Yes, the proportion of US residents traveling overseas is probably lower than other developed nations. UK residents for example made 47 million[1] air trips in 2009 vs. 39 million[2] for US citizens. However the argument that fear is the primary cause is misguided. Consider:
1. If you live in the UK and you want sunny weather or a ski trip, you'll need to go elsewhere in Europe. If you live in the US, you can probably get away with a local flight.
2. It's easier to justify and amortize the time to travel to a far-off destination for Europeans who have double the number of vacation days. South Africa is a 22-30 hour trip from the US, the number of US tourists is on the low end[3]#, while US tourists to Brazil are 2nd only to tourists from neighboring Argentina[4].
# Anecdotally, I notice more North American tourists in Cape Town than other nationalities, although this may have more to do with the volume of the average American voice.
Your first point is a big one - the US has an incredible variety of places to visit. I'm from the UK, and while there are some amazing places to visit in the UK, there is a lot less variety than there is in the US. I spend 10 days driving from Denver to Vegas and saw far more scenery than I ever have in the UK. If I lived in the US I could easily imagine not leaving it for years (when I lived in the UK I'd go abroad at least twice a year).
Maybe. You're doing the UK a bit of a disservice. You're right that there's lots of nice scenery and the place is littered with castles and ruins. I'm a Kiwi who moved to Edinburgh and even after 5 years here I still love catching site of the big you-can-fuck-right-off castle in the middle of town. I'm still discovering lots of cool things right on my doorstep too.
New Zealand has plenty of amazing scenery and it's all within a rather small country too which makes it pretty easy to get to and see. But that doesn't stop hordes of young Kiwis heading off on their Big O.E. every year. Actually it's bit sad to meet some of the young Kiwis and find they haven't seen much of their own country before they spread their wings and head overseas.
Very true, the historical architectural/cultural side of the UK (castles+ruins+very old stuff) is incredible. Going around old towns like Cambridge and York, and seeing stuff like Stonehenge is a pretty stunning experience the first time around. Of course, having lived in the UK for most of my life I completely take all of that for granted!
1. If you live in the UK and you want sunny weather or a ski trip, you'll need to go elsewhere in Europe. If you live in the US, you can probably get away with a local flight.
2. It's easier to justify and amortize the time to travel to a far-off destination for Europeans who have double the number of vacation days. South Africa is a 22-30 hour trip from the US, the number of US tourists is on the low end[3]#, while US tourists to Brazil are 2nd only to tourists from neighboring Argentina[4].
[1] http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_transport/trave... p. 90
[2] http://www.tinet.ita.doc.gov/view/m-2009-O-001/index.html
[3] http://www.southafrica.net/sat/action/media/downloadFile?med...
[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Brazil
# Anecdotally, I notice more North American tourists in Cape Town than other nationalities, although this may have more to do with the volume of the average American voice.