Favorable Exchange Rates Will Increase Travel to Eastern Europe This Summer, Says AAA.Bookings to Some Countries Are up More Than 100 Percent over Last Summer WASHINGTON -- Summer vacation Summer vacation (also called summer holidays or summer break) is a vacation in the summertime between school years in which students are off for 3 months, depending on the country and district. bookings to Eastern Europe Eastern Europe The countries of eastern Europe, especially those that were allied with the USSR in the Warsaw Pact, which was established in 1955 and dissolved in 1991. are skyrocketing, says AAA AAA: see American Automobile Association. (Triple A) A common single-cell battery used in a myriad of electronic devices of all variety. Like its double A (AA) cousin, it provides 1.5 volts of DC power. When used in series, the voltage is multiplied. , North America's largest full-service leisure travel agency. AAA travel professionals attribute the increased interest in Eastern European countries to favorable fa·vor·a·ble adj. 1. Advantageous; helpful: favorable winds. 2. Encouraging; propitious: a favorable diagnosis. 3. exchange rates, less crowding, and the desire for new experiences. Based on travel taking place June to August of this year, tour bookings to Europe in general are down slightly by 2.4 percent compared to last summer, while travel to Eastern Europe is up by 55 percent. Travel to Croatia is up by 69 percent, Slovenia is up by 100 percent, Poland is up 10 percent, Hungary is up 76 percent and bookings to Romania are up an incredible 700 percent. The data is based on AAA travel agency bookings through May 1, 2007. In comparison, Italy and Germany are down .7 percent and 43 percent respectively. Travel to the UK is down 1.9 percent and Ireland is down 10.4 percent. However, travel to France is up 40 percent this summer. "Americans love Western Europe Western Europe The countries of western Europe, especially those that are allied with the United States and Canada in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (established 1949 and usually known as NATO). , and the UK, France and Italy continue to be top destinations," say Sandy Hughes, vice president of AAA Travel. "But many are choosing to visit countries where the dollar stretches further and the crowds are lighter. "Places like Poland, Croatia and Hungary appeal to repeat visitors who have already cut their teeth on the classic icons of Western Europe," adds Hughes. "These travelers are looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. wider adventures on the continent and bragging rights as the first among their friends to visit places like Warsaw and Budapest." Increased air service to Eastern Europe, positive media coverage of that part of the world and increased tourism promotion have also increased interest in Eastern European travel. With some 1,100 travel agencies and $3.9 billion in sales, AAA travel offers the International Driving Permit and assistance expediting passport applications. AAA also offers maps and travel guides including Europe road atlases A road atlas is a map or set of maps that primarily display roads and transport links rather than geographical information. Types Road Atlases come in many shapes, sizes and scales. , Essential Guides to several European cities and the AAA Europe TravelBook(TM) guide. For travelers looking to save money before they go, AAA offices are the leading seller of Traveler's Cheques (which are discounted for AAA members), while Visa Travel Money Cards and AAA Visa credit cards help travelers save money when using credit and debit cards debit card, card that allows the cost of goods or services that are purchased to be deducted directly from the purchaser's checking account. They can also be used at automated teller machines for withdrawing cash from the user's checking account. in Europe. In addition, there are more than 29,000 locations in Europe where travelers can save with their AAA membership card. As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 50 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, AAA, a not-for-profit corporation A not-for-profit corporation is a corporation created by statute, government or judicial authority that is not intended to provide a profit to the owners or members. A corporation that is organized to provide profits to its owners or members is a for-profit corporation. and the oldest and largest federation of motor clubs in the country, has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA news releases can be downloaded from www.AAA.com/news. |
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