Some U.S. Travelers Rethinking Plans To Visit Europe

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The recent terror attacks have some U.S. travelers on alert about vacationing in Europe.

Meghan McCorkell has more on why people are reconsidering their plans.

Europe is normally a big summer travel destination, but with the recent terrorist attacks, analysts say Americans are shying away.

Bombs explode inside the Brussels airport terminal and a subway station this week.

In January, a suicide bomber detonates explosives in a popular tourist area of Istanbul.

And more than 100 were killed and dozens more were injured when terrorists opened fire and set off explosives throughout Paris in November.

The attacks have led the State Department to issue travel warnings for Americans.

"This is in no way to discourage or to recommend that Americans do not travel or postpone or cancel their travel plans," said Mark Toner, U.S. State Department.

But local travel agents say some of their clients are on the fence about heading to Europe.

"Naturally, everybody goes to Paris, London and Rome. Those are always the three most popular," said Ted Landau, Inner Harbor Travel.

Landau says he's already had one trip cancel, and more are reconsidering.

"When people ask, 'Should I go?' I can't tell somebody else what they should do," he said.

According to travel website Skift, 20 percent of U.S. travelers planning to visit Europe in the next six months have now canceled plans. Another 28 percent are rethinking.

"June, July are the big times to visit Europe," said Patrick Sully.

Sully--with the web app Hopper, that tracks trip searches--says fewer people are looking into Europe this year.

"Europe is not getting a good name in the news at the moment, and it makes people think about other places that they might want to go," said Sully.

A hit for some cities that are normally summer tourist hot spots.

Hopper says they've seen a 13 percent drop in Europe flight searches this year over last.

The State Department has warned U.S. travelers in Europe to be vigilant, especially at sporting events, tourist destinations and transit hubs.