So I was reading this article on CNN, seems there's only 30% of Americans that have passports!!??...That is insane to me...Was just wondering how many of you all have passports and have traveled abroad, and for those of you who haven't, I'm interested to know why....
Originally Posted by Valerie
A really great question and something I have always wondered myself. It's even more intriguing given the global impact of American culture and business---sometimes welcomed and sometimes not!
I think a number of the previous respondents who have indicated that countries in Europe are relatively small in size compared to the U.S. and thus a passport/international travel was more of a necessity is one factor.
Additionally, the ability for the U.S. population (outside the top 5-10% of income earners) to affordably travel across an ocean has only been available for the last 25 years. So as time passes, I do think international travel will increase as I do recall that same statistic (% of passport holders among Americans) being below 20% in the 1990s.
Just like a lot of other pleasureable things, once you do it (travel internationally), you want to keep doing it.