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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MARCH 18, 2026

Chicago’s already sky-high hotel tax will climb to 19%—the highest in the nation—to help market the city to convention organizers and tourists. The tax is expected to generate more than $50 million a year to sell Chicago and double a marketing budget that pales in comparison to other cities, including Las Vegas, Orlando, Los Angeles, San Diego, and New York City. Revenue would be used to market the city, bankroll incentives, and cover bid fees.

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MARCH 12, 2026

Silicon Valley billionaires are proposing a multi-million-dollar fund to ramp up a political machine to represent the uber rich and the tech elite. The fund would give the tech billionaire class a means of countering the interests of labor unions, progressive groups, and other groups that currently influence politics in the Golden State. Organizers of the effort are reportedly seeking $100 million this year in the hopes of reaching between $500 million and $1 billion in the next few years.

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MARCH 11, 2026

FIFA has slashed more than $100 million from its operating budget for this summer's World Cup. Cuts to the operating ​budget include areas of safety, logistics, security, and accessibility. The U.S. Congress previously allocated $625 million from the federal ​government to help venues ​with security ⁠costs; however, those funds have not yet been distributed due to a partial government shutdown that is impacting ​the Department of Homeland Security.

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MARCH 5, 2026

For more than two decades, Oregon state law has required most of the proceeds of transient lodging taxes go toward attracting more tourists, while cities have argued for more flexibility. But the Oregon Legislature has landed on the side of local governments, passing a bill to reduce the share of transient lodging tax that must be used for tourism promotion or tourism-related facilities from 70% to 50% and let cities and counties use up to half the proceeds for services.

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FEBRUARY 22, 2026

On Saturday, Eight of the nine Democrats vying for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s seat made their pitch at the California Democratic Party convention in San Francisco. No candidate at the convention expected to earn the party’s endorsement, which requires the support of 60% of the 3,500 delegates. Rep. Eric Swalwell led the delegates with 24%, with former state Controller Betty Yee and former state Attorney General Xavier Becerra coming in a surprising second and third.

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FEBRUARY 22, 2026

On Sunday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) walked back its decision to suspend the TSA’s PreCheck program, after initially sparking confusion for travelers when it said it was temporarily halting the popular service. Earlier in the day, DHS said that PreCheck, along with the Global Entry program, would shut down at 6 a.m. ET amid a partial government shutdown affecting only DHS. U.S. Travel applauded the decision to keep PreCheck operational and avoid a crisis.

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FEBRUARY 20, 2026

Last week, the Sierra Nevada mountains were hit by one of the biggest storms in decades, with some areas seeing more than 10 feet of new snow. UC Berkeley's Central Sierra Snow Laboratory tallied 111 inches of snowfall during the course of the week, making for the snowiest five-day stretch in over 40 years. Sugar Bowl Ski Resort reported a weekly total of 111 inches, while the storm brought 124 inches of snow to the upper mountain at Palisades Tahoe.

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FEBRUARY 18, 2026

The National Park Service has announced that visitors to Yosemite will not need reservations to access the park in 2026. The decision to eliminate the timed reservation system comes after a comprehensive evaluation of traffic patterns, parking availability, and visitor use during the 2025 season. The park will utilize real-time traffic monitoring, parking management, and extra staffing at key intersections to keep traffic flowing through the park.

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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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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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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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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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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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