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#21
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Why do Americans not travel more internationally ?
Larry,
I think you're on the mark here and I agree the classic US thinking is short sighted. In fact, I looked up the actual statistics and the reality seems to support your viewpoint. Americans make about 60 million trips overseas each year. Total population is about 295,000,000 and so the maximum percentage of Americans who travel overseas in any given year is a tad over 20%. That means at least 8 out of 10 Americans are clueless about the rest of the world except when they travel to EPCOT at Disney World to visit the World Showcase. On the other hand, Australians make about 3.3 million trips overseas each year. Total population is about 20,000,000 and so the maximum percentage of Australians who travel overseas in any given year is about 16.5 percent. So even adjusting for ratio, Australians are less likely to travel overseas in a given year than Americans. With that in mind and using Australian classic thinking combined with my anecdotal observations, one can determine that most Australians are very insular, don't know anything about other countries, including their own country as they readily avoid living or traveling beyond a few immediate coastal areas, and even though US Foreign Policy is marked by numerous 'stuff ups', the Australian government allows Washington to dictate it's own foreign policy. Dumb & Dumber, eh? Also, Australia is one of the most xenophobic countries in the world, right behind North Korea. That might sound outlandish (especially for Americans that still a foggy remembrance of Crocodile Dundee), but Australia does not want anybody to visit their country. We know this because the Australian immigration service requires everybody, including Americans, Europeans, and even Canadians with those sweet Maple Leaf flags to obtain visa's (prior to travel and at $20 a pop) just for the privilege of visiting their down under Shangri-la & former penal colony. The ONLY exception is for Kiwi's and that's because they have a cool name and only travel deep into the outback where there's just a handful of Australian government employees who are desperate to see a foreigner or any human being for that matter. Mark |
#22
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Why do Americans not travel more internationally ?
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#23
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Why do Americans not travel more internationally ?
On 6 Nov 2005 00:25:37 -0800, "markbyrn"
wrote: Also, Australia is one of the most xenophobic countries in the world, right behind North Korea. That might sound outlandish (especially for Americans that still a foggy remembrance of Crocodile Dundee), but Australia does not want anybody to visit their country. We know this because the Australian immigration service requires everybody, including Americans, Europeans, and even Canadians with those sweet Maple Leaf flags to obtain visa's (prior to travel and at $20 a pop) just for the privilege of visiting their down under Shangri-la & former penal colony. The ONLY exception is for Kiwi's and that's because they have a cool name and only travel deep into the outback where there's just a handful of Australian government employees who are desperate to see a foreigner or any human being for that matter. Mark Darn right too! In these post 11/9 (sorry - 9/11) and post Bali bombing days we are much too casual about allowing just about anybody in. We'll have to review the Kiwi situation:-) Can't argue with any of your points. Of course, driving over the border to a neighbouring country can make one rather damp here even if the vehicle has a long snorkel. On insularity and knowledge, one of my more interesting experiences was to be complimented, by three different people, on my good understanding of English. Twice in New Orleans, in 1967 and 2003, and once in DC in 2003. When I said thanks but wondered why they seemed impressed, all three, in slightly different words, made it clear that they thought Australia was right next to Hungary. Cheers, Alan, Australia |
#24
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Why do Americans not travel more internationally ?
On Sun, 06 Nov 2005 03:41:38 -0700, DevilsPGD
wrote: Of course the distance issue is a factor too, I can fly 9 hours without leaving my country. So can I. You have slow planes too? I suspect you mean something like USVI-Alaska or Hawaii. Try Norfolk Island - Cocos-Keeling. But I must admit, the populations in those places are a little smaller:-) Ask a Russian how long he/she can fly and stay in their country. Provided the Aeroflot stays aloft long enough. Cheers, Alan, Australia |
#25
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Why do Americans not travel more internationally ?
"Alan S" wrote in message
... Can't argue with any of your points. Of course, driving over the border to a neighbouring country can make one rather damp here even if the vehicle has a long snorkel. On insularity and knowledge, one of my more interesting experiences was to be complimented, by three different people, on my good understanding of English. Twice in New Orleans, in 1967 and 2003, and once in DC in 2003. When I said thanks but wondered why they seemed impressed, all three, in slightly different words, made it clear that they thought Australia was right next to Hungary. Well, at least they knew where Hungary was :-) |
#26
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Why do Americans not travel more internationally ?
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#27
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Why do Americans not travel more internationally ?
On Sun, 06 Nov 2005 10:44:59 +1100, Alan S wrote:
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? The point is that a large proportion of Americans live nowhere near San Diego or Buffalo. -- Barbara Vaughan My email address is my first initial followed by my last name at libero dot it. |
#28
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Why do Americans not travel more internationally ?
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#29
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Why do Americans not travel more internationally ?
Dave Smith wrote:
sechumlib 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? 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. It's no worse that it had been in most other places for years. I flew from Buffalo to Denver 9/11/02, expecting really serious security on the first anniversary of 9/11. It was no more stringent that I had experienced at Canadian and European airports on pre 9/11 flights. Do you consider that good or bad? I repeat my adjective "ineffective". |
#30
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Why do Americans not travel more internationally ?
wrote in message ... Let's try the original question again and rephrase Why do so few Americans travel "abroad" ( overseas ) for pleasure compared to those in other nations? Is that true? Do less Americans travel over seas for pleasure than people in other countries? If we are only counting folks that fly across the Atlantic, are there more Europeans coming this way than North Americans going that way? |
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