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Show 4 The Salt Lake Tribune, T3 Sunday. May 5, 1965 Europe is bracing for influx of Americans by Alfred Borcover Chicago Tribune Writer CHICAGO Europe is girding for another invasion. Some 6 million Americans are expected to green the Continent this year as the U.S. dollar continues to flex its muscle. We broke all the records last year, with 5.6 million visitors, said Raeymaekers, vice chairman of the European Travel Commission (ETC) and director of the Belgium National Tourist Office. All the indications are there for us to reach the 6 million mark this year. The bookings are up for all the tour operators, and many have added capacity to meet the demand. Raeymaekers said ETC countries have averaged a 0 percent increase over the last two years. But some have had big increases in 1983, some in 1984, she added. England ranked as the No. 1 market in numbers of tourists; France was No. 2. Vying for No. 3 were Germany and Italy, followed by Spain. In addition to the bullish dollar, the ETC asserted that in real terms, c air fares are cheaper than they were 20 years ago, additionally making travel to the 23 member nations attractive. Robert J. Haraldsen, Sabena Belgium World Airlines Midwest district sales manager, who accompa Fre-deriq- 40-5- trans-Atlanti- nied Raeymaekers on the interview, said North Atlantic air fares for the peak summer season will be about 5 percent higher than last. ETC members are Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Swe- A room in a four-sttel with breakfast for ar Cyprus hoa person, 328 double. A pass to the Nice Jazz for about 312. Festival in mid-JulA trip along Turkeys Aegean and Mediterranean coasts for 325 and up or a ferry ride on the Bosporus for 25 cents. Shopping, abandoned by many tourists during the 1970s when prices were high, has caused many travelers to exceed their budgets. Wno can resist a bargain? Yes, Raeymaekers admitted, "but they are happy with what they bought because when they come back and compare prices in the stores here, it is often double. There are some successful tours now built around shopping. At the end of the year, there were more Americans than English people in Harrods. Friends who recently returned from Great Britain and Ireland told of outstanding buys. In Londons Harrods, one couple found their crystal pattern on sale. They paid 36.50 for a goblet that cost 340 in Chicago. A Laura Ashley nightgown sold for 322 at Harrods, 360 in Water Tower Place. Another friend bought an Irish Kerry glass bowl for 36 that cost 335 here and a red mohair scarf in Dublin for 310. An identical scarf here was 10-d- ay y den, Switzerland, Turkey and Yugoslavia. Americans feel very rich when they are in Europe, Raeymaekers said. They can afford almost anything. The most de luxe hotel in Brussels, including breakfast and service, is about 380. Two years ago the price was about about 3140. But thats true for every country, she added. The rates are really fantastic. In Belgium, you can have a very good meal, not a gourmet meal, with a glass of wine for 37 service included, from a tourist menu. Its amazing." Other examples of ETC bargains: A hotel room in the Luxembourg countryside for 322 a night for a double with shower. Finncheque hotel coupons good for accommodations and a full Scandinavian breakfast for about 320 a night. 322.50. of Music, with more than a thousand special events encompassing the classics, folk, jazz and rock. Coinciding with the theme are the 300th birthday anniversaries of Bach, Handel and Scarlatti. With the exception of expense account cities such as Brussels and Geneva and the top hotels, most of Eu- While these bargains appeal to the Americans, what does it mean for the European? Its not quite as difficult as you think, Raeymaekers explained. All the European currencies are more or less stable. The German mark is a stronger currency than the Italian lira, but it is not the incredible difference that has developed between the dollar and the European currencies over the last three years. As an example, the Belgium franc four years ago was 26 francs to the dollar. And now it is about 63 francs to the dollar. So thats much more than double. Within the country it hasnt changed anything for Belgium. Inflation is not what it used to be. Its not as good as in the United States, but it is under 10 percent; so the prices have not gone up that much. And, moreover, since local economies are not booming, prices have been kept down. Otherwise, the local purchasing power would be completely gone. The country cannot afford that. It still needs the buying power of the local population. It cannot depend upon Americans. ropes Year vis-a-v- ropes cities lean toward the reasonable, especially on weekends. Most of the top hotels have weekend rates, Raeymaekers said. Brussels is a city that has a lot of business during the week, but many visiting officials live in nearby countries, they go home for the weekend. Thus, many hotels offer 50 pecent discounts on weekends, she explained. A whole new generation of travelers are becoming Europe buffs, just as in the 1960s, Raeymaekers said. All those kids came over and stayed for two months. They had an urge to return with their wives or husbands to share the experience. During the 1970s it was too expensive to do that, but now they are going back. That prospect bodes well for Europe and excites Raeymaekers and the ETC. We also have a lot of new people who are trying Europe for the first time because it is affordable. Once Also making Europe attractive are the cultural, historic and heritage events in the various counties. The ETCs major theme this year is Eu they are hooked on Europe, they are going to come back even if a year or two or three from now the dollar is the Eudeclining a little bit ropean currencies, she said. Her tips for these new travelers to Europe are simple: The tour is not a bad idea for a first-tim- e visitor, she said. Everything is taken care of. The visitor has no financial surprises. It gives him an opportunity to get a little bit of a background because the tour guides and they usually are provide bit of history and cultural background along the way. It gives the first-tim- e visitor an opportunity to make up his own mind what he likes best, the north or the south, the track big cities or the places. He will be prepared for his next trip. If you really cannot stand the idea of a tour and want to travel by train or auto or bicycle, theres only one piece of incredibly important advice: Do your homework before you leave. Get all the brochures, do some comparative shopping on rates. You have to read the literature to see what you want and to ask questions. You can get this information from tourist offices, guidebooks, national carriers and travel agents. well-traine- RIO DE JANEIRO iM)DtO?OS TTIMVKIL from LA. 749 Not Charter JENSEN BARON TRAVEL A Salt Lke Provo 463-188- 8 756-568- 3 jj naxji Mountain Wist Toons GMIB Presents RAINBOW BRIDGE CANYONLANDS May 1985 per perton Dbl. Occ. 20-2- 103 SUPER SALE HOTELPACKAG anznKHD NORTHWEST CANADIAN ROCKIES June 8, 1985 J33 y MWmt (me Per Person Dbl. Occ. Departs eve ((eeeetteeeeee BLACK HILLS (te Round JripirfareTfrom TWOjSLAND SPECIA PASSION PLAY 1985 Aug. Per Person Dbl.Occ. 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Youll visit the remains of their cabin hide-ou- t, Robbers Roost Canyon, Dirty Devil River and Angel Cove Spring as you hike along the famous Angel Trail. Includes: Meals, transportalon, guides. Group rates available. Price subject to change. 487-973come true. Saturday departures from Los Angeles. Price subject to change. 1. Virginia. and Bus includes 2 nights in Boston, plus visit to birth place of the Prophet Joseph Smith in VeAir rmont. SPECIAL CANADIAN ROCKIES and TEMPLE TOUR Aug. 11-2- 4 FALL FOLIAGE TOUR Sept. SPECIAL 23-0c- 9 t. and UNIQUE HAWAIIAN CRUISE TOUR TOURS For Free Brochure Phono ot Write FUN TIME TOURS Wilbur Webb 278-310- 1 SE32TB0niE DAY 00GH2B &3SS Deluxe include Transportation, Fr?t Class Accommodations, Ejtceilent Escorts. Pay tor all admissions and sightseeing and help with luggage and several meals ALL Qjnrrk rcira or 486-014- 1 2380 Evtrjrttn Avi . 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