Americans avoid France in droves, Parisians can't believe it

Telegraph ^ | 08/01/03 | jmcclain19

[jmcclain19]

American Tourists are announcing their displeasure to the French attitude towards the US in a different way this summer, with their pocketbooks.

The Telegraph, a British news agency, is reporting that American visits this tourist season are down 50 percent from last year, while British visits are down 10 percent.

This has to just chap the hide of the angriest of the anti-war crowd. As the US contributes billions to the French economy each year. And those aren't spent just by the strongest supporters of the Iraqi War. Perhaps this is also why in a recent NBC/Wall Street Journal Poll 66 percent of Americans said they were happy with what the President is doing w/ Iraq and the War on Terror.

I also wrote more about this here

[McGavin999]

I'm sure they're all convinced that it'll go away soon. Of course, they may change their minds when next year it's down by 80%.

[FreedomSurge]

"Convinced that the peace of the brave begins at the table, the French never really believed the Americans would fall out of love with them," it said.

Does anyone know what this means? Anyone?

[gitmo]

Non.

[Dog Gone]

It means that French editorial writers are drunk when they're at work.

[LeftiesBinWhinin]

I was never IN love with ze Fronch.

Les gens français peuvent embrasser mon âne!

[Southack]

Most of France's win sales are in the form of futures contracts, too.

So the impact of their decline won't start to really, really be felt over there until next year.

And their unemployment rate is already high. Their national budget deficit is already breaking their system.

Yet even with all of that, it is the 71% of the French economy that is their **service** sector that is getting directly creamed right now.

But hey, don't expect me to have any sympathy for the French until Le Pen takes over and prosecutes Chirac for unilaterally abandoning the world's moratorium on nuclear testing in the 1980's, as well as killing that little GreenPeace weenie by blowing up his Rainbow Warrior ship before it could protest France's nuclear tests.

[Dog Gone]

The French Riviera has not been spared either. Rentals of luxury yachts along the coast are down by half. Not a single boat has been hired by an American in Cannes or Monaco, according to one yacht company. "We can expect a lot of firms to go under," said one owner.

Nice going, Americans!

[angkor]

Don't we usually post the story in addition to our own commentary? As well as the original headline for searches and reference? Oh well.

Disaster for tourism as US visitors shun Paris
By Henry Samuel in Paris
(Filed: 01/08/2003)

Millions of foreign tourists are shunning France this summer, costing the country billions of pounds and threatening its position as the world's favourite destination.

Travel agents say there is widespread evidence that the tourist industry is suffering as a result of President Jacques Chirac's vehement stand against the war in Iraq. The strong euro has added to the crisis.

According to the president of France's travel agents' union, Cesar Balderacchi, bookings from the United States in the past six months were 50 per cent down on last year, with no sign of improvement as the tourist season reaches its peak. British visitor numbers have fallen by around 10 per cent.

Tourism is of enormous importance to France. Last year, 77 million visitors arrived, lured by France's gastronomy, wealth of history and topographical variety, bringing in £24 billion. American tourists alone accounted for £4.2 billion.

"After the Iraq crisis, many American tour operators just airbrushed France out of their brochures. Instead of offering a tour including Britain, France and Italy, say, we are now replaced by Spain," said M Balderacchi.

A brief tour of the centre of Paris yesterday confirmed his fears, with not a busload of camera-wielding Americans or Japanese to be seen.

On a clear, sunny day, the bateaux mouches that ply the Seine were all but empty. Three or four heads stared balefully from an red open-top sightseeing bus.

"Thanks very much, Tony Blair and friends," said the bus conductor.

"Where have all the Americans gone?" asked a gloomy waiter in a cafe next to Notre Dame. "Usually two waiters are hard pushed to cope during the summer months, but this year it's just me - not enough custom."

Iraq is one factor. But Serge Thellier, who has had a souvenir stand on the Ile de la Cite for 43 years, blamed the dollar. "The Americans were like flies round honey in the 1980s when there were 10 francs to the dollar," he said. "Give me two euros to the dollar and they'll be back, bin Laden or no bin Laden."

According to figures published yesterday by the hotel industry association, hotel bookings were down by a quarter throughout France for July, with the luxury sector the worst hit.

Its president, Andre Daguin blamed Iraq, Sars, oil-sullied beaches from the tanker Prestige, strikes which led to the cancellation of many summer festivals and the recent forest fires. "We have been spared nothing," he said.

Not only Paris is suffering. Tourist visits are down by a third on the coast in Aquitaine and inland in the Dordogne and Lot-et-Garonne.

The French Riviera has not been spared either. Rentals of luxury yachts along the coast are down by half. Not a single boat has been hired by an American in Cannes or Monaco, according to one yacht company. "We can expect a lot of firms to go under," said one owner.

In an editorial this week the newspaper Libération said the strength of anti-French sentiment across the Atlantic had been underestimated. "Convinced that the peace of the brave begins at the table, the French never really believed the Americans would fall out of love with them," it said.

To add to the tourist trade's woes, even the French are staying at home. According to a report published yesterday by the national tourist board, only half are taking breaks this summer and for shorter periods. Until recently, virtually the whole of France was on holiday in August.

[Cobra64]

"We can expect a lot of firms to go under," said one owner.

God, I hope so. I worked with these a$$holes on a project in Antwerpen Belgium. Even the rest of the Euros hate the French... Arrogant bastards. They smell, and the women need to shave.

[vbmoneyspender]

To add to the tourist trade's woes, even the French are staying at home.

I guess even the French can't stand the French.

[Conservababe]

The French must learn that actions do have consequences.

[southernnorthcarolina]

So Americans are leaving fewer of their dollars in France?

Well, c'est la f***ing vie.

Perhaps some day it will dawn on those sneering, garlic-and-cigarette-reeking, snail-eating frogs that actions have consequences.

[quidnunc]

Iraq is one factor. But Serge Thellier, who has had a souvenir stand on the Ile de la Cite for 43 years, blamed the dollar. "The Americans were like flies round honey in the 1980s when there were 10 francs to the dollar," he said. "Give me two euros to the dollar and they'll be back, bin Laden or no bin Laden."

The French tourism industry is making some real bargains available to Americans, but apparently they're still not getting many takers.

[southernnorthcarolina]

The French must learn that actions do have consequences.

As they say, great minds think alike. See my comment, posted seconds after yours.

[spoiler2]

"the peace of the brave begins at the table,"

It think it refers to the ability to take abuse from someone, despite being addicted to their cooking. It happens in families sometimes, but we are not family.

Chirac must have MISUNDERESTIMATED how much damage he was actually doing, and no amount of playing Pepe Le Peu is going to change our America's position.

[LeftiesBinWhinin]

Long live the power of the pocketbook!

[demlosers]

Ahhh...a tourist boycott of France brings out a smile. :)

[joesnuffy]

wait till they hit the skids
then they will all be coming here as refugees

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

My wife and I share a bottle of wine at dinner virtually every night. I usually go to the wine store three or four times a year and stock up, buying about eight cases at a time. My latest visits have seen me go from about 40% French wines to zero.
There are plenty of excellent choices among American brands, in addition to those of Spain, Chile, Australia, and Italy. When I leave the store, I feel like I just hung out the flag on July Fourth.

[Tacis]

At the same time, however, the French seem to be back to their old tricks of having a major labor strike du jour. The vicious communist union think nothing of destroying regions and events by going on strike believing that tourists, especially, American tourists think that things can turn on and off like water from a tap.

Most of France shuts down for August anyway, why go in a month when the weather is nice if you think the communists are going to prevent you from doing what you wanted to have fun at?

[The Great RJ]

I shedding sad tears into my glass of fine Australian wine and excellent domestic brie.

[jocon307]

"It means that French editorial writers are drunk when they're at work."

mais oui!

[schaketo]

“bin Laden or no bin Laden”

been hidin’ doesn’t have anything to do with it. The light was shined on these cockroaches for what they REALY are and we’re not buying. Try the Grand Canyon this year. It’s unbelievable.

[schaketo]

wait till they hit the skids … then they will all be coming here as refugees

OK everyone, time to check your ammo boxes. Lock and load.

[Ukiapah Heep]

If they don't want to come, you can't stop them!

[Cobra64]

Australian Black Swan is our favorite. Especially their Merlot. Really smooth. We've converted almost all our friends.

[friendly]

I am going to France next week, sort of. I am going on a religious pilgrimage to Lourdes, but am flying to Madrid (an ally) and driving north. Will spend 95% of my time in the Spanish Pyrannees Mountains hiking in National Parks, crossing the French border one day only and then go only a few miles into Lourdes, then back to Spain.

[bert]

The molds in Roquefrt cheese are linked to the clap.

Eat good American Blue Cheese.

[breakem]

Just to let folks know we are not alone. The LKA Crimes ran a story today about the sand put along the Seine so that folks could pretend they're at the beach. This seems to be popular in Paris. This is the third story in the Times in two weeks about what great times they're having in France (despite the boycott).

[bert]

Well, c'est la f***ing vie. ....

Well said for a Blue Zone Refugee.

Go Pack.

[e_engineer]

Speaking of American destinations, the outer banks of North Carolina seem to be heavily booked this year. Many of us are vacationing at home this year.

[Alissa]

Long live the power of the pocketbook!

That's the truth! Praise Capitolism!

[mtbopfuyn]

Its president, Andre Daguin blamed Iraq, Sars, oil-sullied beaches from the tanker Prestige, strikes which led to the cancellation of many summer festivals and the recent forest fires. "We have been spared nothing," he said.

Nice to know God's on own side. Next He'll be sending in the locusts.

In the grocery store today while standing at the yogurt section, I announced in a none too quiet voice that I wasn't about to buy Yoplait because it was French. Announced the same ny the Heinz ketchup because of Kerry.

[breakem]

Tried to be cute with LA Times and added too many letters.

We went to Paris two years ago and had a great time. Must publically admit we have friends in the Alsace region and they gave us the royal tour.

We took a boat/bus down the river and got off at the various stops. The river seemed okay, similar to the american in Sacramento which comes out of the mountains. Were surprised that the canals in Venice gave off no particular odor.

[MightyMouseToSaveThe Day]

And let's not forget the Italian wines! Gimme a glass of sangiovese any day. mmmmmm

I used to go to Europe 2-3x/yr for pleasure and always included France in my travel plans. Not anymore. Our next trip to Europe will be to Italy alone.

[philetus]

I have no interest in visiting a muslim country.

[Mark17]

If they don't want to come, you can't stop them!

That sounds like a Yogi phrase. When you come to a fork in the road, take it.

[southernnorthcarolina]

Well said for a Blue Zone Refugee.

Go Pack.

I have close ties to all of the Big Four. Among my immediate family (parents, siblings, their spouses, and their children) the alum/current student count is 7 Tar Heels, 5 Wolfpackers, 2 Deacons, and 1 Blue Devil.

We like to spread our ignorance around.

[sarasmom]

I am glad to hear I am not the only one!
But it is obvious that we are not alone, as shelf space for Yoplait and Dannon is way down in the dairy isle at my grocery store.Breyers is now the dominant brand.

[Extremist]

I switched deodorant when I realized Degree is made by Lever.

French made deodorant!! Ain't that a hoot!!

[gatorgriz]

I haven't read all of the posts but I've got an a FREEPING idea... Lets all go to the "Official Tourism Office for France" and order every travel packet we can get; They typically cost about $5.00 a pop... We know we're not going, they don't... FREEP 'EM

http://us.franceguide.com/index.asp

[maxwellp]

Friends of ours, a married couple who love to travel to Europe, said the other day that they were reluctant to travel now and in particular because of the deaths of Saddam's evil sons. They are afraid of anti-Americanism. So my husband said "Why would you spend your money to go any place where you are not wanted because you are American"? The husband, like my husband, who came out of Castro's Cuba, said he'd like to see cowboy country in America, particularly Crawford, Texas and the hell with Europe. So we're all contemplating a trip out West to see American cowboy country. The two ex-Cubans, now American husbands are thrilled beyond belief! So am I. I used to understand the lure of Europe, been there myself, but these days the lure of America and spending my American dollars in America greatly appeals to me. After all, America is the greatest country the world has ever seen, in more ways than one.

[Mark Turbo]

the outer banks of North Carolina seem to be heavily booked this year.

I've done some fishing at Nags Head and Ocracoke. If nothing else, go to see the Wright brothers memorial.

[maxwellp]

The French really do not understand Americans. They do not understand "Don't tread on me".

[Petronski]

France would be perfect if it weren't for the French.

[Petronski]

But Serge Thellier...blamed the dollar...."Give me two euros to the dollar and they'll be back, bin Laden or no bin Laden."

Bite me, Surge.

[McGavin999]

The husband, like my husband, who came out of Castro's Cuba, said he'd like to see cowboy country in America, particularly Crawford, Texas and the hell with Europe. So we're all contemplating a trip out West to see American cowboy country.

Great! And next year you can come to Arizona and see the Grand Canyon (magnificent by anybody's book) and the home of Zane Grey, and Tombstone AZ (where the shootout at the OK Corral took place). This whole country is so full of wonderful things to see that you could spend a lifetime of vacations and never see it all.

[mickie]

I just have one thing to say......"Let them eat cake!"