European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 30, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Last minute trips a a a a can f \ a. A v a. A a a a a pc \. To a a a a a a a. 0 a a a. V--s9 a  n to in it a a a a  Quot a a a a a a a a  a a a v a a a a. A s a vacationers soak up the Sun s rays on the los Cristiano Beach on Tenerife in the Canary islands. A amps Kevin  chances by Kevin Dougherty staff writer a a 7 there Are a couple of approaches to consider when shopping around for a last minute airline ticket or vacation package. One strategy requires a certain amount of Effort and forethought while the other tactic involves less work but More spontaneity. But before we delve deeper into both options one thing is certain bargains abound for the a a traveler who is willing to Chuck the conventional course of shopping for All the excitement and risk that goes with any fire sate. Quot in the last year the discount travel business has become very popular Quot said Gabriele Kohlscheen of International tourist services or its an Agency based in Cologne Germany. Quot people think they can save  and they can. Quot it s becoming More and More common to Book your trip right on the spot Quot said Karen Lohnert general sales manager for the discount travel Branch of first a Reisaburo management a Mph. The Quot spot Quot that Lohnert alluded to is your nearest Airport although Many of the companies that operate there probably have offices elsewhere. Everyday in Germany batches of airline tickets and vacation packages Are uttered up at prices that would make the Blue Light specialist at Kmart Blush with envy. Consider the following round trip air fares from Frankfurt International Airport to Chicago for $440 Vancouver Canada for $415 London for $100. England has its share of discount travel agencies although most pass the word in newspaper ads. Fligh bookers is the Only company with an office. Conveniently located at an Airport in this Case at Catwick a British civil aviation regulation forbids the Sale of discounted tickets at airports but Fligh bookers found a loophole by renting space at the South terminal railway concourse which is technically not Airport property. Unfortunately for those stationed in the Mediterranean Region last minute travel agencies Are nonexistent at the airports in Milan and Rome july. Quot the phenomenon is not formally organised in Italy As it is in other countries Quot said Maria Bergamin who Heads a italia s air Italy foreign press office in Rome. But that certainly is not the Case to the North. Andrew Nicholson aviation and product manager for Fligh bookers attributes the Boom to Quot consumer awareness and the growth of the Independent  in Germany where its inhabitants have grown accustomed to travelling abroad the Rise in discount travel opportunities parallels the country s recent recession Lohnert believes. Quot the reason w by people Are looking for these cheap trips is that the economic situation in Germany is not Good Quot she said. A a Quot nowadays Quot Lohnert added Quot people seek every possibility to save  so How do americans living in Europe dabble in this a Market a a. Everyone knows the conventional method. You walk into a travel Agency plop Down at an agent s desk and Tell the person where and whim you want to go then you Cut a Check and they Cut you Loose with ticket in hand. It s painless but often pricey perhaps the surest of the two options mentioned above is the first the one that requires  More Effort and forethought than the latter Avenue. With so Many discount travel companies in business you can work the phones visit a few offices and usually find a decent Price on a vacation package to the destination of your Choice. Typically this exercise occurs a few weeks in Advance of the intended departure.  an option in t really Quot last minute Quot at least not in the spirit of the sport. The other tactic is to schedule a week off and take your chances with whatever is available waiting until a couple of Days prior to your scheduled vacation. The key is flexibility. For example you May want to go to Majorca for a week but if there s a better Deal to i be Canary Island the turkish Riviera Tunisia or wherever you May want to alter your plans. In Germany most major airports have counter space set aside for discounted fares and packages. Four of the most successful companies Art. I air Nur last minute continued on Page w Jane 30, 1994 a does Maga me amp