American tourists have been going to Europe at a steadily rising rate since World War II, but this year for the first time the rate is dipping. Eastbound steamship bookings are down 6.8% from 1960; Cunard Line (the Queens Mary and Elizabeth) advertised cabin-class accommodations still available as of last week. And although transatlantic airlines are actually carrying more people abroad, the load rate is averaging only 50% because the big new jets have increased seating capacity.
Whatever the numerous reasons for the fall-off—world tensions, recession, eagerness to visit Asian or other off-beat tourist spots—the fact is that the once-favored...
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