Americans shun international travel

MIAMI (AFP) Apr 10, 2003
The war in Iraq and slow economic growth are discouraging people across the United States from traveling abroad, and domestic US trips could reach new highs, a poll out this week found.

Six of 10 people surveyed said they were not interested in heading abroad now, with 31 percent citing the war and economic situation specifically, the Travel Industry Association of America poll said.

But eight out of 10 said they would travel domestically in the coming months.

"We'll probably set two new records this year. The number of Americans traveling overseas may be at historic lows. And the number of Americans choosing to take a driving vacation within the US may approach all-time highs," said association president William Norman.

SPACE.WIRE