THE TIME IS NOW FOR GOLF LOVERS AT LAKE TAHOE
The golf season is short all around Lake Tahoe, which provides the golf nut a fine excuse to play 36 holes in a day: Do it now to make up for all the golf one cannot play with the snow falling in December. (San Francisco Chronicle)      
Back To Top | Read More >>

PALM SPRINGS
Palm Springs had been known for years as a golf course-studded retirement mecca, invaded annually by hordes of libidinous college kids on spring break. Well, the city of Palm Springs has been quietly changing its image and attracting a whole new crowd. (KPTM 42 News)
Back To Top | Read More >>

ARCHITECTURE REVIEW: MADAME TUSSAUDS IN HOLLYWOOD
For an architect, designing a tourist attraction can be a thankless task. Michael Rotondi and John Ash, lead architects of the new Hollywood branch of Madame Tussauds wax museum, which opened Aug. 1, understand the challenge of playing to that distracted crowd as well as anyone. (Los Angeles Times)
Back To Top | Read More >>

STATE FARMERS PROFIT FROM AGRITOURISM
Survey shows that California farmers and ranchers hosted more than 2.4 million agricultural tourists in 2008, according to early results from California's first statewide economic survey of agritourism operators. (California Farmer)
Back To Top | Read More >>

OUTDOOR CONCERTS ADD TO YOSEMITE’S NATURAL ATTRACTIONS
Country inns and lodgings of all kinds are working overtime nowadays coming up with marketing ideas to call more attention to their offerings, but one combination in particular really caught our eye: outdoor concerts at a historic inn just a half hour from one of the nation’s premiere national parks, Yosemite. (Ventura County Star)
Back To Top | Read More >>

UNIQUE TRAVEL 101: SCANNING THE L.A. CULINARY HORIZON FOR…EXOTIC DONUTS
In my first LA Unique Travel article, I made a brief mention of Randy's Donuts shop in Inglewood. It's known first as an icon of roadside architecture and second for offering a popular, if traditional, selection of donuts. I didn't expect to be writing about donuts in Los Angeles again so soon. (San Francisco Examiner)
Back To Top | Read More >>

U.S. TRAVEL APPLAUDS SENATE COMMITMENT TO VOTE ON TRAVEL PROMOTION ACT
The U.S. Travel Association today applauded U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for their leadership and agreement to move the Travel Promotion Act (S. 1023) as the first order of business following the Senate’s August recess. The legislation will deliver $4 billion in new spending annually to the economy by attracting millions of additional international visitors to the United States. (Hotel Interactive)
Back To Top | Read More >>

WELL-PLANNED MEETINGS CAN SUCCEED—EVEN IN VEGAS
Whether it be Las Vegas, Orlando, Milwaukee or Missoula, when determining where an event should be held, a corporation or government agency should always choose the most cost-effective location – the area and venue that will provide the most return on investment. (Federal Times)
Back To Top | Read More >>

AIRLINES, HOTELS STRUGGLE AS BUSINESS TRAVEL PLUMMETS
Despite signs that the country's economic free fall may be bottoming out, demand for business travel continues to plummet, putting airlines and hotels in financial straits. As businesses continue to tighten spending practices, corporate travel is projected to drop by 15 percent this year compared with 2008, while overall travel demand could decline by 11 percent, according to a study by PhoCusWright. (Los Angeles Times)
Back To Top | Read More >>

AIRLINES, TRAVELERS PREPARE FOR MORE STRINGENT ID RULES
The Transportation Security Administration wants to know more about who's boarding commercial flights in the United States. Beginning Saturday, the federal agency will begin collecting additional data from airline passengers at booking time, including full name, date of birth and gender. That data must match whatever is on the form of government-issued identification – driver's licenses and passports are the most common – that a passenger uses to check in and board the flight. (Detroit News)
Back To Top | Read More >>

FINDING TRAVEL DEALS COULD TAKE SOME HUNTING THIS FALL
Fall is a good time for frugal travelers: Airfare is generallycheaper and the weather is still balmy in many places. But vacationers looking for deep fare discounts this autumn may be disappointed. (Boston Globe)
Back To Top | Read More >>