Why Americans Don't Travel Internationally

Cost really is an issue for a lot of people. Unless you're talking cheap Cancun package tour or equivalent, the perception is that your money will go further if you stay in the 48.

People who don't travel really miss out - whether it is within the US or abroad.

Yes, cost is a factor, but a lot of that is how people choose to spend their money. Airfare is expensive, but you can barter or go cheap for almost everything else.

Plus, I'd rather take a trip whose memories and experiences will last forever than buy generic status items.

My goal is to visit all 50 states and 6/7 continents. I'm at about 26 states, 17 countries, and 2 continents (including N. America).

Cost really is an issue for a lot of people. Unless you're talking cheap Cancun package tour or equivalent, the perception is that your money will go further if you stay in the 48.

And maybe we homebodies could travel more if we had a ten hour work week like the ever-roaming French:lol:

International travel has enriched my life. I have learned so much about different cuisines, cultures, architecture, fashion, etc., etc., etc.

My husband does a lot of international travel due to his area of expertise. So he has accumulated a lot of FF miles. But there are always airline deals to be found if you aren't a FF.

Make sure you buy a CD/book combination for the language of the country you are visiting so that you can learn some crucial words in the country you visit. It will make you more comfortable on your trip.

Also buy a Michelin or some other travel guide so you can plan out your day trips. For your safety you don't want to appear clueless with a map in hand.

Also google and find out how to not dress like an American to avoid being attacked by people who hate Americans. Wear dark clothing, no shirts with writing on them, and no athletic shoes.

Even if you speak some French, if your pronunciation isn't perfect, don't bother.

I think proximity and distance are the biggest factor in this data. For Europeans where the next country is only a couple of hours drive away, a passport is pretty much a necessity of life. For most Americans, it is a luxury item. When I can drive for ten hours straight and still be in the same state, I have plenty to explore in my own back yard. This data is definitely out of context when comparisons are made to Europeans and the percentage of passport holders in a country.

International travel has enriched my life. I have learned so much about different cuisines, cultures, architecture, fashion, etc., etc., etc.

My husband does a lot of international travel due to his area of expertise. So he has accumulated a lot of FF miles. But there are always airline deals to be found if you aren't a FF.

Make sure you buy a CD/book combination for the language of the country you are visiting so that you can learn some crucial words in the country you visit. It will make you more comfortable on your trip.

Also buy a Michelin or some other travel guide so you can plan out your day trips. For your safety you don't want to appear clueless with a map in hand.

Also google and find out how to not dress like an American to avoid being attacked by people who hate Americans. Wear dark clothing, no shirts with writing on them, and no athletic shoes.

Even if you speak some French, if your pronunciation isn't perfect, don't bother.

Many a chateau has been opened to me as I explored the French countryside in my 'Don't Mess With Texas' T-Shirt.

The people I have met love Americans (especially now that Bush isn't our president) - they just hate UGLY americans - aka xenophobic arseholes being rude and wanting McDonalds and everyone to speak 'Merican. :roll:

I don't think proximity and distance are the only factors - other countries that have $$ flights or are further away from their neighbors also emphasize travel and other cultures more than we do.

Any kind of travel is good for you - you don't have to go to a different country to see amazing things and a different culture or cuisine. I think of many US states as a separate entity - geographically they are the same size or bigger than many countries - and we have some amazing sights, especially in our National Parks.

A passport costs the same as a pair of jeans or a dinner for 2 somewhere decent or filling up a SUV 2x, so I'm calling BS that it's a luxury.

A passport costs the same as a pair of jeans or a dinner for 2 somewhere decent or filling up a SUV 2x, so I'm calling BS that it's a luxury.

Roundtrip tickets for a family of four to europe booked six months out runs about $5000.00. Plus the cost of the stay. How many families in this country have a four figure chunk of expendible income for a trip like this? (Answer: about 30%) I think cost is the biggest factor.

I agree that our society doesn't put enough emphasize on other cultures and their exploration. I love to travel, but lack the resources to do so seriously. The only real reason to own a passport is international travel. Traveling to exotic countrys for pleasure is a luxury. A luxury I wish I could indulge in, but a luxury nevertheless.

Travel Channel, I've been everywhere man I've been everywhere!

Many a chateau has been opened to me as I explored the French countryside in my 'Don't Mess With Texas' T-Shirt.

:lol: Believe it or not, I've never worn a Gator shirt while traveling internationally.

I think most of us do what we really want...we make choices all the time. Some will give up many things for a trip to a place they really want to visit.

Others, prefer to buy a house, car, whatever...

Often, over the years, a roundtrip ticket to Europe has been cheaper than a trip from here to New York. There are lots of bargains out there--there are tons of ways to travel on a budget, even with children.

I think cost is an issue, but it is the perception of cost, more than the reality--I used to travel to New York City a lot for work, and would stay for a few days to explore the city because I find it so fascinating...so many people back home would say to me, but it's so expensive! Not so--but I rented an apt, not an expensive hotel; shopped for food at the local grocery (which I found cheaper than the one back in Florida), stood in line for discount Broadway tickets, went to the museums on "free" days, etc., etc.

It all depends upon whether you want to be a traveler or a tourist...and there is a difference.

To each his/her own, but I know my life and the lives of my child and grandchildren and my friends and other family have been enriched by our travel to other places...and none us has ever been "wealthy" in terms of $$$.

International travel not only shows the traveler a different way of life, it changes the traveler in ways that are so important IMExperience. Living out of the country is even better.

Our country looks different seen through the eyes of a citizen who has seen other countries and gotten to know other people.

International travel is especially important for childrens' education.

My hubby is an almost 3-million-miler with Delta, so we have been able to take our daughter on an international trip every year from the time she was two years old, plus a lot of travel in the U.S., all on FF miles. Her travel experiences have definitely contributed to her academic success. For example, she took a humanities class and knew more than the professor because she has visited so many countries, has visited art galleries everywhere we have visited (I love art history, and so does she). So she essentially taught the class.

My 15-yo nephew took a year of Chinese at his school in the Dallas area, and then they went to China last summer. He said that the experience changed his life.

The president at the institution where I teach thinks that international travel is such an important factor in a student's education that a study-abroad experience during a one-month term will be free for all students with no tuition increase (other than the usual inflation-based increases).

If you haven't traveled abroad, you must. It is life-changing. Just look for airline deals. They can always be found if you're flexible with your dates and number of stops.

I agree with mostly everything you have stated Glenda, but your opening statement about people choosing between travel (a luxury) and a house or car (a necessity) is just kinda silly. Of course you might have meant a second house, which brings the expense part to meaningless.

Travel is a wonderful thing. I'm very Thankful for all the travel I've been lucky enough to experience in my lifetime.

However, despite still having a passport, at this stage in life I choose not to travel internationally for a variety of reasons; none of which are open for guilt-inducing judgmental review by the likes of Bob Bommarito (who OBTW just happens to have a horse in that race).

His below statement irritates me to a spectacular degree.

CNN) -- The numbers tell the story: Of the 308 million-plus citizens in the United States, 30% have passports.

That's just too low for such an affluent country, said Bruce Bommarito, executive vice president and chief operating officer for the U.S. Travel Association.

As previously stated, America is an enormously large country that encompasses numerous different cultures that don't require a govt. issued passport to experience. How 'bout: they even exist within our own community!

I agree with mostly everything you have stated Glenda, but your opening statement about people choosing between travel (a luxury) and a house or car (a necessity) is just kinda silly. Of course you might have meant a second house, which brings the expense part to meaningless.

I always find it amusing when I'm called "silly"😀(always by a male poster) but back to the point.

...for me travel is not a luxury and of course everyone needs shelter and transportation...a car is not a necessity in all places; and there are many different kinds of houses.
I would prefer a smaller house and a more economical car (really I would prefer no car at all) if it meant I could take a trip. It's all about choice.

Obviously there are those among us who do not make the choice for reasons that concern their own circumstances...however, I am a firm believer that if something is really important most people find a way--history is full of stories of people who overcame all kinds of obstacles to get a degree, a job, a home, etc., If one really wants to explore the world, then there are many jobs that afford that opportunity; if one wants to live in a different culture, there are many means to do that... I think the point of the original posting, was to wonder why more Americans did not want to travel internationally--because if one wants to, there is a way to make it happen. Some people are just not as interested as others. Here is one of my favorite blogs about travel: Daisann McLane's Real Travel. She always has new, fun things to report.

I have read this thread about 10 times, commented and deleted, because I respect Glenda's opinions and yet on this one I respectfully disagree.

I find it sad that millions of people in this country are without jobs, have lost their homes, that many, many children go hungry at night in a country that many consider affluent.

I don't find it sad that not everyone wants to travel abroad.

I know many compassionate, tolerant people that have never left their immediate area. I know others that are world travelers and are the exact opposite.

I also know some that present their passports like scout merit badges, present company excluded.

I definitely think cost is an issue for many. I don't find a house or car a luxury especially if the car is necessary for work. Time off from one's job is another factor. Family concerns are another. Many spend what time off they have visiting or caring for a family member.

Many foreigners have passports for business reasons, so not sure how the numbers stack up for leisure travel.

Considering two of the most visited destinations for foreigners is Disney World and Graceland, not sure they are all coming over for an education in our culture and history. And yes both Disney World and Graceland are dear to my heart for reasons many are not aware of.

For those with the affluence to travel it does come down to choice and that is what is great about our country is we do have choices.

And if those choices are different from our own, well then that is the first step in tolerance.

If you want to see things from a different perspective, go hang out at a biker bar.;-)