CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY LAUNCHES INITIATIVE TO BOLSTER HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY AS CAREER PATH FOR STUDENTS
The California State University has initiated a Hospitality Industry Initiative that aims to provide an uninterrupted supply of hospitality leaders in California. The initiative encourages strong ties among industry leaders and educators to prepare the next generation of managers and leaders for the industry and create excitement about career opportunities in hospitality. (CSU The California State University)   
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SWINE FLU EFFECT ON TOURISM ENDS UP BENEFITING SAN DIEGO
Tourism in San Diego and across the country has been affected by the slowdown in the economy. And, just as things were beginning to show signs of stability, the industry got rocked by the swine flu scare. (San Diego Daily Transcript) 
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MAYORS NEWSOM, REED FORGE REGIONAL CONSENSUS ON HIGH SPEED RAIL
Working with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed announced that they have helped establish consensus in the region about the Bay Area´s priorities for high-speed rail. (California Chronicle)
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LODI WINE INDUSTRY’S ANNUAL IMPACT $5 BILLION
Lodi's wine industry - growing grapes, making and bottling wine, catering to tourists drawn to area tasting rooms - generates $5 billion a year in economic activity, according to a new report. (Recordnet.com)
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SIPPING AND SAVING IN CALIFORNIA’S WINE COUNTRY
With a wedding planned for California's wine country in the middle of the recession, my fiancé and I worried not just about what we were spending, but also about our guests. After all, the July event is taking place in a region where $400-a-night hotel rooms and $240 fixed price meals can intimidate even the most budget-savvy traveler. (Associated Press via USA Today)
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INTRODUCING THE FACE OF TRAVEL
Paco Saldaña, an employee at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, is the Face of Travel. Elected by his peers, Paco Saldaña will serve as a travel industry spokesperson, talking to the media, policymakers and other stakeholders about the value of business and leisure travel. (U.S. Travel Association)
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NEW TREASURY RULES: MEETINGS DODGE A BULLET
The meetings and travel industry was generally hailing the new executive compensation rules issued by the U.S. Treasury Department on June 10 as a bullet dodged. The interim final rule, which is now in a 90-day public comment period, requires companies receiving Troubled Asset Relief Program funds to develop a company-wide policy for meetings, events, and other corporate travel expenses. (Meetings Net)
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HOUSE PASSES VISA-FRIENDLY LEGISLATION
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation that will help the United States welcome more international visitors with an improved visa program, the U.S. Travel Association reported this week. The legislation, H.R. 2410—the "Foreign Relations Authorization Act"—includes a provision that will allow the secretary of state to conduct a two-year pilot program that uses secure, remote videoconferencing technology to conduct tourist visa interviews. (Successful Meetings)
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FEDERAL PRYING WILL RUN DEEPER FOR AIR TRAVELERS
Booking a flight is getting a little more personal these days. Under a new federal security program, all airlines will be required to ask for your name as it appears on your government-issued ID. Eventually, they also will ask for your date of birth and gender in an effort to bolster security and minimize the frequency of misidentifying passengers with people named on suspected terrorist lists. (St. Louis Dispatch)
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TOURISM OFFICIALS WORRY FEDS HAVE TRAVEL BAN ON LEISURE DESTINATIONS
Is Orlando on a travel blacklist for federal agencies because coming here is too much fun? Tourism officials think that some sort of list exists. At the very least, they say, they're pretty sure some leisure destinations have been labeled as inappropriate for government meetings and other gatherings, regardless of price, because of potential image problems given the recession and ongoing financial crisis. (Orlando Sentinel)
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