Dear Travel Partner:

Last year, amid worries about the dollar and the economy, Americans made more visits to Europe—13.3 million—than ever before.

That’s a testament to the famous resilience of the U.S. market, particularly when we’re talking about Europe, the favorite overseas destination of Americans by far.

And while this summer has been more difficult, we are now seeing airfares moderate and the dollar rise in value. It helps that the number of U.S. passport holders continues to steadily increase.

That's why I’m writing to invite you to the Visit Europe Media Exchange coming up this fall; everyone has good news to get out to our media friends regarding the year to come in Europe.

This year, the Media Exchange will take place in San Francisco (for the first time) on Thursday, Oct. 30, Toronto on Tuesday, Nov. 4, and New York on Thursday, Nov. 6.

These days, whether you represent a city or region, or speak for a major attraction or travel service, success is more dependent than ever upon expanding contacts with journalists and on generating more stories in newspapers, magazines, on TV and online.

At each Visit Europe Media Exchange, you will meet with up to 20 qualified, interested and frequently published journalists in one-on-one interviews and with many more at open sessions. All in one day, under one roof.

We hope you can make it.

Jean-Philippe Perol

U.S. Chairman

European Travel Commission