European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 13, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Travel Europe 1992 there is no a draw Down when it comes to trave by Norm Zeigler travel outdoor writer with troop cutbacks in Europe moving at express train Speed it might seem that vacation travel would be far from the minds of service members on this Side of the Atlantic but Industry officials say the opposite is True. Many americans hearing the draw Down clock ticking Ever louder Are travelling More than Ever. Quot most americans that Are Here now realize that this is probably the last time they will Ever be assigned Here with the military Quot says Robert l. Wyatt assistant managing director of scheduled airlines travel offices a overseas the army s on base travel Agency in Germany. Through february Sato s Gross Revenue for non air Leisure travel was 146 percent above the same period in 1991. Though last year s figures were skewed by the Gulf War and the threat of terrorism the figures Are also 45 percent above the 1990 Pace. This despite what Wyatt Calls Quot a loss in customer base of 40 percent Quot because of the draw Down. Wyatt s assessment is echoed by Kim Slater Safe recreation director. Quot a lot of people realize they Are leaving and they want to get around Quot Slater says adding Quot 92 is looking  Brigitte Colantonio owner of top Tours says her business normally slows Down in the fall and Winter the so called Quot Low  but since the end of the Gulf w a there has been a continual Boom with business remaining High even during the colder months. Quot this year we really Haven t had a very Low season she says. The reason for the surge Colantonio says is that people Are trying to cram in As much travelling As they can before returning to the United states. The upturn on this Side of the Atlantic is in Sharp contrast to the situation in the United states. According to a recent article in the Magazine of the american society of travel agents the . Travel Industry has remained Flat a with a growth rate of 1 percent or less the last two years a because of the continuing Overall recession both Wyatt and Colantonio have noticed another trend military travellers Are taking More expensive Tours than they did before. Ron Van Kranen Sato s Leisure travel director says Revenue for the company s Quot High Quality Quot Tours has jumped 300-400 percent this year. Included under the High Quality designation Are such non bus tour offerings As Fly and drive vacations airline and hotel packages and cruises. In addition to the Standard bus Tours and package vacations service members in Europe have followed a decade Long stateside shift that has seen an increased popularity of adventure vacations. Slater a a. A r a m life moves at a slower Pace on the greek Island of halon eos. A amps Ken George who Heads the air Force s information ticket and tour offices in Europe As Well As its outdoor recreation centers has followed the trend and adapted to it. In addition to ski trips the centers offer getaways organized around Rock climbing hut to nut hiking in the Alps kayaking and other Active sports. Organized travel will continue to be a leading option but Many americans prefer to strike out on their own. Dating at least to the Days when they headed across the Prairies in Wagon trains americans have Long been among the world s most adventurous travellers camping is immensely popular in Europe. In parts of Spain France and continued on Page 3 Index to editorial contents 4-8 Europe the eur ail Way 10-11 with the kids 13-15 new horizons in Eastern Europe 17-19 exploring the United kingdom and Ireland 20-21 the heartland Central Europe 22-23 this y ear s in spots 24 guide to the Money changing game 26-28 the Mediterranean countries 30-33 seeing it by car 36-39 bus Tours is. Going it alone 41 bavarian vacations through arc 42-43 Calendar of events staff editors George Manes John Taylor Norm Zeig an director Sharon Kilday tar ram makeup editors tinier Schroder Brian Smith 2 travel Europe May 13, 1992