European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 31, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Tourism takes nosedive most travellers staying homely Norm Zeigler travel outdoor writer the War in it the persian Gulf has had a disastrous effect on the tourism Industry in Europe. Especially among. Americans the trend has been to cancel first rather than think Over planned vacations on this Side of the Atlantic. The on base travel business has been hit hard. Gisela Haugen who runs the information ticket and Tours branches at Ramstein a and Vogel Weh Germany said business at her offices is off 70 to 80 percent. Quot it has affected us tremendously Quot Haugen said. Quot a lot of cancellations came from people who have been deployed Quot Laugen said. She said no one has Given the threat of terrorism As a reason for cancelling. Haugen said the downturn has hit bus tour companies As Well As airlines. A a. A because of the slump which began with operation desert shield and intensified with the coming of the War Haugen has had to Lay off seven people a half of he staff. The Vogel Weh office has been temporarily closed. Andrea Tantillo a regional manager for the scheduled airline travel office a overseas the army s on base travel Agency in Germany said Leisure travel bookings Are also Down 70 percent to 80 percent at the four Sato offices she runs. Sato is a consortium of american. Airlines. In addition to Leisure travel Sato also handles official airline travel for the army. Tantillo said the Sale of airline tickets for official travel has not declined. Tantillo said business for the bus tour companies is Way Down. The Start of the War brought Quot massive cancellations Quot said Brigitte Colantonio who operates. Top Tours one of the biggest bus tour companies in Germany catering to the american Market. She estimated that the volume of her business is off Quot at least 80 percent Quot and her company has been forced to cancel More than 40 Tours since Jan. 17. Colantonio called the near Hall in travel by americans Quot a Little bit of an overreaction and said she thinks it is Only temporary. Sarah Dale chairman of the British incoming tour operators association attributed the drastic decline to an Quot irrational fear Quot and said the chances of any individual traveler being Hurt or killed Are extremely Small. She ailed the Security precautions at airports and tourist Sites Quot colossal Quot and said Quot i personally believe it s perfectly Sale. It s More dangerous in the new York . Dale said that travel to Britain has dropped 50 to 60 percent since the outbreak of hostilities two weeks ago. Quot there was a pretty Quick knee Erk rear Tion when the War broke out Quot Dale said. She said the decline cuts across the Industry and includes airline ticket sales package Tours and hotel. Reservations. According to Dale it is not just americans. Who Are cancelling Tours to Britain but All. Foreign tourists. But she estimated that bookings of package Tours by americans Are Down 80 percent. Dale said her organization normally handles about 3 million bookings a year some 20 percent of the total foreign package Tours in All of Britain. Another country popular w Ith americans that has Bernhard hit is France. An official at the French tourist. Ministry in Paris estimated that foreign tourism is off 40 percent in France since the Start of the Gulf War. The official said the decline has been less than in England because Quot we have a lot of people coming from Europe. And they Are not so afraid us americans or japanese  the official said the drop off lets not caused serious losses yet because january is traditionally a slow month for tourism. Quot the problem will be alter april Quot she  her British counterpart,.the French official downplayed the risks to travellers. She said France is taking All necessary Security Steps and even made the same comparison with new York. Quot we live normally but we take precautions a she said. A a Security expert uses a new device to Check Luggage for explosives at the Munich Airport in Germany the european country that has the largest concentrations of . Troops local economies have also Felt the travel crunch. In Rothenburg of Der Tauber a medieval City that is traditionally a huge drawing card for americans tourist business is off 30 percent to 40 percent. Quot it s not so much the War but the fear of terrorism Quot said tourist director Johann Kempter. Kempter could not provide figures on the number of american visitors to the City annually but said americans account for about one third some 70,000. Of the overnight hotel bookings each year. A most of the Industry officials contacted said the tourism slowdown May Benefit some travellers. Dale said those who do choose to travel will find some distinct advantages including Quot some great otters Quot and no lines at tourist Sites. The French official said people should not let tear Rule their lives Quot if you Are upset you can t live Quot she said. Her opinion was echoed by Dale. Quot giving in to this is giving in to Saddam Hussein Quot Dale said. Quot he wants to Hurt Western . Top Tours has taken Steps designed to ease the fears of travellers. The weekend before the United nations deadline expired the company instituted a list of upgraded Security measures. Bus Drivers now Check the id cards of All boarding passengers Transfer Points Are changed for every departure and Luggage will be loaded Only after it has been identified by a passenger. The company also advises clients not to Wear clothing that would make them stand out As americans. Despite the Security upgrade Colantonio said top. Tours is currently getting Only about five tour bookings a Day "10 percent of the average Day in january. We just have to go from Day to Day tighten our  the company has also proposed a special program of Quot family support Tours Quot designed for the wives and children of services members on duty in the Gult. Colantonio said she can easily identify with them. Quot i had two Small children when my husband was in Vietnam so i know exactly How they  she said the Tours will have two guides and special activities for children. 10 stripes Magazine january 31, 1991