All I have been reading about recently is the incredible influx of European tourists visiting the US this year. It was covered again today on MSNBC and a little over a week ago in Global Traveler‘s electronic newsletter, eFlyer. A recent report released from the U.S. Department of Commerce is reporting that approximately 15 million international visitors traveled to the US in the first half of 2008. This is a significant increase from 2007. Most of the visitors are traveling from Western Europe and between January and April 2008, 1.4 million Brits have made the journey across the pond. It seems there is a good side and a bad side to this recent development – the good news, tourism to the US is back on track and on the rise since the events of 9/11, but the bad news, the strength of the dollar is so weak, the travel from the US to abroad is not reciprocated. And the suspected reason for all the European travelers? The US is cheap, cheap, cheap for them. Most visitors are flocking to New York City, an expensive spot to visit for most of us, but an affordable destination to those used to the Pound (1 pound = $1.99) and the Euro (1 euro = $1.58). For almost half of what they would normally pay, international visitors can shop, sightsee and be constantly entertained on a vacation to the Big Apple. From coast to coast, there is a lot to see and do here. The boost in tourism and the $11.6 billion spent by tourists in the US (just in the month of April), can only help job stability and the economy here in the States. Hopefully, someday soon, as many Americans will have the chance to travel abroad and enjoy the sights Europe has to offer. Although America has a lot to offer, so it wouldn’t hurt if we all took some time to get to know our country, too! -Kim Krol, circulation and public relations executive