The San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau has announced that the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park, SeaWorld and Legoland reopened after weather conditions improved in southern California, with lower temperatures, decreased winds and higher humidity helping firefighters better combat the area's recent rash of wildfires. The organization also reported that service has continued at San Diego International Airport and that the tourism industry is eager to get the word out that the region is open for visitors.
AIG Travel Guard announced that it will provide emergency travel and medical assistance services free to all travelers and families affected by the wildfires in southern California. Travel Guard's services include advice on availability and location of hotels, temporary housing, shelters, message relay to family and friends stranded in the affected areas, cash wire transfers, evacuation assistance, lost document replacement and business assistance. Travelers and family members seeking these services for their relatives can call Travel Guard's 24-hour emergency hotline at 866-644-6811.
Expedia is reporting unaffected hotel bookings for Los Angeles. "Due to the high number of conventions in downtown Los Angeles, and scheduled film festivals, hotels were already reporting a lack of availability," says Tara Stangel, Expedia's senior market manager in Los Angeles. "Even with the high level of evacuees, it's still business as usual in L.A." (MR)