeling apparent at the picnic at the . Ambassador s residence in Geneva. We be been to Amsterdam Luxembourg Salzburg Venice and Lausanne and we re having a wonderful Lime said Huhn. Do we feel comfortable very much so and perfectly relaxed Back to France a second  they got another visa from the Frankfurt consulate. This was not a trip postponed from last year Blankenship s daughter visited in 1986 and they had planned to come this year. The Dilir rate was no Factor she says. They travelled by by and car. And enjoyed the trip enough to make them want to return the Only complaint i got lived of Gravy on everything says Blankenship. Over Al the main railway station too americans Ere very much in evidence. Young people with backpacks lend to voice the sentiments of James Leblanc of Slidell la. Lots of things seem extensive by i there Are ways to save Money he says i slay away from restaurants. I d rather use my Lime Tor sight seems. Anyway. My Slud enl id card is really worthwhile in getting reduced entry to museums and the youth hostels Are Good. When there in t a Hostel it s not too hard to find a cheap room Teri Onslo no i Don t think about them Al  the stars and stripes Page 13