trip would be too long for the average tourist. It was pointed out that in 

 1937 passengers carried by the two steamship lines which operated alter- 

 nate weekly sailings from the United States Atlantic Coast to South 

 America's east coast totaled only 7,500. 



The skeptics were routed, however, when, at the end of 1939, the first 

 full year of the "Good Neighbor" ships' operation, it was announced that 

 they had carried 15,050 passengers, or double the 1937 volume. In 1940, 

 the total increased to 18,000; and in 1941, despite the threat of war, it 

 rose to 20,000, nearly three times the 1937 total. 



Not only were more North Americans visiting South America, but in- 

 creasingly large numbers of South Americans were coming north. For- 

 merly, Latin Americans traveled to Europe, partly because the European 

 ships sailing to South America were far superior to the ships linking 

 North and South America. When the luxurious "Good Neighbor" ships 

 entered the service, the people of South America were immediately im- 

 pressed by their size and comfort and began flocking to our shores as pas- 

 sengers. Exchange of students was encouraged, as well as exchange of 

 ideas, and "Good Neighbor" relations began to be firmly established. 



It is only natural that thousands of travelers are being attracted by the 

 itinerary of these ships, for the sights on the voyage down South Amer- 

 ica's east coast are some of the most beautiful and most spectacular in the 

 world. 



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