French tourism down in 2003 as Americans stay away

[rodbarnett]

PARIS, Feb 25 (Reuters) - France, the world's top tourist destination, suffered a drop in visitors and tourism revenues in 2003 as concerns over the war in Iraq and a weak dollar kept away U.S. visitors, official figures showed on Wednesday.

<snip>

U.S. visitors fell 18.3 percent to 2.4 million in 2003, when the dollar fell and relations between Paris and Washington soured over France's opposition to the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

That was a big blow because U.S. tourists spend more on average than people from other countries and opt for longer stays, according to a report detailing the figures.

"The drop in American revenues was particularly pronounced. For more than 30 years, the United States has been the country that has been the most profitable for France in terms of tourism revenues," it said.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L25397686.htm

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

1. THAT'LL TEACH 'EM.

I hope people around the world don't decide to apply the same treatment to the US.

[saigon68]

26. Actually its not that simple.

One of the factors is the exchange rate. The Euro is now worth 70% more than it was 3 years ago. What that means is a souvenir that used to cost $1.00 US now costs $1.70.

A lot of people I know are not going to Europe (not just France)because it is Too Expensive.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

33. True, nothing is ever that simple.

I just like posting smart ass comments.

[Democat]

2. What about Germany and England's tourism?

This article doesn't give any data on how France's tourism drop compared to other countries.

Does anyone have these numbers?

[trogdor]

8. Germany isn't really a tourist mecca.

Neither is England, really. The weather sucks, and the romance associated with Paris is nonexistent. Post Cold War Berlin, which is still the coolest place in Germany even if spy novels are no longer set there, is just another city.

[Flagg]

12. Germany isn't really a tourist mecca

no but Italy and Spain are
and there was also a drop in tourism there

[cprise]

3. Anyone for organizing DU tours to France?

I've never been and would love to go...

[K8-EEE]

25. Mais Oui!

I've been and it's awesome. Why the hell is everyone so mad at them again? OH YEAH! Cuz they dared to not believe Shrub & Co.

VIVE LA FRANCE!

[saigon68]

27. Oui, je pense que c'est une idée splendide

Nous devons montrer les français, cela que nous ne sommes pas tous les cowboys ignorants

[Rich Hunt]

29. DU Tours

This would be a fun thing. We have semi-annual European tours at my college, and anyone from the college community can go.

Of course, DU is national, but I suppose it could be done.

[historian]

4. the real reason

the freepers will jump all over this and say i told you so to the french - the reality is that the dollar is collapsing and europe becomes prohibitely expensive.
in 1973 the dollar collapsed and nobody would touch it - probably will happen again - till we show the world we have a brain in the white house and not some masturbating frustrated wannbe john wayns

[Democat]

5. The article only talks about France, not other EU countries

Propaganda?

[historian]

13. absolutely

I travel frequently to London and the only way i can afford staying there is because my aunt lets me use her apartment - otherwise id be paying about 130 a day for a miserable hole somewhere. Its widespread but its convenient to attack the french who, incidientally, have more culture and intelligence than the entire pack in the white house.

[Paschall]

15. Tourism is one of the largest industries in France

Did you notice the figures in the article? 75 million visitors a year. France only has a population of 60 million.

I think the US--with a population of 280 million--attracts all of about 50 million international visitors a year.

[Bridget Burke]

6. Yes, it's the plunging dollar....

Not anti-French sentiments. A friend vacationed in London recently; she loved it but felt like a 3rd worlder when it came to shopping--or eating.

[Hamlette]

7. I'm going to France in May

and my son is spending the summer there. I tell all my republican coworkers: "I'm one of the few people who got a sizable tax cut from Bush, which I was against by the way. But since I've got it, I've decided to take it and spend it in France 'cause they got it right on Iraq. Oh, and thank you! My summer in France will be paid for by your reduced Social Security benefits." (Added the last part today. Get that wacko out of my white house!!!!)

[Jack from Charlotte]

18. I'm going to Paris in May, also.....

and I tell everyone the thing I'm looking forward to the most is being in a place that won't have any Republicans in it.

Have a large, great looking apartment reserved on Rue Richileu near The Louvre for less than the cost of an average hotel room.

[newyawker99]

23. Hi Jack from Charlotte!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Paschall]

35. In May, Americans Against the War in Paris

...is hosting the international congress of American Voices Abroad, a coalition of groups across Europe opposed to the Bush regime.

If you're intereted in details send me a DU message.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

9. More punishment of the French by the NeoCons.

[Flagg]

11. I don't feel punished

can't say the same about the US military in Irak

[dawn]

10. In 2002, I went to France. I'll go back this year if I can get a job.

[Romulus]

14. Honeymoon in Corsica planned

I'll be there in two months, spending what little money we have to help keep the French economy going . . .

[mobuto]

19. Corsica isn't France

At least it isn't to the Corsican nationalists.

But it is gorgeous. I hope you have a great time.

[ze_dscherman]

36. Me too!

We'll be there the first two weeks of April. But not for a honeymoon, "only" two weeks on bicycles. Even for someone from Eurozone it's pretty expensive, IIRC - travelled there about 10 years ago and loved it.

Have a great time there!

[mainer]

16. The weak dollar is the main reason, I think

When you pay 6 bucks for a cup of coffee, that's getting pretty stiff! We were there last year, just as the dollar was collapsing. But it was WONDERFUL not having to compete with hordes of other Americans.

[jakpalmer]

28. 6$ ???

You where ripped.

Usually an espresso is worth 1.25 to 2.30 euros tops !

BTW:

I really miss the american tourists in Paris.
August is the best month here: more tourists than parisians, what a relief !
:)

[mainer]

32. Actually, we drank coffee all over France!

Outside the city (e.g., Reims,) we paid maybe 1.50 Euros. In Paris, we often encountered far more expensive coffees. (I recall that with the awful exchange rate it worked out to $6.00 cappucinos.) We spent two months in Paris and just loved it, expensive though it was. But I have to admit, we did hang out in areas like St. Germain where you'd expect to find expensive coffees. (We HAD to sit outside Cafe de Flores at least once!)

[MasonJar]

17. The Bushies" attitude toward France is the best reason I know

to go there; however, I do not see flying to Europe right now. We need to get some French pen pals and let them know that we t'adore.

[DrRang]

20. French Tourism

We're trying to get it together to go to Guadeloupe and Martinique sometime in May--close as we can afford to France--interest sparked by a posting that I think was on DU. Anybody got useful info?

[newyawker99]

24. Hi DrRang!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[saigon68]

30. Bienvenue à DU

Nous sommes heureux de vous voir ici
:-) :-)

[silverpatronus]

37. martinique

DrRang where are you from?

i've been to martinique. beautiful island, fabulous beaches, good food. road fatalities out the wazoo. my advice to you, hire a car and driver (not that expensive really) or taxi it. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE unless you have balls of steel.

[DrRang]

38. No balls of steel, no balls at all

Thanks silverpatronus--
Actually, the DrRang ID is in honor of a one-eyed dog of the same name we had years ago. A local drunk used to pick up Dr. Rang and ride him around, hoping the "cute doggie" might attract women.
But I'm female and we live in New Mexico, just south of Albuquerque. Thanks for the tip about not driving in Martinique

[JoFerret]

21. It made visiting France all the more

wonderful. Fewer tourists. Go - if you can France is great. Oh! and take in the UK while you are at it - most Brits think Blair lost his mind over Iraq.

[radwriter0555]

22. LOL right, like it had NOTHING to do with the HORRID dollar rates...

we were in France for June and our dollar went nowhere... and that wasn't FRANCE'S fault either.

We were treated like royalty. It was the best part of our trip.

[tinymontgomery]

31. My sister-in-law

My sister-in-law is taking my son during spring break. I wish I could go with them. I've been to France a few times and loved it.

[SOS]

34. European tourism in NYC

is down 30%. Seems that even with a strong euro, Europeans have decided to spend their vacation dollars elsewhere.
Yes, NYC hotels are booked to capacity, but the visitors are fellow Americans. American tourism to NYC is way up.

[NC_Nurse]

39. I'd love to go

if I had any money!
Welcome to all the newbies!:D