MAY 25, 2026

The California gubernatorial race has become the latest testing ground for modern digital campaigning, which in the last ten years has morphed from individual politicians doing stunts to go viral on Facebook to a system of paid outreach to creators in exchange for their support and promotion.

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MAY 20, 2026

Long a force in presidential politics — most recently through its opposition to Donald Trump — the industry is entering the California midterms with a more urgent, self-interested agenda, driven less by celebrity donors and national or international causes than by workers and executives alarmed that California could lose its signature business.

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MAY 20, 2026

U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman has expressed frustration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection's plan to scale back a proposal mandating travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries to provide five years of social media history.

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MAY 18, 2026

Americans are preparing for a busy summer travel season, with younger travelers planning multiple trips and increasingly relying on AI tools to research and book their vacations, according to PwC’s U.S. Consumer Poll on Summer Spending.

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MAY 15, 2026

CalTravel Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy Emellia Zamani joined CalChamber and others to participate in a press conference supporting Senator Anna Caballero at a news conference promoting her bill SB 690 on May 13 at the state Capitol.

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MAY 11, 2026

AAA projected that 45 million Americans traveled at least 50 miles from home for Memorial Day between Thursday, May 21 and Monday, May 25. This year’s domestic travel forecast is slightly higher than last year and sets a new Memorial Day weekend record with 39.1 million people traveling by car and 3.66 million expected to fly to their destinations.

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APRIL 23, 2026

Last week, California’s six leading candidates for governor squared off on the debate stage. It was the first chance for voters to hear from the candidates following former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s exit from the race. Republicans Steve Hilton, a former Fox News commentator, and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco were joined on the Democratic side by former Rep. Katie Porter, billionaire activist Tom Steyer, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.

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APRIL 23, 2026

More than 120 civil society organizations have issued a travel advisory warning of safety risks for fans, players, and journalists attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the U.S. The advisory highlights risks including arrest, deportation, electronic device searches, and violent immigration enforcement, among others. The groups also allege that travelers from immigrant communities, racial and ethnic minority groups, and LGBTQ+ individuals face an outsized risk. 

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APRIL 22, 2026

According to a new report commissioned by Sports Events and Tourism Association (Sports ETA), sports-related travel in the United States generated $111.2 billion in direct economic impact in 2025, with a larger, indirect economic impact of $274.5 billion.

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APRIL 21, 2026

In 2025, travel and tourism spending rose in California, despite a $1 billion decline from international visitors. Statewide, travel spending reached $158.9 billion, a 1.7% increase from $156.2 billion in 2024; but only an 0.8% increase when adjusted for inflation.

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APRIL 21, 2026

According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index's Travel Study 2026, lodging, airlines, car rentals, rideshare, and online travel agencies all are posting gains. Airlines soared 3% to a score of 76—one point off its all-time high in 2024—same as car rentals, rideshare, and online travel agencies, all up 1%. Lodging is slightly ahead, improving 1% to a score of 77.

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APRIL 20, 2026

People are drinking less alcohol these days. For California’s wine country, that means finding ways to expand its tourism appeal beyond the tasting rooms. The destination is evolving from solely a wine mecca to appeal to younger and more diverse travelers who are interested less in alcohol and more in experiences.

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APRIL 16, 2026

The U.S. Travel Association hosted its Destination Capitol Hill event in Washington, DC earlier this month. During the two-day fly-in event, nearly 300 travel and tourism leaders from 49 states met with members of Congress to advocate for key policy changes shaping the future of travel.

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APRIL 10, 2026

California has launched the Salton Sea Conservancy, a new state agency to oversee restoration, manage habitat, and improve air quality at the deteriorating inland lake. The conservancy board will hold its first meeting in La Quinta on May 14, to plan projects to rehabilitate the lake. Those include replanting native vegetation, increasing the flow of fresh water, and creating wildlife habitat along the banks of the Salton Sea.

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APRIL 10, 2026

A mix of geopolitical tensions, rising fuel costs, and an uncertain economic climate may be pushing many American travelers toward closer-to-home destinations. New data shows domestic U.S. hotel and air bookings growing steadily through the first quarter of 2026, outpacing international growth. Interest dropped for several markets in the Middle East, North Africa, and some Europe destinations, while markets like California and New York saw increases.

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APRIL 9, 2026

Senate Bill 1246, authored by Sen. Cortese (D-San Jose), would require robotaxi companies to bolster their labor forces with remote drivers who are based in the U.S. and licensed to drive in California. Representatives of AV companies are pushing back. Sarah Boot, an industry lobbyist, noted that California has already passed regulations that compel the companies to monitor each AV beginning in July and shouldn’t layer on a second system before the first is implemented.

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APRIL 9, 2026

Many small businesses and nonprofits are being hit with costly lawsuits under a wiretapping law—the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA)—written in the 1960s, long before the internet even existed. These lawsuits target businesses simply for using standard website tools that help companies understand customer needs, improve services, and remain competitive in a digital economy. Defending against these lawsuits can cost tens of thousands of dollars or more.

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APRIL 8, 2026

Hotel associations in three World Cup host cities—San Francisco, New York City, and Philadelphia—say they have not seen a surge in demand so far. In recent weeks, FIFA also canceled tens of thousands of reserved rooms in host cities. Last year, FIFA forecasted a $30.5 billion economic boost to the U.S. But just two months out, it’s still unclear if foreign visitors will come in the numbers necessary to drive the promised economic boost.

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APRIL 6, 2026

As international tourism to the United States continues its downward trajectory, many destination leaders, hotels, and resorts are increasingly shifting their attention to wooing domestic travelers. Tyler Gosnell, managing director of international inbound travel for U.S. Travel, has watched the shifting landscape and suggests the current, intense focus on domestic consumers may not prove beneficial over the long term. 

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APRIL 3, 2026

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump proposed to begin privatizing airport security operations handled by the TSA, in an effort to save money. The White House budget proposes cutting funding for the federal agency by $52 million and would require small airports to enroll in a program in ​which TSA pays for private screeners. Cuts to the airport security agency ‌would come ⁠at a critical time for air travel with rising concerns about air safety and staffing shortages.

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APRIL 2, 2026

The Ontario Tower Buzzers, the Los Angeles Dodgers' newest Minor League Baseball team, started their first season with a sold-out crowd at ONT Field. The new $100 million aviation-themed stadium seats 6,000 people and includes a variety of restaurants, club suites, bars, and a team shop. The team's unique name, the Tower Buzzers, references the iconic movie series "Top Gun" and also connects to the city's aviation history.

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MARCH 27, 2026

SKI stands for “Spending Kids Inheritance,” a new trend that’s beginning to reshape how affluent travelers are spending their money on luxury travel. A growing number of people are embracing the “SKI” travel trend, choosing to spend on bucket-list trips and once-in-a-lifetime experiences rather than saving wealth for the next generation. In many cases, this includes the baby boomer generation of travelers picking up the tab for children and grandchildren on vacation.

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MARCH 23, 2026

It’s been 39 days since the partial government shutdown began due to disagreements in Congress over DHS funding. TSA officers are going without pay, and many have quit altogether. As a result, travelers have been facing long lines at airports and missing flights. And it seems there’s no relief in sight: Congress will be out on break for the first two weeks of April. To assist with airport security, the Trump Administration has ordered ICE agents to 14 airports across the nation.

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MARCH 20, 2026

According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association, labor shortages remain a major pain point for American hoteliers. Staffing hotels and maintaining service levels will only grow more important during upcoming mega events such as the FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. AHLA believes those events can live up to the hype, provided the U.S. government is thoughtful about maximizing international demand.

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MARCH 19, 2026

An unprecedented March heat wave that smashed nearly two dozen records for daily high temperatures hasn’t boded well for ski resorts in Northern California. Several have already declared an early end to the season. The hot weather also doesn’t bode well for California’s snowpack. A large, slow-melting snowpack helps fill reservoirs, mitigate fire danger, and keep California out of a drought.

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