TRUCKEE NAMED A CALIFORNIA WELCOME CENTER
The designation comes from the California Travel and Tourism Commission, turning Truckee’s visitor center run by the Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce into a California Welcome Center, adding signs on Interstate 80, and helps promote Truckee for tourism. (Sierra Sun)
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THE WINERY EXPERIENCE IN SONOMA COUNTY, CA
Even if you’ve never been to California, odds are that you’ve tasted it. Two out of every three bottles of wine sold in the United States are California wines. The nation’s top wine producer, California makes 90 percent of all U.S. wine. The state also ranks as the fourth leading wine producer in the world, behind France, Italy and Spain. (Where 2 Now)
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LESS TRAVEL EXPECTED THIS SUMMER; DESTINATIONS RESPOND WITH DEALS
Last summer's recession-driven travel trend, the stay-at-home vacation, has returned for another visit - with a related, economy-minded twist: When people do hit the road this summer, they'll likely travel shorter distances and spend fewer days at their destinations, according to travel experts. (The Sacramento Bee)
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TOURISM INDUSTRY LOOKS TO LURE VISITORS TO SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
As the summer travel season gets under way this weekend, San Luis Obispo County hotels and other tourism-related businesses are hoping good deals will be enough to entice budget-conscious vacationers to the Central Coast. (The Tribune)
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CONSUMER CONFIDENCE SOARS IN MAY
Consumer confidence extended its rebound in May, soaring to the highest level since last September as more shoppers are feeling the worst of the recession is behind them. (Associated Press via Yahoo! News)
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SENATE COMMITTEE PASSES TRAVEL PROMOTION ACT OF 2009
The United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation today approved S. 1023, the "Travel Promotion Act of 2009." The bipartisan legislation, led by Senators Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and John Ensign (R-Nev.) creates a public-private partnership with a budget of up to $200 million annually to attract international travelers to the United States by better communicating America's security policies and competing for visitors. (HotelWorld Network)
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U.S. COMMERCE SECRETARY SPEAKS ON IMPORTANCE OF TRAVEL TO U.S. ECONOMY
The U.S. Travel Association welcomed Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke as the keynote speaker at "International Pow Wow 2009," the world's largest convention of international travel professionals. Secretary Locke addressed nearly 5,000 attendees, saying, "We are committed to removing barriers to the growth of tourism exports." (Hotel Interactive)
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‘AWAYCATION’ HEALTHIER THAN ‘STAYCATION’
Experts are saying it's actually healthier to get out of town rather than spend time locally. According to a study done by the U.S. Travel Association, taking a real vacation, or "awaycation," improves health and mentality. The study says it also decreases feelings of anxiety, insomnia and depression and reduces your chances of a heart attack. (WFXL-TV)
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SUMMER SEASON BRINGS GREAT TRAVEL DEALS
"Now is probably the best season to travel," said Roger Dow, the president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. Deals are good, because business is bad, reports CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller. Out of the 4.5 million hotel rooms nationwide, occupancy rates are expected to slip below 56 percent this year, down from 60 percent in 2008. (CBS News)
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