 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
| HomeDiscussion Groups Destinations USA and CanadaEuropeAustralia and NZAsiaLatin AmericaCaribbean IslandsAfricaTravel Types Air TravelCruisesRV Travel |
Travel Forum / Destinations / Europe / July 2008How is tourism in Europe?
I have been wondering how is tourism in Europe, in terms of number of tourists for this time of year, in light of the $$, Euro exchange rate. I would expect that tourism, in general, has dropped dramatically. Please give me some of your thoughts. If it has, it might be good to bite the bullet and travel while there are fewer (less?) people to be bothered with. Thank you, JW > I have been wondering how is tourism in Europe, in terms of number of > tourists for this time of year, in light of the $$, Euro exchange rate. I > would expect that tourism, in general, has dropped dramatically. Please give > me some of your thoughts. If it has, it might be good to bite the bullet and > travel while there are fewer (less?) people to be bothered with. Tourism is just fine in Europe, but there are fewer American tourists. It's not that the euro is rising, it's just that the dollar is dropping, and Americans are only a fraction of tourists even in the best of times. >> I have been wondering how is tourism in Europe, in terms of number of >> tourists for this time of year, in light of the $$, Euro exchange rate. I [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > not that the euro is rising, it's just that the dollar is dropping, and > Americans are only a fraction of tourists even in the best of times. Thanks for the information. You caught me with me ethno-centric pants down. > You caught me with me ethno-centric pants down. Don't worry, it happens here all the time. :-)  SignatureTim C. >> I have been wondering how is tourism in Europe, in terms of number of >> tourists for this time of year, in light of the $$, Euro exchange rate. I [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > not that the euro is rising, it's just that the dollar is dropping, and > Americans are only a fraction of tourists even in the best of times. > > I have been wondering how is tourism in Europe, in terms of number of > > tourists for this time of year, in light of the $$, Euro exchange rate. I [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > not that the euro is rising, it's just that the dollar is dropping, and > Americans are only a fraction of tourists even in the best of times. Currencies do not rise or fall in a vacuum. It's always against another currency. >I have been wondering how is tourism in Europe, in terms of number of >tourists for this time of year, in light of the $$, Euro exchange rate. I >would expect that tourism, in general, has dropped dramatically. Please >give me some of your thoughts. If it has, it might be good to bite the >bullet and travel while there are fewer (less?) people to be bothered with. >Thank you, The English seaside seems to be doing very well indeed. Mainly because lots of people can't afford a holiday abroad this year... SignatureWilliam Black I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Barbeques on fire by the chalets past the castle headland I watched the gift shops glitter in the darkness off the Newborough gate All these moments will be lost in time, like icecream on the beach Time for tea. Following up to William Black > Mainly because lots of people can't afford a holiday abroad this year... except of course so often british holidays work out more expensive than foreign, unless your thinking of a caravan at Clacton. SignatureMike........ remove clothing to email > Following up to William Black > >> Mainly because lots of people can't afford a holiday abroad this year... > > except of course so often british holidays work out more expensive than > foreign, People aren't stupid and foreign holidays often have hidden costs. Travel to the airport, airport parking, visas, injections and all the rest add costs that just aren't there for a UK holiday. If you're going to Spain then they're lower than if you're going to, for example, Upper Volta... Plus you don't have to go through bloody Heathrow... Do you fancy taking a baby through airport security ? Or even a four year old? SignatureWilliam Black I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Barbeques on fire by the chalets past the castle headland I watched the gift shops glitter in the darkness off the Newborough gate All these moments will be lost in time, like icecream on the beach Time for tea. Following up to William Black > Do you fancy taking a baby through airport security ? not even my camera! Everything to do with commercial flying is dreary, but a package to Spain gives (say) a three star fourtnight with better facilities and price than the UK. You wont catch us on it but its cheap. SignatureMike........ remove clothing to email >> Following up to William Black >> [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Travel to the airport, I'd do more driving on a UK holiday > airport parking, £52 for a week is hardly going to break the bank. > visas, Not if you don't leave the EU and sometimes not even then. > injections Just where do you think the average Brit takes their holiday? Last injection I had was for smallpox. > and all the rest add costs that just aren't there for a UK holiday. Except that the base cost will be a lot higher for a UK holiday, so you gain overall. > Plus you don't have to go through bloody Heathrow... Haven't used Heathrow for many years. > Do you fancy taking a baby through airport security ? > > Or even a four year old? I wouldn't fancy taking either anywhere, but if security worries you, there is always the tunnel. Colin Bignell >> airport parking, > > £52 for a week is hardly going to break the bank. For you maybe. Some have tighter budgets. SignatureTim C. >>> airport parking, >> >> £52 for a week is hardly going to break the bank. > > For you maybe. Some have tighter budgets. Taken in context, which is comparing the cost of a family holiday in Britain as against one abroad, it is unlikely to be a significant part of the total cost and will be offset by the overall savings. Even the person taking a caravan holiday in Clacton is not going to get away without spending several hundred pounds, at least that was the experience of a chap I know who has just come back from a budget caravan holiday, which cost him £650 for a family of three, even though he has his own caravan. Colin Bignell > Taken in context, which is comparing the cost of a family holiday in Britain > as against one abroad, it is unlikely to be a significant part of the total > cost and will be offset by the overall savings. Only insignificant to people who don't have to count every penny (or cent). If you're going on a Spanish holiday because it's cheaper than staying home, and you're pushing the bank account anyway, then the extra 50 quid can be an important factor. Maybe it's GBP50 less spending money, or it's just to much over the limit to allow a holiday in the first place. SignatureTim C. Following up to Tim C. > If you're going on a Spanish holiday because it's cheaper than staying > home, and you're pushing the bank account anyway, then the extra 50 quid > can be an important factor. Maybe it's GBP50 less spending money, or it's > just to much over the limit to allow a holiday in the first place. i dont think people on a budget usually park at the airport. SignatureMike........ remove clothing to email >> Taken in context, which is comparing the cost of a family holiday in >> Britain [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > can be an important factor. Maybe it's GBP50 less spending money, or it's > just to much over the limit to allow a holiday in the first place. However, it won't be £50. It will be the difference between £50 and the fares both ways for a family if they travel any other way. From my local railways station to the airport I normally use, for a family of four, the parking is an extra £9 and is a lot more convenient. Colin Bignell >> Only insignificant to people who don't have to count every penny (or >> cent). [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > railways station to the airport I normally use, for a family of four, the > parking is an extra £9 and is a lot more convenient. Maybe they get friends/family to drop them off. So all possible options are open. SignatureTim C. Following up to Tim C. > Maybe they get friends/family to drop them off. did you know Ken actually wanted to stop people doing that, miserable car hating git that he was. He called it "kiss and something or other" He's probably never taken a family holiday with kids starting from some place like here. SignatureMike........ remove clothing to email >Following up to Tim C. > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >probably never taken a family holiday with kids starting from some place >like here. Ken proposed it as an anti-congestion measure more than five years ago. However, he was only talking about UKP5 per vehicle. According to these more recent stories, the projected price has gone up considerably: <http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23456693-details/%C2%A320 +charge+to+drop+off+passengers+at+Heathrow+airport/article.do> <http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1596777.ece> Signaturecongokid Eating out in London? Read my tips... http://congokid.com >>Following up to Tim C. >> [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] >+charge+to+drop+off+passengers+at+Heathrow+airport/article.do> ><http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1596777.ece> Great restaurant tips. Thanks. >Great restaurant tips. Thanks. Thanks, but you've made me feel really guilty. Ever since I went freelance my site is a bit neglected. I should take a week or two and give it a spring clean. Signaturecongokid Eating out in London? Read my tips... http://congokid.com > Following up to Tim C. > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > probably never taken a family holiday with kids starting from some place > like here. They're actually encouraging it here... "kiss and fly" I think it is. SignatureTim C. Following up to Tim C. > They're actually encouraging it here... "kiss and fly" I think it is. thats the term! SignatureMike........ remove clothing to email >>> Only insignificant to people who don't have to count every penny (or >>> cent). [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > are > open. They could also walk to the airport, if you really want to clutch at straws. However, in the context of the original post, parking is still not likely to be much of a factor when comparing the cost of an average UK holiday with that of an average foreign trip. Colin Bignell "Tim C." <timchallenger@yahoo.co.uk> kirjoitti viestissä:kfjlymd0syvp$.r6i38m9y98a2.dlg@40tude.net... >>> airport parking, >> >> £52 for a week is hardly going to break the bank. > > For you maybe. Some have tighter budgets. And it would be dull even if one could afford the bill. My horse had an open door stable at home for 65 euros a year. Now, at more secure place it is a bit more expensive. 52 pounds a week is banditry. Arrive in the airport by taxi instead. > "Tim C." <timchallenger@yahoo.co.uk> kirjoitti > viestissä:kfjlymd0syvp$.r6i38m9y98a2.dlg@40tude.net... [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > is a bit more expensive. 52 pounds a week is banditry. Arrive in the > airport by taxi instead. Which would mean leaving the airport by taxi, which would mean using the only cabs licenced to operate from the airport, which would cost more than the parking. Colin Bignell >> "Tim C." <timchallenger@yahoo.co.uk> kirjoitti >> viestissä:kfjlymd0syvp$.r6i38m9y98a2.dlg@40tude.net... [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > the parking. > Colin Bignell Que ?? Only cabs licensed to operate from the airport are allowed ? Not much of competition but what for ? >>> "Tim C." <timchallenger@yahoo.co.uk> kirjoitti >>> viestissä:kfjlymd0syvp$.r6i38m9y98a2.dlg@40tude.net... [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > Que ?? Only cabs licensed to operate from the airport are allowed ? > Not much of competition but what for ? I'm not sure what Nightjar is on about. The rules about picking up a taxi at a UK airport are the same as anywhere else. Either you arrange for a pre-booked mini cab to meet you, or you get a 'black' cab and pay the metered fare. The metered fare will be the same as if you hailed the cab in the street. You get in an un-booked mini cab at your peril, they will usually be un-insured and often change more than a black cab would have. He is right that the airport authorities have a system of only allowing cabs who have bought some sort of permit to pick up at the airport, but they don't recoup the cost of this permit through higher fares, they do it through a presumption of longer trips. Tim ... > The rules about picking up a taxi at a UK airport are the same as anywhere > else. Either you arrange for a pre-booked mini cab to meet you, or you > get a 'black' cab and pay the metered fare. The metered fare will be the > same as if you hailed the cab in the street.... When I tried this, the mini-cab company that I booked to the airport was not prepared to meet me on my return. Apparently, they had had too many problems with people who were not willing to pay extra for the cab waiting for late arrivals and yes, I did try different companies. That left the black cabs based at the airport. Metered fares only apply within defined geographic limits and I live outside those, so the fare would have to be negotiated and include the cost of the return trip. Colin Bignell "nightjar .me.uk>" <cpb@<insert my surname here> kirjoitti viestissä:Pu-dnSogcvkByfPVnZ2dneKdnZydnZ2d@giganews.com... >> "Tim C." <timchallenger@yahoo.co.uk> kirjoitti >> viestissä:kfjlymd0syvp$.r6i38m9y98a2.dlg@40tude.net... [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > only cabs licenced to operate from the airport, which would cost more than > the parking. Everyone can do the arithmetic bit of work. There are a few variables concerned: length of the ideal route between home and the airport; size of the time frame one's car stands on a parking lot. Even if taxi drives would become somewhat more expensive, I assume most travellers rather stick on them than the self drive option. Am Fri, 4 Jul 2008 12:37:20 +0300 schrieb Markku Grönroos: > And it would be dull even if one could afford the bill. My horse had an open > door stable at home for 65 euros a year. You ride your horse to the airport and tie it to the check-in counter? SCNR, Frank Following up to Tim C. >> £52 for a week is hardly going to break the bank. > > For you maybe. Some have tighter budgets. the people across the street from me have a tighter budget, they take a package to Spain, Cyprus, Greece etc. No visa, no injections, no Heathrow, no airport parking (they use PT). Next door do much the same but self book through the internet. Those who budget holiday in UK do it in caravans etc. Where I stay in UK in comparable accommodation to Spain, it costs me much more here. SignatureMike........ remove clothing to email Following up to nightjar >> Do you fancy taking a baby through airport security ? >> >> Or even a four year old? > > I wouldn't fancy taking either anywhere, but if security worries you, there > is always the tunnel. if i was taking a child on holiday, I would favour spain, they actually like children. SignatureMike........ remove clothing to email > Plus you don't have to go through bloody Heathrow... But you're stuck on the M5 for the same time without a proper toilet. SignatureTim C. Following up to Tim C. >> Plus you don't have to go through bloody Heathrow... > > But you're stuck on the M5 for the same time without a proper toilet. yes, at peak times. I go to the west country several times a year, i'm never in a jam by the expedients of the alarm clock and the full set of 1" OS maps. You can even go to the Lake District without sitting in Brum for two hours, except on Friday night of course. SignatureMike........ remove clothing to email Am Thu, 3 Jul 2008 20:09:26 +0100 schrieb William Black: > People aren't stupid and foreign holidays often have hidden costs. > > Travel to the airport, airport parking, visas, injections and all the rest > add costs that just aren't there for a UK holiday. The typical britisch tourist that spends two weeks in Ibiza or Tenerife don't has to bother with visa or injections. > Plus you don't have to go through bloody Heathrow... > > Do you fancy taking a baby through airport security ? Done that many times. Where's the problem? > Or even a four year old? Also. No problem at all. Regards, Frank Following up to Frank Hucklenbroich >> Travel to the airport, airport parking, visas, injections and all the rest >> add costs that just aren't there for a UK holiday. > > The typical britisch tourist that spends two weeks in Ibiza or Tenerife > don't has to bother with visa or injections. I do Spain and I do UK for holidays, I stay in high end places in spain but no way can I afford the same in UK. The downside of going to spain is flying (and its hand baggage alowance and other associated crap). Nothing much else. SignatureMike........ remove clothing to email >I have been wondering how is tourism in Europe, in terms of number of >tourists for this time of year, in light of the $$, Euro exchange rate. I >would expect that tourism, in general, has dropped dramatically. Please >give me some of your thoughts. If it has, it might be good to bite the >bullet and travel while there are fewer (less?) people to be bothered with. >Thank you, JW Not much of reduction here in Stockholm,Sweden. This summer we have an all-time high of big cruise ship arrivals , think it's 265 arrivals of ships average size 50000-130000ton. Anyway most visitors are from neighbor countries Norway,Finland,Germany but if now a few of the Americans are missing they're replaced with people from Russia and China. Especially those from China are visible more and more but we can also see a lot from south Europe especially Spain where people can afford more travelling now. > >I have been wondering how is tourism in Europe, in terms of number of > >tourists for this time of year, in light of the $$, Euro exchange rate. I [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > lot from south Europe especially Spain where people can afford more > travelling now. And if they can afford to visit Stockholm, they can afford to go just about anywhere. >>> I have been wondering how is tourism in Europe, in terms of number of >>> tourists for this time of year, in light of the $$, Euro exchange rate. I >>> would expect that tourism, in general, has dropped dramatically. Please As a tour guide in Normandy I can say that American visitors have dropped slightly due to the Dollar/Euro situation but not dramatically. One of my clients said they just think of the price in Euro as if it was in dollars and it doesn't hurt so much. The worst year was when Chirac wouldn't openly back Bush in Iraq. I had people that had booked, cancelling for that reason. American visitors dropped by 40% then. If you like touring with out being jostled there's plenty of space in Normandy and plenty to see. Mont st Michel (can be crowded) Bayeux tapestry, Caen chateaux and Abbeys, Falaise Chateau, Honfleur, Joan of Arcs burning spot at Rouen, Monets garden at Giverny, and of the main attraction for anglosaxons, the d-day beaches. There you need a guide of some sort or you are looking at concrete blocks. There are minibus tours, private guides or audioguides. The best base for the battlefield visits is Bayeux. cpmac SignatureAudio Tour Guide d day Normandy. Self Guiding. http://normandy-tour-guide.cpmac.com.audio-guide.php3 Driver guide Normandy >> >I have been wondering how is tourism in Europe, in terms of number of >> >tourists for this time of year, in light of the $$, Euro exchange rate. [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > And if they can afford to visit Stockholm, they can afford to go just > about anywhere. ------- Yes of course , if they can afford to go to Stockholm from China they can afford to go anywhere but what's the point ? With an average salary I can afford to go anywhere I like. Anyway just back from downtown Stockholm I can assure that the city is full of tourists. Made a visit to the tourist centre to buy some tickets and they had 7 windows open and still some queue, could hear at least a few Americans so they aren't missing totally. > > And if they can afford to visit Stockholm, they can afford to go just > > about anywhere. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > they had 7 windows open and still some queue, could hear at least a few > Americans so they aren't missing totally. Stockholm is one of the more expensive cities in Europe. >> > And if they can afford to visit Stockholm, they can afford to go just >> > about anywhere. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Stockholm is one of the more expensive cities in Europe. ---------- Still full of tourists at a record level. Your point is ? >> > And if they can afford to visit Stockholm, they can afford to go just >> > about anywhere. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Stockholm is one of the more expensive cities in Europe. Is it? IME the cost problem with Scandinavian cities is a complete absence of 'budget' options. But at the medium price level, in the summer when business hotel rooms are sold at a discount, they are no more expensive than any other city and a lot less than some. And by the time that you have paid 1000 euro for your return fare, an extra 30 euro per day on food/lodgings doesn't notice that much. tim > >> > And if they can afford to visit Stockholm, they can afford to go just > >> > about anywhere. [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > And by the time that you have paid 1000 euro for your return fare, an extra > 30 euro per day on food/lodgings doesn't notice that much. An extra 30 euro per day? That's dirt cheap. The etap in Marseille will cost us 30 euro each per day... Signature(*) of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate -www.davidhorne.net (email address on website) "If people think God is interesting, the onus is on them to show that there is anything there to talk about. Otherwise they should just shut up about it." -Richard Dawkins >> >> > And if they can afford to visit Stockholm, they can afford to go >> >> > just [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > An extra 30 euro per day? That's dirt cheap. The etap in Marseille will > cost us 30 euro each per day... I meant 30 Euro more than the cost of staying in a cheaper city. tim > >> >> > And if they can afford to visit Stockholm, they can afford to go > >> >> > just [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > > I meant 30 Euro more than the cost of staying in a cheaper city. Phew- I was wondering why prices in Sweden had plummeted... :) Signature(*) of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate -www.davidhorne.net (email address on website) "If people think God is interesting, the onus is on them to show that there is anything there to talk about. Otherwise they should just shut up about it." -Richard Dawkins "tim....." <tims_new_home@yahoo.co.uk> kirjoitti viestissä:6d7gtiF19d8qU1@mid.individual.net... >> Stockholm is one of the more expensive cities in Europe. > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > And by the time that you have paid 1000 euro for your return fare, an > extra 30 euro per day on food/lodgings doesn't notice that much. The Nordic countries were rather expensive during 1980's but since then prices have moderated down considerably (alright Norway is still in a category of her own). > Is it? IME the cost problem with Scandinavian cities is a complete absence > of 'budget' options. But at the medium price level, in the summer when [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > And by the time that you have paid 1000 euro for your return fare, an extra > 30 euro per day on food/lodgings doesn't notice that much. I did find a good hotel deal in Stockholm last week. Actually, I think they upgraded me. It's the cost of meals, transportation, price for various venues, etc. which seem higher than most European cities. Am Thu, 3 Jul 2008 13:11:10 -0600 schrieb singlemalt: > I have been wondering how is tourism in Europe, in terms of number of > tourists for this time of year, in light of the $$, Euro exchange rate. I > would expect that tourism, in general, has dropped dramatically. No, why should they? Maybe there are a few less american tourists, but other tourists from China or Russia make up for it, as they can afford now to travel Western-Europe. Most tourists in Europe are from Europe anyway :-) > Please give > me some of your thoughts. If it has, it might be good to bite the bullet and > travel while there are fewer (less?) people to be bothered with. It's definetly not fewer people. Just maybe people from other countries. Regards, Frank |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.