TRAVEL PROMOTION ACT PASSES IN SENATE, BRINGING U.S. CLOSER INTO THE 21ST CENTURY OF GLOBAL TOURISM MARKETING
In late May, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation passed the Travel Promotion Act, bringing us a step closer to being a world-class contender for international travel. Most Americans would be surprised and embarrassed to know that we are the only major country without any kind of national tourism promotion budget. Even so-called “third world” countries have travel promotion budgets, including television advertising campaigns in many parts of the world. (Fox & Hounds)  
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EXPLORING SAN DIEGO’S CRAFT BEER SCENE
Fanatically innovative brewers around the globe are creating new beers with unorthodox ingredients and techniques. Beer geek Christian DeBenedetti makes a pilgrimage to a newly famous scene close to home: California’s San Diego County. (Food & Wine) 
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THE GOOD LIFE: CALISTOGA, WHERE THE LOCALS ARE FRIENDLY
On a recent Sunday evening at Hydro Grill & Bar, co-owner Alex Dierkhising stood at the bar with a glass of wine, chatting easily about his place. (Sacramento Bee)
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PALM SPRINGS MULLS CUTS, COULD SPARE TOURISM
The Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism are looking to trim $300,000 from next year's budget. They presented the cuts to the City Council Wednesday, but the council wants to find a way to keep the bureau fully funded. (KESQ.com)
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CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’
The Golden State has it all: beaches, forests, deserts, cities—big and small—and a fun, family-friendly vibe. (Family Circle)
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CBO: TRAVEL PROMOTION ACT WILL CUT DEFICIT
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has reported that S.1023, the “Travel Promotion Act,” will reduce the U.S. federal budget deficit by $425 million over the next 10 years. “This bill will reduce the deficit and increase jobs,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. (Travel Pulse)
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COMMERCE SECRETARY LOCKE SUPPORTS TRAVEL PROMOTION
During an interview on CNBC earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke spoke of the Obama Administration’s support for travel promotion. (CNBC Squawk Box)
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LOOKING SOUTH FOR VISITORS
Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau CEO Gary Sain has seen the face of the international travel sector’s rebound — and it looked a lot like Latin America. After a year punctuated with one bit of bad news after another, this year’s travel industry Pow Wow, held May 16-20 in Miami Beach, offered the industry cause for hope. (Orlando Business Journal)
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UNITED AIRLINES BUCKS TREND WITH BIG PLANE ORDER
United Airlines said it has asked the two largest planemakers to bid on an order that could replace its widebody fleet, a move experts say could jump-start demand for new planes from embattled U.S. carriers as they wade through an economic recession. If United places such an order, which amounts to about 150 planes, it would be its first since 1998. (Reuters via CNN Money)
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NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE WILL WAIVE FEES FOR THREE WEEKENDS THIS SUMMER
The National Park Service is looking to stimulate summer vacations at national parks. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced recently that entrance fees at 147 national parks and monuments – including the Grand Canyon and Yosemite – will be waived on three weekends this summer. The weekends are June 20-21, July 18-19 and August 15-16. (Associated Press via KING5-TV)
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