Does anybody know if the bad economy will cause a noticeable decrease in crowds during the high season? I am planning a trip to Italy and France in September and October. However, according to Rick Steves, Paris is packed in September due to trade shows and Rome is busy in October due to the cooler weather. Does anybody have any knowledge regarding the effect a global economic downturn has on crowds in the high season? Am I making a big mistake traveling during this time period? Thanks!
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
There is a lot of talk that the crowds will be thinner. A ten percent reduction in tourism will be felt by everyone who caters to tourists more than it will be felt by the tourist who experiences a ten percent reduction in their 3 1/2 hour line.
I avoid the high season like the plague. That also means I miss the best festivals because they are held during high season.
Lots of people travel during high season (thus the name) and come home happy so it's probably not horribly bad to start with. Hopefully you will score a great coup visiting in the one year when the crowds are tolerable.
I was in Europe during 9/11 and people were aprehensive about congregating in large groups (especially tourist crowds) so some of the most touristed areas were remarkably crowd-free that fall.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15589 posts
Go! The weather will be much more pleasant than earlier (hot) or later (cold & wet). In Paris "packed" will probably not affect you much at all, once you have found accommodations - so book early. Same for Italy. I was in northern Italy last October. Yes, there were a lot of tourists, and yes, I had a wonderful time.