Travel America: Twenty years of travel

IN 1985 BACK TO THE FUTURE was the top-grossing film, a delightful flick about young Marty McFly's being transported back in time. Science hasn't yet enabled us to actually experience time travel, but we can explore how travel has changed. And changed it has since Marty climbed into that DeLorean. In the past 20 years, planes, trains, automobiles, where we go, what we do, and how we do it have all been altered.

Since terrorism exploded into our lives on 9/11, the most noticeable difference in any form of travel is security. Having your bags searched, removing your shoes, getting a once-over with a wand are but a few routine checks at airports, railroads, and bus terminals. But Americans are resilient; we shrug it off and continue to travel.

Twenty years ago, most of us planning a trip would have contacted a travel agent, who might have booked our flight, arranged a hotel, suggested an itinerary, and handled every detail. Then along came the Internet. Millions of travelers now book their own trips, and their numbers are growing. That's not to say we no longer turn to travel agents; we do because they still provide what technology lacks--the personal touch.

The airline industry has undergone dramatic change since the turbulent 1980s. Deregulation saw the growth of smaller carriers and the merger of larger ones, and to the consumer's delight, price cuts. Many giants of the industry such as Pan Am and Eastern became history, and newcomers changed the way we fly. Jet Blue swept us off our feet with a fleet of new planes, wide seats, and DirecTV for every passenger. The low-cost airline was also the first to go 100 percent ticketless. Although paper tickets aren't gone completely, electronic ticketing is the way of the future.

Even stewardesses have changed; once perfectly coiffed youngish women in impeccable military-style uniforms served meals of "mystery meat." Now, male and female flight attendants of all ages, often more casually attired, offer us bags of pretzels and a choice of beverage.

One thing that hasn't changed is Americans' love affair with their cars. Even with soaring gas prices--in 1985 a gallon of regular averaged $1.20--our roads are more crowded than ever. According to Travel Industry Association of America, most leisure travel in the U.S. is made up of short trips, with more than half for two nights or less. The mode of transportation most frequently used on those trips is a car, truck, or RV.

The automobiles we now drive are sleeker, more compact, have electronic windows, locks that can be opened before we get to the car, incredible sound systems, DVD players, literally all the comforts of home. Many newer models include GPS, a navigation system that keeps even those

with absolutely no sense of direction from getting lost.

Where are we going anyway? The outdoors, for one. In 1985 the National Park Service (NPS) recorded 216 million visitors; estimates for 2005 are 277 million. The way we take vacations has changed, says David Barna, NPS chief of public affairs.

"Twenty years ago, 80 percent of our visitors came to a park and stayed for a week," he said. "They stayed in campgrounds or hotels and visited one park for a week. Only 20 percent were what we call 'day use' visitors. Now, those numbers have reversed. Eighty percent of our visitors are 'day use' visitors and only 20 percent stay in the park for a week. These days we tend to spend one day in a park and visit five parks in a week."

Barna also states: "The other big change has been a vast increase in visitors to cultural heritage sites. Sites commemorating the Civil War, Revolutionary War, Native American cultural sites in the Southwest, sites of Lewis and Clark's travels, have all seen big increases in the past 20 years."

The Historic Triangle of Virginia--Williamsburg/Jamestown/Yorktown--has also seen a number of changes. Colonial Williamsburg is larger today, with more restored sites and structures, and programs span a longer period. The newest interpretive site, Great Hopes rural plantation, reflects how people of "middling" means lived; Shields Tavern takes on the spirit of an 18th century coffeehouse with programs tying in to an ongoing archaeological dig. Visitors to Jamestown Settlement experience a dramatic new entrance area, part of a gallery complex to be completed by 2007, the 400th anniversary of Jamestown's founding. Yorktown's new Riverwalk Landing offers waterfront dining, shops, an outdoor plaza, and new piers allowing visitors to arrive by boat.

Many travelers' itineraries include casino gambling and the ever-popular Las Vegas--considered a budget destination when thought of as just a place for gaming. The year 1985 was a turning point for the Nevada town; the opening of The Mirage saw budget transforming to luxury, with hotels evolving into full-service resorts. In 1985, 14.2 million visitors chose from 53,067 rooms in Las Vegas. Projections for this year call for 38 million visitors to snuggle in 135,000 rooms. Diverse attractions, fabulous entertainment, cutting-edge restaurants, and great shopping keep Vegas ranking in the top three destinations.

Florida has long attracted vacationers, with many flocking to Walt Disney World. Anyone returning after 20 years will find two more theme parks--Disney-MGM Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom--bringing the total to four; two water parks; two cruise ships just offshore; two golf courses; new resorts; and countless new attractions.

Cypress Gardens Adventure Park was Florida's first theme park, famous for its botanical gardens and water ski show. It declined due to competition and closed in 2003. A new owner and $40-million remake adding over 35 rides, new shows, and renovation of oldies are packing in the crowds at this Winter Haven attraction.

If you haven't seen Kennedy Space Center lately, you're in the twilight zone. ATX--Astronaut Training Experience--offers a taste of the space flight experience; daily Astronaut Encounters, towering rockets, the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, and the NASA Up Close tour are a few examples of how the center's growth has soared.

Specialized tours are more popular than ever. Whether the interest is gourmet cooking, history, cycling, eco travel, spas, sailing, or golfing, a tour awaits. Sporting events are always a draw. "Any Game ... Any Place ... Any Time" is the slogan of Sports Travel, Inc., whose market continues to increase. Says owner Jay Smith: "The resiliency of the sports fan to see his or her favorite teams is pretty strong." Men, women, and children sign on for day trips or longer road trips to enjoy the sport of their choice.

More travelers are taking along the kids. "One of the big changes we've noticed recently is the growth in family travel that led to the launch of our Tauck Bridges family products," says Tom Armstrong of Tauck World Discovery, a prestigious tour operator. Parents with children and groups of multi-generational relatives partake in Bridges adventures to such destinations as Montana, Alaska, and Hawaii. "And they want more active engagement with the destination--what's been called 'sight-doing,' instead of sightseeing," he added.

Family travel is so popular that resorts offer great programs for kids of all ages. Florida's Amelia Island Plantation features hayrides, arts & crafts, and golf, nature, and tennis clinics. At the San Diego area's Hotel del Coronado teens can take lessons in kayaking, surfing, and tennis. After an active day outdoors, they can indulge in special teen spa packages, including facials, massages, manicures, or pedicures.

Family-friendly travel flourishes in destinations once thought of as "adult," such as New York City. Times Square, a shining example, was rundown and seedy 20 years ago. Now home to MTV and ABC Studios, stores like Toys R Us, and restaurants such as Planet Hollywood, it's one of the city's top visitor destinations. Top Broadway shows, such as Disney's The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast, strongly appeal to children.

When the railroad was king, legions arrived in New York via Grand Central Terminal. By the 1980s, the station was leaking, crumbling, and in dire need of repairs. A major restoration project completed in 1998 returned the grand old girl to her earlier splendor, making it much more than a place to catch a train; restaurants, cocktail lounges, shops, and public events held in what once was the main waiting room turned the terminal into a major attraction.

Washington, D.C.'s Union Station reopened in 1988 after a fabulous renovation. Presidents, kings, and queens have passed through Union Station, which is the hub for Amtrak's headquarters. With its shops and eateries, it's the most visited destination in the Nation's Capital. A recent newcomer is the International Spy Museum, where visitors adopt a cover and explore the world of spying. Along the Mall, newer memorials include those to FDR, the Korean War, and World War II.

Hotel chains have changed, featuring sleeker furniture and comfortable brandname mattresses. Some are installing flatscreen televisions that hook up to a laptop computer. Most already offer Internet access, if not in the guest rooms, at least in the lobby. Internet access is available almost everywhere--book stores, airports, libraries, coffee shops, cruise ships--as more and more people go online. In 1985 the number of Internet domain names registered was 6; today, it's over 63 million.

When a rainy day washes out plans, some travelers go to the movies. In 1985 the average price of a ticket to see Back to the Future was $3.55. If that DeLorean had propelled Marty McFly 20 years into the future, he would have suffered sticker shock. Today that ticket would cost anywhere from $7.50 to $10.

TRAVEL AMERICA TURNS 20

Dear Reader,

As TravelAmerica Magazine observes its 20th year of spotlighting the USA's great vacationlands, we want to thank our readers for coming along for the ride.

Over the years, so many of you have written to tell us we were doing something right. A common refrain: "TravelAmerica is for me."

According to your comments, you like the short lively stories and crisp, people-oriented photos about affordable, off-the-beaten-track places that other magazines gloss over. You've read articles about the Mississippi Delta and Arkansas Ozarks, Amish enclaves in Indiana and Illinois, an Arizona ranch for disabled riders, and even the Fell-O Museum in LeRoy, New York. Plus all the latest on hotspots like Las Vegas and Walt Disney World. Our reports have featured top RV campgrounds and charming bed and breakfast homes as well as fashionable resorts and grand city hotels.

Travel over the past 20 years has become more expensive, and some hassles have cropped up. On the other hand, many new developments have smoothed the way. In 1985, who would have thought of vacationing at a spa resort? Or taking a driving trip with the aid of GPS navigational systems and directions printed off a home computer?

Many of America's tried-and-true destinations have changed little in 20 years, a comforting fact. A vacation in the good old USA is just as thrilling as ever. Americans can choose from an infinite variety of memorable places that would take a lifetime to visit. What a country!

Again, thanks for being with us every mile of the way. Please continue to share your thoughts with us.

Happy Travels, Randy Mink, Editor TravelAmerica Magazine