Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24
Americans Spend Billions
On Summer Vacations
BY HARDEN COLFAX.

America will take five-billion dollar
vacation this year.
This rather startling total of the in
vestment which residents of the United
States will make during 1929 in seeking
mental and physical relaxation is based
upon estimates from various sources
which have been studying the rising
tide of travel during the last few years.
For three days last week representa-
tives of local clubs affiliated with the
American Automobile Association were
in conference in Washington. The as
ISOLATION estimated at this meeting that
IS 900 900 persons. a third of the total
population, would take motor trips this
year and that their expenditures would
aggregate three and half billion dol
lars.
During 1928, Americans spent more
than 5000 600, 900 in foreign travel, ac-
cording to estimates Of the Department
of Commerce, and there are indications
this sum will be exceeded in the present
calendar year.
There is some duplication between
the automobile tourist estimate and the
foreign travel estimate, but when the
amount which will be spent on vacations
by those who will travel by train within
the borders of the United States Is taken
into account, q total expenditure OF five
billion dollars does not appear an ex-
cessive figure.
Europe Is attracting more Americans
each year, The popularity OF the STU
dent" or tourist tours Is reducing the
average expenditure, but 1t Is estimated
that probably $50,0oo,o0o more was
spent in Europe, and In getting there
and back, last year than IN 1927.
Canadian officials estimate that the
expenditures by United States citizens
touring the Dominion increased last year
more than $50.0000 900 over the figures
for the preceding year, and that there
will be a further increase this year.
Travel to Cuba, Bermuda and other
nearby islands has shown a decided In
crease this Winter.
Reports to the American Automobile
Association conference last week indi-
Gated that the automobile tourists are
spending more money per capita because
they are seeking greater comforts and
hence are paying more Tor them. The
tourist camp, in the opinion OF club
secretaries and managers, Is losing favor
and hotels and houses accommodating
tourists are getting increasing trade.
That all sections of the country Will
participate In this automobile travel,
A
ports to the conference that the aver
age motorist on tour now travels 234
miles a day, whereas this fictional aver
age driver covered only 100 miles In q
day decade ago.
" X X
More than 1000 automobiles were
carried to Europe last year by Ameri-
cans desiring to tour the Old World in
their own cars. so great Is the demand
for this type Of service that the Amert-
can Automobile Association now has
representatives at 20 ports to facilitate
the tours. Many other Americans rent
cars abroad for their travels AS United
States license plates are not recognized
by most OF the foreign governments. ar
rangements are necessary to secure a
| travel pass. with plates, which make
touring convenient and passage OF GUS
| toms barriers easy.
Touring in the United States Is being
facilitated as never before, through
clubs aflliated with the A. A. A. and
other organizations of similar purpose.
The nnotorist IL assisted with maps,
data on road conditions, hotels, tourist