Originally Posted by cmd320

Two scenarios (under normal circumstances):

1) I fly to the UK for twelve days and spend ~ $5500 on hotels/lodging, another $2000 on food/drinks, $1000 on transportation within the country, and let's say another $1000 on entertainment items (a few rounds of golf, souvenirs, sightseeing/general tourism, etc.).

2) I fly to California for seven days and spend ~ $3000 on hotels/lodging, $1000 on food/drinks, $350 on a rental car, and maybe another $750 on entertainment.

Scenario two directly stimulates the US economy. Scenario one does not.