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 Start Planning Your Summer Vacation – You'll Have Plenty of Company This is the time of year when Americans translate their vacation dreams into serious planning. Results of the 2002 American Express Travel Index conducted in late April indicate more people may be traveling this summer than last (62 percent said they would take a vacation this year vs. 55 percent in 2001). If you want to join the crowd, here are some tips to make the experience go smoothly: Consider the therapeutic benefits of getting away from it all: Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed say the events of September 11 will have little or no effect on their vacation planning this year. Still, accumulated stress is part of the legacy of that day for most, and rest and relaxation could be therapeutic. There are two ways to address the issue: Plan several vacations and make each one count (this year’s average holiday will last eight days, according to those surveyed); or schedule a series of strategically placed weekend getaways (survey respondents report they’re scheduling an average of four such jaunts this year). Make sure your passport is current: Twelve percent of those surveyed in the American Express Index said they will travel internationally this year. If you might be journeying to another country, take the time now to make sure your passport is also ready to travel. A list of guidelines for travelers appears on the Web site of The U.S.Department of State. Unless your trip is an emergency, you’ll need to apply for a new or renewed passport several months in advance of your planned departure. Add additional lead time for any visas you will need. Passport forms can be downloaded from the Internet at or obtained by calling the National Passport Information Center at 1-900-225-5674. You can have your application processed at 13 passport agencies and more than 4,500 other locations nationwide. (Most of the 13 passport agencies are designated to serve only those departing urgently and appointments are required.) Choose a time and place that suits you best: A vacation that works for someone else might not be good for you. Ask yourself these questions: Is getting there half the fun? If so, choose a mode of transportation designed for leisurely sightseeing instead of speed. Is it important for you to be at the “happening place” when things are happening? Then, July is clearly the time to travel, according to 41 percent of the Americans taking part in the survey. But, for those who need a more laid-back atmosphere, there are what travel agents call the shoulder seasons – May in spring and September and October in the fall – bringing shorter lines and, it is hoped, favorable weather. Click your way to travel bargains: Travel resources online have grown since this time last year – 35 percent of Americans say they will use the Internet to plan their vacations this year compared to 29 percent last year. You can click your way to destination research, delve into the archives of a premier travel magazine, and locate a travel agent who has first-hand expertise on your travel destination. June 6, 2002
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