State water regulators and farmworker groups urge coordination on winery permits, research and worker supports State Water Board staff described the winery general order, industry and labor groups urged research and workforce support, and tourism leaders warned that lost visitors compound the industry's financial stress; panelists recommended targeted relief and regulatory flexibility.

California's wine industry faces a critical crossroads as regulators and advocates push for coordinated efforts to safeguard growers, workers, and local economies amidst growing challenges.

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#CA #CitizenPortal #TourismEconomics #AgriculturalRegulation #WorkforceDevelopment

Oregon House approves lodging tax hike to fund wolf compensation and prevention The Oregon House passed House Bill 4,134 on Feb. 24, 2026, increasing the state transient lodging tax to create a dedicated wolf management compensation and proactive trust fund. Supporters said it provides reliable funding for nonlethal deterrence and compensation; opponents warned of costs to Oregonians and tourism.

Oregon's House just passed a controversial bill to raise lodging taxes, aiming to fund wolf management—will it protect wildlife or burden residents?

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#OR #ConservationFunding #TourismEconomics #WildlifeManagement

Kern supervisors ask staff to poll voters and meet industry on possible bed‑tax increase After receiving a staff report showing Kern County’s transient occupancy tax (TOT) rate is 6% — below nearby averages — the board directed staff to conduct polling and stakeholder outreach and return a May report on whether to pursue a ballot measure to raise the rate.

Kern County is considering raising its outdated 6% transient occupancy tax to 12%, potentially generating $4 million a year for vital services!

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#KernCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #RevenueGeneration #PublicSafety #TourismEconomics

Emery County travel staff warns marketing budget tight after new TRT rules; events estimated to have generated about $1.9 million Travel office staff told the Emery County Travel Bureau on Feb. 10 that state changes to TRT spending rules and lower TRT receipts will constrain county marketing (approx. $31,000 this year) even as staff estimated supported events generated roughly $1.9 million in visitor spending.

Emery County's travel staff warns that new TRT rules will tighten their marketing budget to just $31,000 this year, despite an impressive estimated $1.9 million generated from supported events!

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#UT #MarketingStrategy #CitizenPortal #EventEvaluation #TourismEconomics

Gary council approves short-term rental at 8720 Oak Avenue with nine conditions The Gary Common Council voted 6–2 to approve a special-use permit allowing a non-owner-occupied short-term rental at 8720 Oak Ave, adopting nine conditions including occupancy limits, parking requirements and annual review with potential revocation after repeated verified violations.

The Gary Common Council has just approved a controversial short-term rental, sparking heated debates over its impact on local neighborhoods and the economy.

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#IN #NeighborhoodSafety #CitizenPortal #GaryShortTermRentals #CommunityEnforcement #TourismEconomics

Carmel-by-the-Sea council directs staff to pursue language for possible November 2026 TOT increase after heated public debate After a staff presentation showing a 2‑point TOT increase (10%→12%) could yield about $1.8M, hoteliers warned of lost occupancy and reinvestment impacts; council voted 4–1 to ask staff to draft ballot language and return in April for review.

Carmel-by-the-Sea's City Council is considering a controversial tax increase that could generate $1.8 million annually, but hoteliers warn it might scare away visitors and hurt local businesses.

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#MontereyCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #PublicFinance #TourismEconomics

Knox County hearing draws dozens as recreation groups, residents oppose vacating Bats Nest Road At an open hearing commissioners heard hours of public comment urging them not to vacate Bats Nest Road, with recreation and business representatives citing tourism and a landowner saying he needs access and may invest in repairs; the board said no decision would be made that day and expected a decision within a week.

Residents and recreation advocates packed the Knox County hearing, passionately arguing against the closure of Bats Nest Road, a vital link for tourism and access.

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#KnoxCounty #OH #TourismEconomics #CommunityAccess #KnoxCountyRecreation #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal

Back in December 2024, available online first…

“The preferred mix of urban and rural destinations in domestic and international travel” by Shlomit Hon-Snir & Sharon Teitler-Regev.

link.springer.com/article/10.1...

#PortugueseEconomicJournal #EconSky #TourismEconomics

Council approves $4.08M in ATAX grants; Lowcountry Golf award draws dissent The council approved $4,076,992 in accommodations‑tax grants to 35 applicants and debated one contested award: Lowcountry Golf Course Owners Association’s $100,000 request passed 6‑1 after proposals to reallocate funds to history and cultural organizations failed.

Hilton Head Island's Town Council just approved over $4 million in grants to support tourism and culture, but a heated debate erupted over a $100,000 award to the Lowcountry Golf Course Owners Association!

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#HiltonHeadIslandBeaufortCounty #SC #TourismEconomics #CommunityIdentity

Back in October 2024, available online first…

“Research on the influence mechanisms of digital economy on tourism economic resilience—empirical evidence from China” by Min Zhou & Xue-Jun Chen.

link.springer.com/article/10.1...

#PortugueseEconomicJournal #EconSky #TourismEconomics

CVB staff: 430 short-term rentals in Laredo; hotels and government contracts shaping capacity Staff told the Convention and Visitors Bureau advisory committee there were 430 short-term rental listings (377 Airbnb, 53 VRBO) between Oct. 25 and Nov. 25; members discussed how short-term rentals and long government contracts affect hotel inventory, tax collections and event capacity.

Laredo's lodging landscape is shifting with 430 short-term rentals now available, raising questions about the impact on hotel occupancy and tax revenues.

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#LaredoWebbCounty #TX #LocalGovernment #TourismEconomics #HospitalityIndustry #CitizenPortal #LaredoShortTermRentals

TDC: Bed‑tax revenue tops $72.5 million as Visit Tampa Bay cites marketing gains Visit Tampa Bay reported a strong fiscal year for Hillsborough County tourism on Nov. 13, saying bed‑tax collections exceeded $72.5 million and hotel taxable revenue topped $1.2 billion; the TDC accepted the report unanimously.

Tampa Bay's tourism boom hits new heights with bed-tax collections soaring past $72.5 million, thanks to innovative marketing strategies and strong partner engagement!

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#HillsboroughCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #FiscalRevenue #MarketingInitiatives #TourismEconomics

New quarterly research: Manatee County reports 685,000 visitors and $634 million in direct spending for June September A new research report presented to the TDC estimated 685,000 total visitors (paid, unpaid and day trippers) in June through September, generating an estimated $634 million in direct spending and about 851,000 room nights. The research used intercept surveys, partner data and panels; staff said direct year-over-year comparisons will be possible once

Manatee County welcomed an impressive 685,000 visitors this summer, resulting in a staggering $634 million in direct spending!

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#ManateeCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #VisitorEngagement #DataAnalysis #TourismEconomics

Council Bluffs CVB reports $336 million in visitor spending for county in 2023; launches ‘UnleashedCB’ brand Mark Ackman, executive director of the Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Bureau, briefed supervisors on fiscal year 2025 tourism metrics, a new brand (doing business as UnleashedCB), marketing results and event-driven hotel nights; the board received the annual report and heard that digital advertising and event promotion drove recent gains.

Pottawattamie County is buzzing with excitement as visitor spending soars past $336 million in 2023, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau unveils its dynamic new brand, UnleashedCB!

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#PottawattamieCounty #IA #UnleashedCB #EventPromotion #DigitalMarketing #TourismEconomics

Skagit planning commission hears wide-ranging public comment on proposed agritourism code amendments At a public hearing Oct. 14, Skagit Valley residents, farmers and tourism officials traded views on proposed agritourism code changes that would define agritourism, set three activity levels tied to attendance, and prohibit certain event venues on some agricultural-designated lands. Speakers disagreed on guest caps, enforcement, Growth Management-­

The proposed agritourism code amendments could reshape family farms and tourism in Skagit County, sparking heated debate among locals about the future of agricultural gatherings.

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#SkagitCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #LandPreservation #AgriculturePolicy #TourismEconomics

Local Hosts Advocate For Short Term Rentals In Hamilton County Community Residents emphasize benefits of short term rentals for tourism and community support.

Local hosts in Fishers passionately defend short-term rentals, arguing that they boost tourism and strengthen the community.

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#FishersCityHamiltonCounty #IN #CitizenPortal #FishersShortTermRentals #CommunitySupport #TourismEconomics

Monthly Economy & Travel Industry Summary: August 2025 Weak jobs report raises odds of rate cut, while international travel by Americans continues to rise

Our monthly look at the economy and travel industry is out, courtesy of our partners at #TourismEconomics. Weak jobs report raises odds of rate cut, while international travel by Americans continues to rise.

news.buses.org/monthly-economy-travel-i...

Zoning Board Approves Multiple Short Term Rental Exceptions in Tuscaloosa The Zoning Board grants short term rental exceptions for Whirley, Durham, and Shaw properties.

Tuscaloosa's Zoning Board just approved multiple petitions for short-term rentals, paving the way for new economic opportunities amidst community concerns.

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#TuscaloosaCityTuscaloosaCounty #AL #CommunityDevelopment #HousingRegulations #TourismEconomics

County Officials Assess Impact of Tourism on Sales and Fuel Taxes Officials highlight tourism's influence on county revenue and fuel tax stability.

Nassau County officials reveal that one-third of the county's revenue hinges on tourism, raising crucial questions about fiscal sustainability in an evolving economy.

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#NassauCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #FiscalResponsibility #TransportationFunding #TourismEconomics

Murrieta City Council approves $943,170 tourism funding and welcomes special project proposals City Council finalizes tourism grant allocations and invites future project requests in December.

Marietta City Council has just approved a whopping $970,000 to boost local tourism and community services, setting the stage for exciting upcoming events!

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#MariettaCobbCounty #GA #CitizenPortal #CulturalInvestment #MariettaTourism #CommunityDevelopment #TourismEconomics

Europeans turn away from US amid growing anti-American sentiment - Yes Punjab News Anti-American sentiment rises in Europe as US tourism drops and boycotts of American goods surge, fueled by tariffs, politics, and damaged US reputation.

Europeans turn away from US amid growing anti-American sentiment yespunjab.com?p=131780

#BoycottUSA #USATourismDrop #AntiAmericanSentiment #EuropeTravelTrends #TrumpTariffs #BuyFromEU #EUvsUS #Travel2025 #BoycottAmericanBrands #TourismEconomics #USReputationCrisis

🌍 How are tourism, corruption, and CO₂ emissions interconnected in BRI countries?
In the newest issue of Leisure Sciences, this study explores their dynamic relationship and impact on economic growth.
#TourismEconomics #Sustainability #LeisureResearch

Governor Josh Stein defends tourism over local control of school calendar in North Carolina Opponents of school calendar authority cite potential harm to North Carolina's thriving tourism industry.

The battle over school calendar authority in North Carolina is heating up, as board members clash with tourism leaders over what truly matters: our children’s education or the bottom line.

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#NC #CitizenPortal #NorthCarolinaSchools #StudentNEeds #EducationPolicy #TourismEconomics

Cabarrus County tourism report reveals $624M economic impact for residents Tourism spending saves Cabarrus residents $171 per year in taxes due to visitor spending.

Cabarrus County officials revealed that tourism spending has injected a staggering $624 million into the local economy, saving residents $171 in taxes annually!

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#CabarrusCounty #NC #VisitorEngagement #CommunityDevelopment #TourismEconomics #CitizenPortal

Utah commissioners deliberate $5M funding request for Zion Forever Project amidst budgeting concerns Utah commissioners discuss prioritization and regional input for Zion Forever Project funding request.

Utah's Outdoor Adventure Commission is at a crossroads, deliberating a crucial $5 million funding request for the Zion Forever Project to enhance visitor experiences amid rising tourism pressures.

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#UT #FundingAllocation #CommunityCollaboration #TourismEconomics #CitizenPortal

Orlando leaders discuss TDT funds and economic impact on small businesses Orlando officials debate TDT funding diversion and its effect on small businesses' revenue.

Orlando officials are grappling with the future of Tourist Development Tax funds and their impact on small businesses as legislative changes loom.

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#OrangeCounty #FL #OrangeCountySmallBusinesses #TourismEconomics #CitizenPortal #CommunitySupport #LegislativeImpact

Board of Health discusses COVID funding cuts and Zion Park reservation concerns Officials address health department layoffs and regional impacts from Zion National Park reservation system.

Iron County faces critical challenges as COVID-19 funding cuts threaten health services and the proposed Zion Park reservation system could impact local tourism and economies.

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#UT #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #AnimalWelfare #TourismEconomics

US International Tourism Drops 11.6% in March 2025 as Global Visitors Choose Alternative Destinations | AI News Brew <p>International tourism to the United States has experienced a significant decline in early 2025, with overseas visits dropping 11.6% in March compared to the previous year, according to new data fro...

US International Tourism Drops 11.6% in March 2025 as Global Visitors Choose Alternative Destinations
ainewsbrew.com/article/3839

#USTourism #TravelIndustry #GlobalTourism #TourismEconomics #InternationalTravel #TravelTrends #EconomicImpact #TourismData #GlobalTravel #BusinessNews

Texas commission approves new rules for nonresident five-day hunting licenses Texas Parks and Wildlife updates nonresident hunting license regulations effective September 2025.

Texas is poised for a hunting revolution with Senate Bill 1247, offering a new five-day nonresident license that could boost tourism and reshape wildlife management.

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#TX #CitizenPortal #SustainablePractices #TexasHunting #WildlifeManagement #TourismEconomics

69th Legislature reviews SB 556 addressing ski area safety and operations Legislature examines ski area safety regulations and operational definitions in proposed SB 556.

Montana's Senate Bill 556 could redefine ski safety and liability, sparking heated debates over accountability on the slopes.

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#MT #CitizenPortal #LegislativeReform #PublicSafety #MontanaSkiAreas #TourismEconomics