ANAHEIM, CA—At International Pow Wow, the Travel Industry Association's tourism trade show, 4,600 attendees networked and learned about hotel openings, infrastructure improvements and other news. But being an international show, there was a focus on how to overcome the dip in international visitors this country has been experiencing. 
The top concerns voiced by attendees were U.S. visa
policy and delays for visitors at customs and immigration. Roger Dow, the TIA's
president and CEO, said that the TIA and the Discover America coalition have
been working with Congress and the Bush administration to find a "balance
between security and ease of travel." He said that Discover America has
petitioned Congress to expand the visa waiver program and modernize airports,
and that the Senate has already authorized hiring at least 200 additional
customs officials.
In his keynote speech, Matthew Hart, president and COO of
Hilton Hotel Corp., suggested that the U.S. needs to make itself more
welcoming to international travelers. "Loyalty comes about when people
feel welcome and appreciated," Hart said. He went on to predict a global
tourism boom due to changing demographics, market-based economics and low
airfares, among other factors. However, the U.S. has its work cut out for it,
he stressed, saying that slow visa processing and "slow-as-molasses
security" are preventing many international visitors from feeling welcome.
He added, "The hunger to extend and receive human kindness is not a fad."
News From LAX, Hilton, Universal
Coincidentally, processing renovations are underway at Los AngelesInternationalAirport's
international terminal. The renovation of the Tom Bradley International
Terminal broke ground in February and is expected to be complete by March
2010. The $723.5 million project calls for the installation of an in-line
checked baggage security system and a second boarding gate to accommodate large
aircraft.
Meanwhile, Hilton's Hart also discussed the
groundbreaking of The Waldorf=Astoria at Bonnet
Creek and the Hilton Bonnet Creek Hotel, part of a resort development adjacent
to the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando,
FL. The total cost of the project
will exceed $500 million, and the opening is scheduled for late 2009. Hart also
mentioned the opening of the Homewood Suites by Hilton in Agoura
Hills, CA, one of 180 Homewood
Suites by Hilton nationwide, as well as new properties debuting in Stuttgart, Florence, and in
the RomeInternationalAirport,
where Hilton's 300th hotel will open.
Universal Parks & Resorts announced a Simpsons
ride that will feature Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson and will
open both at the Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood in
spring 2008.
A Las Vegas Update
At the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority's
press conference, Rossi Ralenkotter, LVCVA's president and CEO, announced that
Las Vegas would have 170,000 rooms by 2009, and that the company's goal is to
welcome 43 million visitors in that year. Highlights of upcoming openings
include Sands' Palazzo (adjacent to the Venetian) in 2007; the Trump
International Tower and Encore at Wynn in 2008; the Cosmopolitan Resort &
Casino and the MGM Mirage's $7.4 billion Project CityCenter (formerly the
Dunes) in 2009; and Echelon Resort (formerly the Stardust) in 2010. He also
announced the planned $800 million renovation of the Las Vegas Convention
Center.
