ADVISORY/Experts Available to Discuss Decrease in Americans Traveling to Europe.

Business Editors

ADVISORY...

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

TOPIC: The number of Americans who traveled to Europe has decreased significantly this year, according to an article by The Associated Press. For example, the Tourism Ministry claimed American tourists who stayed in hotels in France during the first five months of this year dropped 30 percent compared to the number of Americans who visited the same time last year. Experts say Americans are not traveling to Europe due to the weak dollar, ongoing threat of terrorism and political strain resulting from the United States' decision to go to war with Iraq.

EXPERTS: ExpertSource can offer several highly qualified experts to comment on this story:

Karen Herbst, owner of The International Kitchen, offers the premier cooking school vacations to Italy and France since 1994. After a career as research editor at Playboy Magazine and producer/director at CBS Radio, Herbst entered into the travel business, where she eventually combined her organizational skills and travel experience with her passion for cooking to create this unique company. She travels to Europe 6-8 times annually to personally visit locations, hand pick chefs, and select accommodations. She has been a featured speaker at trade and professional organizations, such as ICTA and TAPS. The company has been featured in Newsweek, USA Today, Vogue, Bon Appetit, Gourmet, Saveur, New York Times, LA Times, Chicago Tribune and countless other publications and newspapers. She has been a member of ASTA, IACP, and is currently a Board Member and Press Secretary of the Italian Travel Promotional Council, a not-for-profit trade to promote travel to Italy. She has participated as a sponsor for the Travel Agent Certification Program with the French Government Tourist Office. Her vast knowledge of Italy and France is enhanced by her extensive travels throughout the countries for the past 21 years. She has created incredibly loyal and lasting relationships with her counterparts abroad, and is able to produce any kind of itinerary a traveler/cook could desire. Herbst says despite the downturn of the economy and the threat of terrorism, travelers continue to book vacations that have a "theme" or a focus, such as culinary travel. These clients tend to be more sophisticated travelers, and do not seem to be as easily deterred as, perhaps, a first time traveler to Europe, who will wait for more optimum conditions. Even travel to France has not suffered as much among the specialty travels trips, although the numbers are certainly down for this year. 312-726-4525 [e-mail]

Amy Bohutinsky, of Hotwire.com, is well versed in communicating travel expertise with numerous television broadcast and radio stations. In the past, Bohutinsky has provided several stations in major markets, such as San Francisco, Chicago, and TechTV, with travel tips and trends for consumers. Her travel advice has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Reuters and CNET News.com. After decades of personal travel and most importantly, now with a Hotwire career providing travel industry insight, Bohutinsky can offer consumers in your area tips on how to save, when to book and how to navigate the hectic holiday travel season. PR Contact: Monica Ma 415-318-4125 [e-mail]

Richard Walsh is a travel analyst with Travel Marketing Dynamics. He is an expert regarding travel and hospitality global strategic planning. 770-533-9787 [e-mail]

ExpertSource cannot guarantee the immediate availability of these experts or their familiarity with this specific issue.

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