SILVER LININGS IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY
After months of doom and gloom news about major losses in the travel industry, there’s no better time to focus our attention on the light at the end of the recession tunnel. (Fox & Hounds)    
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TOURISM INDUSTRY IS L.A. COUNTY’S NO. 1 JOB GENERATOR, REPORT SHOWS
Tourism has surpassed international trade as Los Angeles County's top industry in a new ranking that reflects the growing effect of hotels, shops and restaurants as job creators in Southern California. (Los Angeles Times)
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TOURISM BEGINS AT HOME
Jolene Francis grew up in Chico, and yet she has never hiked Feather Falls near Oroville—something she has always wanted to experience. Nor has she ever stayed the night at a bed and breakfast in the region. (News Review)
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SUMMER LOOKS HOT FOR HOTELS
Others’ misfortune may benefit Bakersfield’s hotel market this summer. Trends across the broader industry suggest vacationers are looking to spend less and stay closer to home. (Bakersfield.com)
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SUMMER DEMAND BRIGHTENS FOR CAR-RENTAL FIRMS
The battered rental-car industry, stalled by a recession-induced travel slowdown, appears to be turning a corner as the pivotal summer driving season gets under way. Industry giants Enterprise Rent-A-Car Co. and Hertz Global Holdings Inc. said reservations have accelerated ahead of the July 4 holiday weekend in the U.S. and that demand in Europe is picking up after sharp downturns. (Wall Street Journal)
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MILLIONS OF TRAVELERS APPLY FOR TRAVEL TO THE U.S. UNDER VISA WAIVER PROGRAM
Eight million international travelers have successfully applied to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program using the Electronic System of Travel Authorization (ESTA). These figures, released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials, shows that since ESTA launched on August 1 last year and become mandatory on Jan. 12, 2009, the system has enabled VWP travelers to apply electronically for visa-free travel to the U.S. (eTravel Blackboard)
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TOURIST SPOTS BANK ON PEOPLE STAYING CLOSE TO HOME
The U.S. Travel Association's annual summer travel forecast predicts a 2.2 percent decline from last summer in the number of trips Americans will take from June through August. Industry experts say family-friendly places such as Cape Cod and Lake George, in the densely populated Northeast and with an array of amusement parks, arcades, campsites and recreational attractions, are well-suited to weather the economic downturn as budget-conscious travelers seek getaways closer to home. (The Associated Press via The Journal News)
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INDUSTRY EXPERTS CITE THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF SPORTS-RELATED TRAVEL
Sports-related travel has fared well during the economic downturn. Compared to other sources of group business, the sports-related market continues to perform strongly. (Travel Daily News)
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TRAVEL CHANNEL PLANS U.S. TRAVEL PROMOTION IN SEPTEMBER
In an effort to spur leisure travel in the United States during the fall and winter months, the U.S. Travel Association is partnering with the Travel Channel to create a week-long primetime promotion encouraging consumers to experience the many destinations the country has to explore. (Leisure Group Travel)
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