CalTravel

News Highlights

U.S. Unveils National Tourism Strategy Seeking 100 Million Visitors by 2021
U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary John Bryson and U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar unveiled the Obama administration's National Tourism and Travel Strategy (more)

National Travel & Tourism Week
There's still time to participate in next week's National Travel & Tourism Week activities and U.S. Travel Rally Day on May 8, and there are good reasons to make the effort. (more)

GSA's lavish meeting brings congressional wrath
Meeting planners were afraid this would happen. And it did. The US Congress in the wake of the GSA (General Services Administration)'s much-condemned lavish meeting has voted to cut and freeze travel spending by government agencies for five years and other oversight measures. (more)

WTTC Reports Travel & Tourism Now Larger Than Auto Manufacturing
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), at its 12th Global Summit in Tokyo, said new figures show that the global travel and tourism industry is now double the size of automotive manufacturing and roughly one-third larger than chemicals manufacturing. (more)

Penguin Cam Goes Live
Following the success of Discovery Channel's Shark Cam and in anticipation of the U.S. premiere of FROZEN PLANET, Discovery Channel and SeaWorld have launched Penguin Cam - a live online experience from SeaWorld San Diego's Penguin Encounter attraction featuring more than 300 penguins representing five species, all of which are featured in the Discovery series. (more)

Awards given for excellence in travel industry marketing.
SONOMA COUNTY, CALIF. - Sonoma County Tourism Bureau received two gold Adrian Awards from Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) for achievements in marketing and public relations. (more)

Napolitano Proposes Making U.S. Global Entry Program Permanent
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano has published a rule that would make Global Entry a permanent program. Right now, Global Entry is a voluntary U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initiative that lets pre-approved travelers expedite their trips through airport security. (more)

STOCK Act passes Senate
Last night the United States Senate approved the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012 (better known as the STOCK Act) by a vote of 96-3. (more)

Marriott, Disney and Best Western Make Multimillion Dollar "Investment in Job Creation and Economic Growth for America"
Brand USA, the national marketing entity charged with promoting the U.S. to international travelers, announced today that Marriott International, the Walt Disney Company and Best Western International have each committed to investing $1 million in cash - along with in-kind commitments. (more)

Simple solution to US economic woes: more international tourists
International tourists are coming to the US in record numbers, prompting some observers to say they are the solution to the continuing economic crisis. Typical reaction is an Atlantic article headlined "How Tourism Can Help Save the US Economy." (more)

Universal Studios Hollywood to Add Harry Potter Attraction
Universal Parks and Resorts has confirmed that it has signed a deal with Warner Brothers Studios to develop "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" at Universal Studios Hollywood (USH). (more)

In California, Asking Voters to Raise Taxes
For 33 years, since the passage of Proposition 13 slashed property taxes in this state, California has been on the leading edge of the tax cut movement that has spread across the nation. But faced with the prospect of withering budget cuts and deficits that stretch through at least the middle of the decade, that may be about to change. (more)

Made in America: Visa Process Slows Down Tourism
In the decade between 2000 and 2010, the number of foreign overseas tourists travelling the world grew by an astounding 60 million. You would think the numbers would grow in the United States as well, but they haven't. Ten years ago 26 million overseas visitors visited the U.S. In 2010, 26.4 million, according to the U.S. Travel Association, a trade group. That's hardly any growth at all. (more)

Made in America: Visa Process Slows Down Tourism
In the decade between 2000 and 2010, the number of foreign overseas tourists travelling the world grew by an astounding 60 million. You would think the numbers would grow in the United States as well, but they haven't. Ten years ago 26 million overseas visitors visited the U.S. In 2010, 26.4 million, according to the U.S. Travel Association, a trade group. That's hardly any growth at all. (more)

DISCOVER HOLLYWOOD Magazine Celebrates 25 Years
Oscar and Nyla Arslanian, publisher and editor of DISCOVER HOLLYWOOD Magazine are to be honored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce with the 2011 Hollywood Star Award at the annual Entertainment Industry Luncheon on November 16. The Hollywood Star Award is presented to people in the entertainment industry who have made a real contribution to Hollywood and to the industry. The Arslanians have been active in the Hollywood business and arts community for 30 years. (more)

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2012 CalTravel Conference
	Register for CTS NOW & Save! 30th Annual Conference California Travel Summit June 4-6, 2012 Sacramento, CA Sheraton Grand Hotel 1230 J Street Sacramento, California 95814 (916) 447-1700 Book Your Room Now $134 single/double (plus tax)

Program & Session Updates - Latest information posted every friday.

CTS Sponsorships
Interested in 2012 Sponsorship Contact Lisa Gaynes

Sponsor Kit - Vendor Registration - Sponsor Form

Our 2011 Sponsors

The California Travel Association (CalTravel) is California’s only statewide organization representing the “collective” voice of advocacy for Travel, Tourism & Hospitality. Our goal is simple, yet valuable for every business or organization that derives revenues from tourists, local markets or business travelers — “Protect and insure the interests of tourism & hospitality businesses and provide meaningful benefits to the membership”. If you are employed by, or aligned with a business or organization that invests in any promotional effort to stimulate and attract business travelers, vacationers or local residents to your business, we encourage you to get involved with CalTravel. Our mission is to insure your investment through advocacy, education and collaboration.

ADVOCACY
CalTravel with our advocacy partner, Political Solutions of Sacramento, is the unified voice for the California travel industry’s political and legislative concerns. We actively and consistently address issues that affect all areas of California’s tourism industry. CalTravel’s “collective voice” of 900K jobs in travel/tourism and hospitality, enhances and leverages the roles of other advocacy organizations.

Legislative Scorecard

COLLABORATION
California Travel Association (CalTravel) provides its members benefits by partnering with other travel industry organizations such as California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC), California Hotel and Lodging Association (CHLA),California Lodging Industry Association (CLIA), California Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (CalARVC), California Attractions and Parks Association (CAPA), the California Ski Industry Association (CSIA) and others. We provide a variety of forums for engaging with colleagues, and encourage you to join committees and attend board meetings for networking opportunities throughout the year.

New for 2011…Webinars…a free program exclusively for our members.
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EDUCATION
CalTravel’s annual signature event, California Travel Summit (CTS) is the state’s premier educational and networking event for travel, tourism and hospitality professionals. Our members receive discounted registration for CTS. In addition, discounts are available to our members for regional education activities produced by our partnering members.

California Travel Summit

President/CEO J Severini testifies on behalf of Travel & Tourism at Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism & Internet Media Oversight Hearing chaired by the Honorable Nora Campos- September 23, 2011. (more)

2012 CTS Official "Transportation Partner"