Travel industry warns of impact of state AI pricing bills
FEBRUARY 17, 2026
Travel Technology Association is urging policymakers to evaluate how state “price surveillance” bills could raise operating costs for travel companies and prices for travelers. Nearly 20 states, including California, have introduced such proposals, creating legal uncertainty due to the broad, conflicting state-level rules. Companies operating across multiple states could face incompatible compliance obligations, making it harder to innovate and serve travelers effectively.
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World Cup to boost North American travel, economy
FEBRUARY 16, 2026
This summer, approximately 1.3 million international visitors will descend on the U.S., Mexico, and Canada for the World Cup, staying an average of 12 days and spending close to $7.5 billion. FIFA and the World Trade Organization estimate that in the U.S. alone, where 78 of the 104 matches will be played, economic output will exceed $30 billion. The matches represent a massive opportunity, both for host cities and the surrounding destinations that can expect spillover.
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L.A. announces community engagement plans for World Cup
FEBRUARY 5, 2026
As Los Angeles prepares to host eight World Cup matches this summer, the Los Angeles Host Committee has announced community engagement plans designed to bring excitement to neighborhoods across the region and create opportunities for global soccer fans to come together and celebrate. The plans include FIFA Fan Festival at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Fan Zones across the region, a 39-day Fan Experience Guide, and more.
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Flight cancellations, delays continue at U.S. Airports after winter storm
JANUARY 27, 2026
Winter Storm Fern may be over, but airports across affected portions of the United States are still battling massive snow piles and ice that is melting slow due to low temperatures. 1,407 flights within, into, or out of the U.S. have been canceled today, while another 907 have been delayed. On Monday, 6,261 flights were canceled and 7,912 were delayed. The issues started on Sunday, as 11,599 flights were canceled and 5,866 were delayed.
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Port of Los Angeles announces plans for new cruise terminal
JANUARY 23, 2026
The Port of Los Angeles is making plans to build a bigger, smarter, and more sustainable future as the cruise industry flourishes. With more growth on the horizon, and the port expected to be featured in the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics, it’s time to improve infrastructure and expand. Plans are now underway to transform the port’s Outer Harbor into a new, state-of-the-art cruise center, which will allow the port to welcome more and bigger vessels.
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How California’s political bottleneck is scrambling Democratic careers
JANUARY 23, 2026
California Democrats are chasing power wherever they can find it. Longshot contenders are abandoning marquee races in favor of less competitive contests, while House members and their opponents are changing districts so often this cycle that it’s hard for even insiders to keep track of who’s running where. It’s a scramble for office—any office—set into overdrive by a confluence of forces in the run-up to the midterms.
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Solo travel gains popularity among Gen Z, millennials
JANUARY 21, 2026
Solo trips are on the rise, with search interest peaking in July 2025 as more people plan travel on their own terms. About 76% of Gen Z and millennial travelers intended to take a solo trip in the same year. Short breaks lead the way, with 56% of solo travelers favoring quick weekend getaways instead of long-haul trips. The motivation to travel solo centers on autonomy. Many travelers want to see more places without waiting for others’ schedules.
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LA28 ticket draw breaks records in first 24 hours
JANUARY 16, 2026
More than 1.5 million registrations were made in the first 24 hours of registration for the LA28 Ticket Draw—more than Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024, and Milan-Cortina 2026 combined. Those early registrations were made by fans from more than 150 countries around the world. With more than two years still to go until LA28, this was the earliest registration period to date. Registration for the draw is the first step for a chance to secure a time slot to purchase tickets in April.
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California’s Highway 1 fully reopens earlier than expected
JANUARY 16, 2026
The stretch of Highway 1, which hugs the Pacific Ocean, reopened to the public earlier this month. The section of road has been affected by landslides since 2023 and was initially expected to reopen in March. The closure marked the longest to date, and resulted in an estimated $438 million in lost visitor spending. Following the reopening, Gov. Gavin Newsom said it would bring much-needed relief to small businesses and families in the region.
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West Coast’s largest waterfront music venue underway in Long Beach
JANUARY 15, 2026
Earlier this month, developers broke ground on the $21 million, 11,000-seat Long Beach Amphitheater, an outdoor venue near the iconic Queen Mary ship in downtown Long Beach. The push to develop the amphitheater has been underway since 2015. The effort aligns with the city’s role in the 2028 Olympics, which will have five venues in Long Beach. Backers say the venue will be the largest waterfront amphitheater on the West Coast.
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Visit California’s Caroline Beteta announces retirement
JANUARY 15, 2026
Visit California has announced that longtime President & CEO Caroline Beteta will retire from her role in September 2026, concluding three decades of transformative leadership building California’s tourism economy and global brand. Visit California’s Board of Directors has retained SearchWide Global to conduct a global search for Beteta’s successor. In the meantime, she will remain fully engaged in day-to-day operations.
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California approves $37.6M to fund undersea fiber connectivity to Catalina Island
JANUARY 12, 2026
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved $37.6 million in funding to build an undersea fiber connection between Huntington Beach and Avalon on Catalina Island. The new submarine fiber line will provide reliable, redundant broadband and cellular connectivity for residents, visitors, businesses, and critical services, including emergency response, hospital operations, and basic telephone service.
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Newsom forecasts a rosier California budget than anticipated
JANUARY 12, 2026
Governor Newsom’s $349 billion budget proposal projects a “modest shortfall” of $2.9 billion, down sharply from the $18 billion deficit projected by the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office in November. The budget also projects $9 billion more in revenue than originally anticipated, banking on the AI-driven economy to last. But the projected deficit could balloon to $22 billion in fiscal year 2027-28, a problem the governor will address in an updated fiscal forecast in May.
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Travelers seek dog-first accommodations
JANUARY 8, 2026
According to American Pet Products Association (APPA), 88% of pet owners have traveled with their dogs in the past year. As a result, an increased number of travelers are seeking pet-friendly experiences to share their travels with their dogs, rather than leaving them behind. BARK Air’s 2026 State of Pet Travel Report showed that 94% of travelers are willing to forgo traditional amenities, like a hotel bar, for a stay that properly welcomes their pet.
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Santa Clara prepares for Super Bowl LX
JANUARY 8, 2026
For Santa Clara, Super Bowl LX on February 8 will be a repeat experience after hosting Super Bowl 50 ten years ago. It’s yet another opportunity to take advantage of Levi’s Stadium and the hordes of fans that will flock to the destination for the championship game. And with the FIFA World Cup coming to the same venue this summer, the NFL showcase could be a precursor of the opportunity ahead.
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Visit California marketing renewal passes with record turnout
JANUARY 8, 2026
Visit California’s marketing renewal has passed with 98.3% approval. This record-setting approval rate is a clear mandate from the industry, underscored by a 76.6% vote turnout—the highest in Visit California’s history. All 12 tourism regions overwhelmingly voted to continue Visit California’s industry-led marketing programs, and that support extended across every major segment of the industry.
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3 big changes for America’s national parks in 2026
JANUARY 7, 2026
2026 is not going to be like other years at national parks. Not only will they mark America's 250th anniversary with a year full of commemorative events, but there will also be several major changes for visitors. There will more free entry dates, known as “patriotic fee-free days.” Nonresidents without an annual pass will be charged $100 per person to enter 11 of the most visited national parks. Digital America the Beautiful passes have been rolled out for annual passholders.
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New California law aims to help struggling wine industry
JANUARY 7, 2026
The wine industry is finally catching a break amid multi-year sales and tourism slumps with a new California law—Assembly Bill 720 (AB 720)—that legalizes tastings and events in vineyards. The law grants California growers who also make wine the ability to host up to 36 annual tasting events at their estate vineyards. Previously, wineries could only pour and sell wines at licensed tasting rooms or bonded wineries, both of which many small wineries can't afford.
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California businesses continue to shoulder state’s $20 billion debt to the feds
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.
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AAA predicts 122.4 million Americans will travel for Christmas
DECEMBER 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.
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