DECEMBER 21, 2025
Since the California didn’t back its pandemic unemployment debt within two years, federal law requires the state's employers to step in. Next year, each employer—regardless of the number of employees they have and whether they are part- or full-time—will pay an extra $42 dollars per employee on their payroll taxes because of the debt. That number increases to $63 per employee in 2027 and continues to increase another $21 every year until the debt is paid.
Read MoreDECEMBER 21, 2025
AAA estimates 122.4 million Americans will travel away from home this holiday period—a 2.2% increase from last year. If the forecast holds, it would mark yet another record-breaking year for holiday travel. An estimated 8 million travelers will fly this season while another 109.5 million people will drive to their destinations. Domestic round-trip airfare is averaging about $900—about a 7% increase from last year.
Read MoreDECEMBER 18, 2025
A U.S. House of Representatives committee voted unanimously to approve legislation aiming to prevent aviation disruptions during government shutdowns by ensuring air traffic controllers and other key workers are paid. Major airlines strongly backed the air traffic control pay legislation, noting that the 43-day U.S. government shutdown and government-imposed flight cuts disrupted 6 million passengers and 50,000 flights due to rising air traffic controller absences.
Read MoreDECEMBER 18, 2025
U.S. hotels in and around host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are experiencing a strong YOY rise in booking volumes and ADR. Data through Dec. 12—a week after the World Cup draw—shows forward hotel booking volumes more than doubling around several high-profile fixtures, when compared to bookings for the same period last year. This is accompanied by increases in ADR, particularly for the week of the World Cup final.
Read MoreDECEMBER 16, 2025
FAA head Bryan Bedford said the agency is committing $6 billion by year-end on air traffic control telecom infrastructure and radar surveillance systems that will be deployed by the end of 2028. The FAA is compressing radar and telecom modernization into a three-year timeline. Congress approved funding after decades of complaints over airport congestion, technology failures, and flight delays.
Read MoreDECEMBER 15, 2025
The concept of “sleep tourism”—a wellness trend where the primary reason for an overnight stay is to get a good night’s sleep—has emerged in hotels throughout California. Hotels and resorts are now curating experiences that not only promote achieving the pinnacle of seven hours of sleep, but also encourage better sleep hygiene through specialty amenities such as pillow menus, spa treatments, sleep-regulating mattresses, and more.
Read MoreDECEMBER 15, 2025
For Los Angeles, 2025 began with two devastating wildfires that ignited on January 7. Now, 11 months later, recovery is still underway. Most major attractions across Los Angeles are now back in business. That includes the city’s leading museums; beaches like Santa Monica, Venice, and Malibu; and vibrant neighborhoods including Downtown L.A., Silver Lake, Chinatown, Koreatown, and the Valley.
Read MoreDECEMBER 12, 2025
European travelers are popping up in smaller—and often more affordable—U.S. states like Tennessee, Montana, and Idaho. But the trend varies by destination. The nation's capital of Washington D.C., New York, and California are seeing fewer visitors, while Tennessee, home to Elvis Presley's Graceland estate, has welcomed 24% more visitors from Western Europe. Part of the equation is cost, as European travelers tend to be more cost-sensitive than Americans.
Read MoreDECEMBER 8, 2025
A new poll by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) found that three in four Californians expect mostly periods of higher unemployment or economic weakness in the country during the next five years. When asked about the most pressing issue facing California, residents pointed to the cost of living, the economy and inflation, followed by housing costs and availability. Californians are also showing dissatisfaction with federal leaders and their policies.
Read MoreDECEMBER 8, 2025
More students are heading to a California State University this year. CSU reports more than 471,000 students enrolled for fall 2025—a 2% jump and the biggest year-over-year increase in a decade. It also marks the second consecutive year of enrollment gains after two years of post-pandemic declines. CSU said most campuses, 19 of 22, saw gains as they continue efforts to improve access and streamline admissions.
Read MoreDECEMBER 6, 2025
Between the Bay Area and Los Angeles, California will play host to 14 total World Cup matches—six at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara and eight at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Each site will host five matches in the group stage and at least one match in round 32. The Golden State is set to welcome teams from Algeria, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Iran, Jordan, New Zealand, Paraguay, Qatar, Switzerland, and the United States, among other playoff qualifiers.
Read MoreDECEMBER 5, 2025
New data released by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) points to the more sustainable growth of the U.S. travel and tourism industry with greenhouse gas emissions continuing to decline as the industry grows. While travel’s GDP increased 1.8% per year between 2019 and 2024, emissions declined by 1.7%, indicating a positive shift in the industry towards increased sustainability.
Read MoreDECEMBER 5, 2025
The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) reported that 90% of members plan to utilize travel advisors in 2026, and 78% say the role of advisors will be very important to their business strategy next year. The majority (94%) of members surveyed expect business booked through advisors to increase or hold steady, underscoring the continued value of the advisor community.
Read MoreDECEMBER 4, 2025
Voting on Visit California’s marketing renewal is officially open now through December 31. This year, travel businesses that invest in Visit California have the opportunity to vote to continue the program through 2031. Accommodations, attractions, restaurants, retail, transportation, travel services, and rental car businesses that are current on their California tourism assessments are eligible to vote. Eligible voters may cast their votes by mail or online.
Read MoreDECEMBER 4, 2025
According to the Staffing Agency’s recently released “Hospitality Labor Report,” the hospitality industry has more workers than ever recorded, but turnover remains at crisis levels. Restaurants and hotels now report annual turnover rates of 70% to 80%, while quick-service restaurants often exceed 100%. The report notes that recruitment timelines have slowed, and retention is now the single strongest driver of service quality.
Read MoreNOVEMBER 27, 2025
Route 66’s 100th anniversary is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious tourism efforts in recent memory. In California, desert towns such as Barstow and Needles are restoring pre-war motor inns and neon signs, while Los Angeles is planning exhibitions tied to the road’s cinematic history. Santa Monica is expected to host a centennial-year finale at the pier, marking the symbolic end of America’s most storied highway.
Read MoreNOVEMBER 26, 2025
Beginning January 1, an annual National Parks pass will cost $250 for nonresidents compared to $80 for U.S. residents. International visitors without an annual pass will need to pay a $100-per-person surcharge at 11 of the most visited national parks, including Yosemite. According to the Interior Department, revenue generated from the new fees will support upgrades to visitor facilities, park maintenance, and service improvements.
Read MoreNOVEMBER 24, 2025
AAA projects 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home between November 25 and December 1, setting a new record for domestic Thanksgiving travel. The FAA says this will be the busiest Thanksgiving travel period in 15 years. Roads will be even busier. Nearly 90% of travelers, or at least 73 million, are expected to hit the road—an increase of about 1.3 million drivers compared to last year.
Read MoreNOVEMBER 20, 2025
The San Francisco 49ers and the San Francisco Travel Association have launched a multi-year global partnership designed to leverage the 49ers brand and fanbase to drive visitors to San Francisco. The deal calls for joint international marketing efforts that will focus on Mexico and the U.K., including joint campaigns, co-branded activations, official 49ers events, international sweepstakes, and prominent visibility at Levi’s Stadium.
Read MoreNOVEMBER 20, 2025
California’s landmark 2024 reforms to the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) are already showing positive results for employers and employees, according to a new report released by four of the leading employment law firms in California. Eighteen months after implementation, firms report faster settlements, narrower lawsuits, and greater collaboration between employers and employees.
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