Americans planning to travel to Europe this summer will face a “triple whammy,” according to Tom Parsons, who operates the travel Web site Bestfares. com.
Quoted last week in an article by The Associated Press, Mr. Parsons said travelers to Europe will face higher fuel surcharges, higher air fares and the high cost of the euro.
Mary Rhodes, president of Tennessee Valley Travel on South Broad Street, said she has booked 15 percent fewer trips to Europe this year than last year, but Chattanoogans are still traveling overseas.
“Frankly, I’m amazed at the number of people that are going,” she said. “It’s horrendous over there.”
On March 21, $1.54 would buy one euro, meaning 100 euro would cost $154.
“It’s killing us,” said Dr. Michael Laney, the chair of the communications and arts department at Lee University. He oversees student travel opportunities abroad in the department and said he’s had to cancel at least one planned trip in part because of the strong euro.
He said the school is looking at perhaps moving away from Europe and towards Latin America for future trips.
“We may have to expand our horizons,” he said.
Ms. Rhodes specializes in foreign travel. She said 90 percent of her bookings are for destinations in Europe or Great Britain, and most trips are booked about six months ahead of departure.
She said many of her independent travel clients (those not on a tour or cruise) are paying the remainder of their fees now rather than waiting, as they normally would.
“The hotel price won’t change in euros or pounds, but if there is a change in the conversion rate, the client pays the difference,” she said.
Ms. Rhodes said one way to still travel to Europe without breaking the bank is through cruises.
“Most of your large expenses are paid up front,” she said. “All you have to worry about is some spending money. Food and accommodations are paid for.”
There is some good news for Americans planning to travel to Europe, according to a New York Times article. Beginning today, the so-called Open-Skies Agreement goes into effect, meaning airlines flying between the United States and Europe can fly direct to any airport in each region.
Analysts predict the agreement will open the market and should mean lower air fares, according to the article.
Barry Courter is associate features editor, entertainment editor and books editor for the Times Free Press. He started his journalism career at the Chattanooga News-Free Press in 1987. He covers primarily entertainment and events for fyiWeekend and edits the Sunday books page. Born in Lafayette, Ind., Barry has lived in Chattanooga since 1968. He graduated from Notre Dame High School and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a degree in broadcast journalism. He previously ...
