| California News Brief |
|
CHINESE TOURISTS ARE THE EXPORT THAT CALIFORNIA IS CHASING |
The California Travel and Tourism Commission has set up shop in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai, aiming to market the state more aggressively as a destination for foreign visitors. (Los Angeles Times)
Back To Top | Read More >>
|
|
EDUCATING JUNIOR FOODIES IN SAN FRANCISCO |
Have your kids ever seen a cranberry bean? We've never seen so much luscious -- and unusual -- produce in one place -- heirloom tomatoes, white peaches, plums, big and tiny grapes, almonds and walnuts, various varieties of chili peppers, eggplants, potatoes, all kinds of apples. Welcome to The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on San Francisco's wharf. (CNN.com)
Back To Top | Read More >>
|
|
LAYOFFS, JOB INSECURITY DIG DEEP INTO TOURISM INDUSTRY |
Eric and Mary Juarez had planned to fly to Peru or Holland this year to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary and visit members of her family. Instead, the Corona couple is settling for a long weekend in Santa Barbara. (The Press-Enterprise)
Back To Top | Read More >>
|
|
BOTTLESHOCK WITH NAPA’S FINEST |
California Tourism hosted members of the industry to a private screening of independent film, Bottle Shock last week, leaving guests thirsty for Napa Valley wines. (eTravelBlackboard.com)
Back To Top | Read More >>
| |
| U.S. Travel News |
| TOP CONGRESSIONAL LEADER: INCENTIVE TRAVEL OKAY |
The Congressman spearheading legislative moves to limit compensation to executives of companies that have accepted federal bailout funds formally stated his support for incentive and meeting travel on the floor of the House of Representatives on April 1. (Incentive Magazine)
Back To Top | Read More >>
|
| A DEFINING MOMENT |
Bad press and misinformed lawmakers create an opportunity for a unified industry to prove its worth and help its members succeed. (One + Magazine)
Back To Top | Read More >>
|
| DEFENDING BUSINESS TRAVEL IN A RECESSION |
Businesses must travel and hold meetings even in a recession (or perhaps especially in a recession) in order to survive and thrive. It's unfortunate that business travel and meetings have been the targets of sharp condemnation in the current economic downturn. (USA Today)
Back To Top | Read More >>
|
| BUSINESS MEETS SOCIAL MEDIA |
Did you know there’s a Facebook group for the Meetings Mean Business campaign of the U.S. Travel Association? This seems like a great call to arms for the travel-and-tourism industry around a topic that’s hitting close to home for so many. It gives some grass-roots legs to the MeetingsMeanBusiness.com site, which is more about stats and facts. (HotelNewsNow.com)
Back To Top | Read More >>
|
| MESSAGE ON TRAVEL NEEDS NEW DIRECTION |
Even in this challenging environment, members of Congress and the administration have made statements critical of business travel. Although directed at a handful of companies receiving emergency federal loans, their comments have had a chilling effect on all businesses, betraying a poor understanding of the role that travel plays in the American economy. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Back To Top | Read More >>
|
|
REPORT: HAWAII TOURISM INDUSTRY IN ‘CRISIS MODE’ |
Hawaii’s tourism industry is in “crisis mode” and is underappreciated, according to a new economic report. (Sacramento Business Journal)
Back To Top | Read More >>
|
|
THE NEW GAY MECCA NEXT DOOR: IOWA MAY RING UP TOURISM DOLLARS |
Nine years ago, Omahans Donna Colley and Margaux Towne-Colley ventured off to a picturesque village in Vermont to exchange rings and vows of lifelong commitment. (Omaha World-Herald)
Back To Top | Read More >>
|
| TRAVEL INDUSTRY WOOS THOSE WITH PLENTY OF LEISURE TIME |
|
Pink slip travelers? Furlough tourists? Jobless vacationers? Call them what you may, they are a surprising new target for travel bargains aimed at the unemployed, the furloughed and jittery workers fearful of being laid off. (Los Angeles Times)
Back To Top | Read More >>
| | |
| VISITCALIFORNIA.COM |
|
During a recession, when everyone is bunkering down and cutting back, it’s very tempting for tourism agencies to scale back on tourism marketing. Some destination marketing organizations (DMOs) across the country and in California are scaling back, for example, on international marketing and focusing more on drawing tourists from their own back yard – reminiscent of strategies used after 9-11.
Despite predictions that tourism spending is expected to decrease overall about 8 percent in California this year due to the recession, CTTC will do what the state industry cannot do for itself by continuing our marketing efforts in key domestic and international primary and opportunity markets. We will be focusing more than ever on efforts which offer the highest return on investment, and more on strategic partnerships, such as Southwest Airlines, that will stretch our resources and impact, so that we do not lose momentum gained in recent years. Since many competitors will be scaling back, we can take advantage of this opportunity to have a “greater share of voice.” We are also doing smarter media buying, where you do upfront purchases to get the most cost-efficient buys. We’re also leveraging our advertising buys in the domestic market for more promotional content.
Right now, here’s what we know for sure about visitor spending in California. In 2007 visitors spent $96.7 billion in California, supporting jobs for 924,100. Although the 2008 statistics won’t be in until this summer, we have enough data to expect them to remain strong and be similar to the previous year. Approximately 83 percent of spending comes from domestic visitors, 50 percent of which is from in-state travelers. Approximately 17 percent of spending comes from international visitors. Despite the expected downturn in these expenditures in 2009, we are cautiously optimistic that if we stay the course and maintain our global marketing efforts throughout this year, California will be way ahead of the game in the long run.
Regards,
Susan Wilcox
Vice President of Communications
Amanda Moreland
Media Relations Manager |
|
