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Why do Americans not travel more internationally ?



 
 
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  #1  
Old November 5th, 2005, 08:44 PM
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Default Why do Americans not travel more internationally ?


The per capita percentage of Americans that travel internationally for
pleasure is low compared to other western nations.

This seems strange, given the relatively high standard of living and
disposable income of Americans.

Although there has been a recent spike of US citizens obtaining
passports, thi sis mainly due to recent legislation and it is doubtful
the passports will increase the amount of travel outside North
America.

Why is the international travel so low ?
  #2  
Old November 5th, 2005, 09:16 PM
Bill McKee
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Default Why do Americans not travel more internationally ?


wrote in message
...

The per capita percentage of Americans that travel internationally for
pleasure is low compared to other western nations.

This seems strange, given the relatively high standard of living and
disposable income of Americans.

Although there has been a recent spike of US citizens obtaining
passports, thi sis mainly due to recent legislation and it is doubtful
the passports will increase the amount of travel outside North
America.

Why is the international travel so low ?


Big country. Lots to do and see here. Europe is actually a lot of small
countries. So a 2 hour drive gets you international travel, while a 2 hour
drive in California, does not get you out of the state. Statistics are
marvelous aren't they?


  #5  
Old November 6th, 2005, 12:19 AM
Dave Smith
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Default Why do Americans not travel more internationally ?

Bill McKee wrote:

Big country. Lots to do and see here. Europe is actually a lot of small
countries. So a 2 hour drive gets you international travel, while a 2 hour
drive in California, does not get you out of the state. Statistics are
marvelous aren't they?


If the definition of "international traveller" were modified to mean that
Europeans had to leave the EU their numbers would drop. A person from Paris can
leave their home at 8 am, be in Belgium a little after 9, be in Holland by
10:30, swing over to Germany for lunch and be home for dinner. Many Americans
can drive twice that far and never leave the US.



  #6  
Old November 6th, 2005, 12:43 AM
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Default Why do Americans not travel more internationally ?

A large fraction of the Americans that do travel internationally for
pleasure go to resorts in Mexico or the Caribbean, or to major cities
in Europe.

Only a very small percentage of the US popuation travel for pleasure in
Asia, Africa, the Middle East, or South America.

  #7  
Old November 6th, 2005, 12:44 AM
Alan S
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Default Why do Americans not travel more internationally ?

On Sat, 05 Nov 2005 20:16:49 GMT, "Bill McKee"
wrote:

Big country. Lots to do and see here. Europe is actually a lot of small
countries. So a 2 hour drive gets you international travel, while a 2 hour
drive in California, does not get you out of the state. Statistics are
marvelous aren't they?


Have you driven two hours south of San Diego? Or two hours
north of Buffalo?

Cheers, Alan, Australia
  #9  
Old November 6th, 2005, 01:06 AM
sechumlib
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Default Why do Americans not travel more internationally ?

Bill McKee wrote:
wrote in message
...

The per capita percentage of Americans that travel internationally for
pleasure is low compared to other western nations.

This seems strange, given the relatively high standard of living and
disposable income of Americans.

Although there has been a recent spike of US citizens obtaining
passports, thi sis mainly due to recent legislation and it is doubtful
the passports will increase the amount of travel outside North
America.

Why is the international travel so low ?



Big country. Lots to do and see here. Europe is actually a lot of small
countries. So a 2 hour drive gets you international travel, while a 2 hour
drive in California, does not get you out of the state. Statistics are
marvelous aren't they?


I'm sure that's a large part of it. However, another factor is the
extreme unpleasantness of flying in the US these days, whether
internationally or domestically. This is partly because of the pervasive
and ineffective security measures, and partly because the airlines have
made air travel as horrific as they possibly could.

My wife and I flew extensively before 2001, going to lots of places
inside and out of the US. Since January 2001 (note: LONG BEFORE 9/11),
we have not boarded a plane. Until things change massively, we will NOT
be boarding any planes.
  #10  
Old November 6th, 2005, 01:09 AM
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Default Why do Americans not travel more internationally ?


Not only do you have to cross the Atlantic, but just getting to the
east coast of the U.S. can be a huge trip for many folks. The U.S. is
bigger than all the countries of Europe combined; see this graphic:

http://all.snapsoid.com/580/~Size_co...and_Europe.jpg


Jim

 




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