STRETCHING THE DOLLAR ACROSS EUROPE
There may be, in fact we know there are, many in this land who have been planning a trip abroad for this summer and who are really able to go, but—confusing and misleading rumors about foreign exchange rates have left them hesitant and afraid at the threshold of their great adventure! That is a pity, and just goes to show how abstractions about inflation, deflation, reflation, gold standards and such, can befuddle the minds of citizens who only want to know what they can get for their money in the way of a European vacation.
As an answef to this legitimate query, American travel experts who have been making contracts for 1934 tours of Europe, are giving assurances that, while the American dollar may have officially depreciated in terms of European exchange, yet it will be able to buy in general as much travel in Europe this year as ever before. And if compared to 1926, President Roosevelt's "Year of Normalcy" it will buy even more !
As a matter of fact, no one really cares about rates of exchange. People don't buy pounds sterling, francs, marks, liras, or what have you, with their money. They buy things. And the cost of these things has kept pace with the falling dollar.
For instance, take steamship passage, usually the major item on a European trip, prices of steamship tickets remain unchanged, and, in comparison with former years are down 30%.
The European railroads have announced reductions varying from 20% to 50%, many of them quoting special excursion rates between tourist centers, which are
exceptionally attractive.
An investigation into hotel rates all over Europe indicates reductions as high as 60%, with a general average of about 33%.
Furthermore, the entire cost of a European vacation may be settled in advance by buying and paying for the complete tour on this side. Thus vacationists can gauge to within a few dollars of what a complete tour abroad will cost this year.
For instance, should you go abroad on a cabin ship and stay in Europe three weeks, your entire round-trip this year would cost about sss°- if you are more economically inclined, the same length and type of tour, only using tourist class accommodations on shipboard, would cost you $460.
Should you wish a longer, more comprehensive stay abroad, you can figure on adding the rate of $8 per day for the additional time.
To sum up, the European vacationist of 1934 need not hesitate in fear of cheap dollars or high rates. The American dollar still buys its full quota of rest, change of scene, romance, recreation, culture and all 'he things one travels for, whose real value is priceless.
