A question for the Americans.

I am wondering why? and I have different theories but I would like first hand opinions:

In 2001 American tourism dropped by 21% in Spain. If in 1997 The US was the fourth nationality visiting Madrid, currently is the sixth. I wonder why?

Regards,
Andrés

Suggestion/Reason: September 11, 2001

I'd guess "American" tourism dropped about the same amount to all places in the world, Andrés. The last 3.5 months of last year (mid-September through December), or 29% of the year, when few "Americans" would get on an airplane would likely account for the sudden drop in tourism to Spain.

I would agree with MadridMan's assessment...but I did hear just the other day that air travel is projected to pick up again throughout this year (even surpassing pre-September levels), and I would imagine that we Americans might make it back up to 4th or 5th place in the list of visitors!

andres,-i am a high school spanish teacher and each year i bring groups of students to spain. just before 9/11 i had 87 students registered for this summer's trip(june) -after 9/11 the number dropped to 70 ..i guess parents fear the worst. for myself i think Europe is safer than the states

Yes, yes of course the 11-s have made things worse but it is not the single cause of it. I mean, before the 11-s American tourism to Spain had already dropped by a 14% percent compared with year 2000. Some people may say it is because of the economic crisis but Germany is also going under a crisis and the fall in this case is only by a 2,2%. Nevertheless the other Madrid visitors (in order of importance) Frenchies, Italians, Germans and British are still coming. Will I end up learning French?

Andrés

Andres,

Let's look at all factors involved. September 11 was not the only factor. Americans, in general, were also tired of high ticket prices, long lines and not being fed adequately on flights. To say that September 11 was the only reason is absurd. Many more factors were involved, and I am not afraid to say it.

I will get back on an airplane and I realize that when it is my time to go, it's my time to go and I can't do anything about it.

Shawn

Shawn, there certainly were other factors at work, including our slumping economy, but it seems to me airline ticket prices have been relatively stable for a number of years now (I paid the same amount for flights to Spain in 1995 and 2001, for example). Airline service is abysmal, of course, so that may play into it.

A lot of people I know decided to stay a bit closer to home after 9/11...taking road trips, for example, instead of airline trips--or traveling by air within the U.S. to see family rather than skipping off to Europe. Fear of flying may keep some people from traveling by air entirely (I HATE TO FLY, but will if there's no better way to get there!), but probably not many.

Andres-

Just another thought as to why the others (Italians, French, Germans, British...) are still coming: they're closer to Spain. As has been said before, many Americans are still a little anxious about travelling abroad or on airlines at all. If we were closer to Spain like the other Europeans, we could take a train, drive, or a shorter airline flight, and maybe our numbers would not have dropped so much.

I heard on the news the other day that domestic tourism is increasing, and when I called a near-by hotel to make reservations for this summer, their rate was $100 more than we paid last year!! SO maybe I'll take advantage of this and head to Spain this year instead of Cape Cod afterall!!

I visited Spain last year before 9/11. When I discussed our plans with friends and others, they reacted very surprised. Spain! I believe most Americans do not think Spain of a one of the most notable European countries. Also, they were surprised we would spend the entire 17 days in one country.

I believe Americans are sold by travel agents and advertising to visit other European countries, and they are sold to visit more than one county. Many of our friends were surprised we made our own plans without using a travel agent or an accompanied tour.
Also, I believe more Americans are losing the value of history and culture, and desire more surroundings, which are familiar. Could this be a reason for Starbucks, and TGIF Friday’s development in many tourist areas? I was shocked when visiting the Capella Real; my stepdaughter did not know Ferdinand and Isabella were the King and Queen of Spain who supported Columbus voyage!

After 9/11, I am afraid more Americans will not travel to other countries because many feel we maybe unwelcome.

I would tend to think it has to do with trends and economics. People tend to listen and seek advice from other people regarding traveling so if spain is the "HOT" spot then logically more people travel to spain. Unfortunately, the trend changes and flucuations occur. I strongly disagree it has anything to do with Americans losing their value of culture. People just like changes. But it is baffling??? I mean, I'm confused as well why anyone would not want to vacation in Madrid.

Andres writes: I would guess that the figures may be skewed because so many people find cheaper flights to some other EU destination where they are counted as U.S. tourists and then travel overland or by low-cost European Air carriers to Spain. When we deplane in Madrid or somewhere else in Spain, are we counted as tourists from the place of Origin of the flight now that Passport Control/Immigration is pretty much eliminated for intra EU travel?

I visited Spain twice in 2001. I didn't stay in Madrid either time: In June, I arrived from London (on Easyjet) - maybe I wasn't counted as an American tourist because I didn't have to go thru Passport Control. I might have been counted as a tourist from the U.K. These complicating factors, for me, cast suspicion on the numbers (percentages) you cite. In July, I passed thru Madrid on a night train Barcelona-Sevilla on my way to Huelva and I departed Spain for Portugal, not to return directly to the U.S. I stayed with a family in Santander, a relative in Barcelona and more relatives in Mazagon (Huelva). So no hotel reported me as an American tourist having stayed there this trip.

I very rarely talk to the people at the Tourist bureaus or fill out their questionnaires.

Given that Spain has become increasingly popular with European tourists, so their numbers (especially those from what was formerly Eastern Europe) will have risen considerably; but I think your U.S. Tourist counts may not be correct for the reasons given in my opening paragraph.

This has turned out to be a very interesting thread indeed. I am very glad to read these responses. Spain really isn't a very popular tourist attraction with the US. Many Americans still tend to go to Paris, London, or even Germany.

Spain is a very beautiful country, but even on the travel shows, it is often overlooked for other countries in Europe.

I am headed back this June and am looking forward to it.

There are many reasons why Americans won't fly and some of the reasons given here are just the tip of the iceberg.

Shawn

I would say it is a result of two factors:

1. economic recession: as pointed out, Spain is exepnsive to get to from the US. Even if Germans are in a slump, they can still get to Spain easily and fairly cheaply. For Americans, it is a much bigger investment, one that people will not make if times are tough. Americans will tend to stay in the US. Also, flights to Spain are generally much more expensive than to, say, London or Amsterdam.

2. September 11. While this hit after the main summer tourism season, it had a huge impact on both tourism and business travel. I'm assuming that the figures would include business travel. Speaking from my own company's experience, the combination of the recession and September 11th has cut business travel dramatically.

I'm actually surprises that the US even ranked that high in terms of visitors in 2000. As has been pointed out, Spain is not widely considered as a major tourism destination in the US. I think many people still think of Spain as being primarily a beach resort (so do a lot of Europeans, for that matter), and we have our own cheaper beach resorts here. Also, many Americans have always been a little wary of traveling abroad, and many will do so only through packaged tours. Since these tend to focus on other parts of Europe, they don't get exposed to Spain. Also, a large factor in American toursim to Europe is the desire to see the old country from which ancestors immigrated. As America had proportionally few immigrants from Spain, this is not a huge factor.

I find that September 11th isn't as much of factor in travel plans anymore (at least with the people I have spoken to). I think basically it comes down to money. Spain is not viewed by most American tourists as the dirt cheap bargain it once was. Additionally, airfare to Madrid or Barcelona is pretty high compared to a lot of other European destinations and it is difficult to get a direct flight if you don't live on the east coast or in Miami or Chicago. Coming from Houston I have had to change planes 2-3 times to get to Madrid. Barcelona is a little easier. I also find that a lot of Americans are skipping Europe altogether and that Mexico, Central and South America and Asia are becoming more popular with tourists.

Good pints here. I live in Richmond, VA and a direct flight to Madrid or any other European destination is out of the question. The airport in Richmond, VA is very expensive and many try to leave out of Washington, DC or even Charlotte, NC.

The US economy does play a major role in travel. Many people are loosing jobs left and right. Many are fearful that they will loose their job and are saving for what's coming ahead.

Tourism to other countries will pick up eventually and mostly the south of Spain is popular, but not Madrid too much.

We will have to wait to see what happens with tourism.

Shawn

Andres - I think the dismal US economy has a great deal to do with the resulting lack of tourism. The recssion that our government is loathe to term recession has impacted the economy for close to two years. The US currently has the highest unemployment rate in something like 15+ years. September - November 2001 - then I think 9/11 had a huge impact as well; but now - plain old lousy economy.

Its cheaper for people to travel within the contigious states and as a result, mainland visitor destinations are showing huge increases this year vs. the last few years.

The plus, from a very selfish point of view - its less crowded when I come to Spain.

PS - the unemployment figures I quoted were from CNN a few days ago -