Tourism

Hainan Airlines now offering the only non-stop flight between the Northwest and China

June 9, 2008 -- SEA-TAC – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today helped greet passengers arriving on Hainan Airlines’ new direct passenger flight between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Beijing, and proclaimed today, “Hainan Airlines’ Day,” in Washington.

Hainan’s new flight is the first non-stop commercial flight between the Washington state and China since 1997. “This new direct flight is great economic news for Washington,” Gregoire stated during the celebration. “It comes at a time when other parts of the nation are facing a struggling economy, and airlines are being impacted by high fuel prices and even consolidating or limiting existing flights.”    » read more »

Date for Meeting Goal Moved Up to 2012 from 2015 after Unprecedented Tourism Gains

June 3, 2008 -- New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced that New York City is on track to achieve its goal of attracting 50 million annual visitors three years earlier than anticipated.

Manhattan, New York City: Photo by Kevin Labianco (CC)

Since Mayor Bloomberg set the goal of ’50 by 15’ in 2006, New York City has welcomed more visitors than anticipated, including a record 46 million in 2007.    » read more »

Northwest Airlines to add daily non-stops to Beijing and London

May 8, 2008 -- SEATTLE – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire joined representatives from Northwest Airlines and the Port of Seattle in announcing two new international air routes from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Beijing and London.

NWA jet landing: Photo by Travis Church (CC)    » read more »

May 7, 2008 -- CHIHUAHUA CITY - New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson traveled to Mexico today to deal with a number of economic development, tourism, border health, education and security issues. Tourism Secretary Mike Cerletti, Economic Development Secretary Mondragon, Health Secretary Alfredo Vigil and State Police Chief Faron Segotta accompanied the Governor.

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson: Photo by Mike Disharoon (CC)

Governor Richardson met with the Governor of Chihuahua, Jose Reyes Baeza to sign 4 Memos of Understanding between the State of New Mexico and the State of Chihuahua.

A brief description of each MOU follows:    » read more »

Announces Historic Investment in Marketing Michigan

April 18, 2008 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed into law a package of bills establishing the Michigan Promotion Program, an aggressive $60 million marketing push to boost the state's tourism and business attraction efforts.

Mackinac Bridge, Michigan: Photo by Steve Prakope (CC)

The initiative - passed with overwhelming bipartisan support - is part of an overall job creation and economic stimulus package proposed by the governor in her State of the State address earlier this year.    » read more »

April 17, 2008 -- ORANGE COUNTY -- California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the arrest of an Orange County travel agent who sold more than $160,000 in “bogus travel packages” to senior citizens who wanted to visit Cuba for religious and cultural purposes.

Remedios church, Cuba: Photo by Fabio Bretto (CC)

“The suspect allegedly ripped off dozens of senior citizens who wanted to travel to Cuba for religious and cultural purposes,” Attorney General Brown said. “Peddling these bogus travel packages has earned Mr. Rendon a trip to court to face criminal charges,” Brown added.    » read more »

Cheyenne, Wyoming - In two separate meetings with Chinese officials in Beijing today, Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal discussed future opportunities in tourism, energy and in particular, coal bed methane development.

“I thank both officials for their gracious reception and am encouraged by the substantive nature of the discussions,” Freudenthal said.

Coalbed methane discharge point: Photo by USGS    » read more »

Parks Capital Plan Will Increase Tourism, Enhance Communities

April 6, 2008 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that the Enacted Budget includes $95 million in funding to implement much-needed improvements at state parks across New York – the largest-ever commitment of resources for parks capital projects in state history.

Quaker Lake, Allegany State Park, New York: Photo by George McV (CC)    » read more »

04/04/2008 -- The letter below signed by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle was delivered to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff today regarding the proposed federal rulemaking by the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection. If instituted, this rule could negatively impact the $17 billion cruise industry in Hawaii, California and across the nation.

A cruise liner in Kahalui Harbor, Maui: Photo by Alan L (CC)    » read more »

April 01, 2008 -- RHINELANDER – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today signed a bill into law that creates clear and fair pier regulations.

“People come from all over the world to Wisconsin year after year to enjoy our great state, and our beautiful lakes and rivers are second to none,” Governor Doyle said. “We need to preserve the experience of our lakes, so families can continue to enjoy summer days in Northern Wisconsin as I did with my family. This bill creates clear and fair rules for property and business owners across the state, to ensure residents and tourists will be able to enjoy our waterfronts for years to come.”    » read more »

30 March 2008 -- Passport-free travel in Europe has expanded further as border checks at airports in nine mainly former Communist countries have disappeared. Sunday's move allows 400 million people unlimited travel in what is known as the "Schengen zone."

Starting Sunday, citizens of Europe's 24-country "Schengen zone" are no longer required to undergo passport checks at airports in Malta and eight other European Union countries that joined the EU in 2004. Among them are ex-communist Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.    » read more »

March 28, 2008 -- FRANKFORT, KY – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear announced that he will sign Senate Bill 196 which today passed the Senate unopposed. The “Adventure Tourism Bill,” sponsored by Sen. Brandon Smith (R-Hazard), allows the state to enter into agreements with private property owners for the use of land for recreational activities such as horseback riding, hiking, fishing, hunting and motorized vehicle use. Under the current law, property owners face liability issues if they allow the public to use their land.    » read more »

March 17, 2008 -- U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff signed today Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with Slovak Minister of the Interior Robert Kaliňák, Hungarian Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi and Lithuanian Ambassador Audrius Brūzga. The security enhancements outlined in the agreements put all three countries on track for visa-free travel to the U.S., and potential designation as VWP members later this year.    » read more »

Switzerland, Austria and Germany still top the rankings

Geneva, Switzerland, 4 March 2008 – Switzerland, Austria and Germany have the most attractive environments for developing the travel and tourism industry, according to the second annual Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2008, released today by the World Economic Forum. Australia, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Sweden, Canada and France complete the top-10 list.    » read more »

March 3, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and Yukon Territory Premier Dennis Fentie last Friday renewed the Alaska-Yukon Intergovernmental Accord.

“This accord provides a framework for the governments of Alaska and Yukon to continue working cooperatively on tourism, transportation and trade and commerce initiatives,” Governor Palin said. “We have also included climate change, wildlife management, economic development and infrastructure in the accord as additional key areas of opportunity.”    » read more »