I wonder if those numbers from the Commerce are broken down by state, and whether there were increases or decreases in the usual suspect areas- Florida, New York, The National Parks and California. If so, that is about 70% of the country that goes unvisited and that the individual state tourism boards are under marketing their areas, which may be of interest to Europeans and provide a lower cost holiday than the usual places.

As for going to Europe, so much stuff there is seriously, seriously overpriced. An American accent is apparently a Pavlovian ring to induce "Are you serious, fool" pricing on everything. And remember, those who were the real big spenders- the $500/night and above hotels, the $40 croissants and coffee breakfasts, the fees for an extra towel- are not spend that much money just for attitude from Monseiur. They can rent a house in Hawai'i or go to India and rent part of palace and have great food and ride out the time.

Of course, a Russian mafiaoso or mineral wealth magnate would still pay those prices happily, and there's a marketing scheme for the European tourist market: Live Like a Czar!

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