California Tourism Delegates to Visit Japan

Business Wire, Nov 10, 2004

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- More than 20 delegates representing California's top travel destinations, accommodations and attractions are in Tokyo this week as part of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's Japan Trade Mission.

Helping to spearhead the effort is the California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC), a non-profit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs in partnership with the state's travel industry that keep California top-of-mind. California is currently ranked as the number one travel destination in the country.

"Tourism is big business for California generating $78.2 billion in direct travel spending and producing $5 billion in direct state and local revenues," CTTC Executive Director Caroline Beteta said. "In 2003, California welcomed 590,000 visitors from Japan and generated a total of $668 million in travel-related expenditures. This number represents a 50 percent drop from the 1990s, making Japan California's second largest overseas market. Japan is important to California because we serve as the gateway for Asian travelers and are the first point of entry into the United States. California is increasing its marketing efforts in Japan to regain this market share and to better compete with other destinations aggressively promoting to Japanese travelers."

The delegation includes a variety of California businesses, as well as convention and visitor bureaus representing some of the state's most popular destinations.

Anaheim/Orange County Visitors and Convention Bureau: Anaheim/Orange County consists of 34 colorful, diverse cities and 42 miles of beautiful coastline in Southern California. It's the home of Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure, Knott's Berry Farm, South Coast Plaza, Mission San Juan Capistrano, the Anaheim Angels baseball team and "The OC" television show. Huntington Beach is "Surf City USA." Newport Beach features Fashion Island and Pelican Hill Golf Club, while Laguna Beach has quaint shops and art galleries. Beach cities feature luxurious new resorts and spas offering peace, comfort and relaxation.

California Association of Bed and Breakfast Inns: The California Association of Bed and Breakfast Inns (CABBI) represents more than 300 certified bed and breakfast inns throughout California, and is the most thorough, single source of information for bed and breakfast travel in the state. Travelers can research accommodations by region, amenities, facilities, lodging packages, rates and availability via the organization's website. Links to member inns' websites make it easy to check availability and book reservations. CABBI bed and breakfast inns are ideal for business travel, family vacations, group functions and romantic getaways.

CityPass, Inc.: CityPass is designed for individual travelers to the United States and is a convenient and money-saving way to visit the most popular attractions in some of North America's greatest cities, while avoiding most ticket lines. The tickets provide information about each attraction including directions, operating hours and an insider tip on the best time visit. CityPass is good for nine days from the first day of use and will save pass holders up to 50 percent.

Disneyland Resort: Beginning May 5, 2005, the Disneyland Resort in California will host the "Happiest Celebration On Earth," commemorating 50 years of theme park magic. The celebration is a chance for the generations of guests to return and relive their memories of park visits with family and friends and includes the re-decorated Sleeping Beauty Castle, new "Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams" featuring the largest cast of Disney characters ever assembled, new fireworks, new "Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters" attraction and new "Space Mountain" special effects. Disney Cruise Line will launch its first-ever west coast itinerary with cruises out of Los Angeles to the Mexican Rivera.

Hertz: Hertz is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Ford Motor Company and the largest car rental company in the world, providing quality rental service for 80 years. Hertz is also the largest supplier of rented and leased heavy equipment in the world, and also provides truck and van rentals. Finally, Hertz sells one year-old vehicles from their rental fleet to make room for new models.

Hornblower Cruises & Events: Hornblower Cruises & Events is a 23-year-old company that has grown from a two-ship operation to a $30 million business featuring 25 yachts located in six ports throughout California. Hornblower is the market leader in each of its six ports offering both public/individual dining cruises and dining yacht charters.

Ironstone Vineyards: Ironstone Vineyards is located in the Sierra foothills in the gold rush town of Murphys. This seven-story premier winery and entertainment complex is a modern replica of an 1859 Gold Stamp Mill complete with tasting room and gourmet delicatessen, an aging cavern, conference facilities, outdoor amphitheatre and 14.5 acres of landscaped gardens. The Heritage Museum and Jewelry Shoppe contains artifacts from the gold rush era and the world's largest specimen of Crystalline Gold Leaf -- a 44-pound treasure uncovered just a few miles from the vineyards.