One indication more Americans are looking to make international trips: The State Department shipped nearly 13% more passports from October to February than the same period the year before.
“This is going to be a banner year. Demand is growing exponentially,” said Steve Loucks of Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Carlson’s member agencies said international bookings are as strong or even stronger than they were before 9-11.
Even the March bombings in Madrid did not affect US travel. Orbitz, for example, says there’s no decline of European bookings.
The surge in bookings may reflect American pent-up demand and growing acceptance of an uncertain world, according to Amy Ziff, editor at large for Travelocity.
Where are Americans going? London, Cancun, Mexico; Rome, Paris and Vancouver, said Ziff in the Los Angeles Times.
Carlson Wagonlit travel agents identified Caribbean cruising, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica as top destinations. London is also popular, agents said.
Report by David Wilkening
