SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Nov. 16, 2004 – More than 20 delegates representing California's top travel destinations, accommodations and attractions were in Tokyo recently 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.
Los Angeles Inc., The Convention and Visitors Bureau: Many of the most famous people in the world make L.A. their home. Fashion trends start in L.A. boutiques. World cuisines combine to create delicious, new taste sensations. And when it's time to relax, L.A. celebrities enjoy some of the most luxurious spas imaginable. Los Angeles is the number one port of entry on the mainland U.S. for Japanese visitors. Whether it's the newest fashion, great prices or personal shopping on some of the most famous streets of L.A., visitors are treated famously during their stay.
Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau: Just two hours south of San Francisco on California's central coast, Monterey County offers 25 world-renowned golf courses, more than 40 premium wineries, unique cultural and historic attractions, outdoor recreation and some 200 festivals each year. Monterey County is also home to the National Steinbeck Center and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, with over 30,000 marine animal and plant specimens including a Great White Shark new on display. Located in historic downtown Monterey is the Monterey Marriott, a 10-story, 341-room full service hotel within walking distance of the aquarium, Fisherman's Wharf and the beach.
San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau: San Diego is recognized as one of the leading vacation destinations in the world. The region is home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park and LEGOLAND California, the only LEGO theme park in North America. Downtown San Diego is an exciting, hip urban center with new hotels, shopping and entertainment complexes and the historic Gaslamp Quarter. Downtown offers PETCO Park, the new San Diego Padres' baseball stadium, and the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum.
San Diego Zoo/Wild Animal Park: The San Diego Zoo is home to more than 4,000 rare and endangered animals. Here visitors can view exotic animals in their naturalistic habitats including giant pandas, koalas, reptiles of various shapes and sizes and many more interesting species. New at the 1,800-acre San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park is a lion exhibit, which brings people uncomfortably close to these large carnivores. The Photo Caravan Safaris take guests on a canopy-covered safari truck through the expansive enclosures of East and South Africa, the Asian Plains and Asian Waterhole for up-close photography opportunities of rare wildlife including rhinos, giraffes, cape buffalo, gazelles, wildebeest and more.
San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau: San Francisco has enjoyed a lasting relationship with Japan beginning in 1860 with the visit of the ship Kanrinmaru. Osaka became San Francisco's first sister city in 1957. San Francisco's restaurants, museums, shops and hotels are within walking distances. The city's famous landmarks include the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars and SBC Park, home of the San Francisco Giants baseball team. Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, North Beach, Chinatown and Union Square attract visitors worldwide.
San Francisco Marriott: The San Francisco Marriott is the 39-story luxury landmark hotel as diverse and popular as the city it serves. It is centrally located across from the Moscone Center and steps from Union Square, cable cars and a host of world-class museums and restaurants. In addition to offering one of San Francisco's largest and best-equipped meeting facilities, the San Francisco Marriott boasts a recent $35 million room renovation. The diverse, experienced staff and quality appointments embody the level of service and excellence that continues to make Marriott one of the most popular choices in hospitality.
SeaWorld San Diego: With more than 100 million visitors since opening in 1964, SeaWorld is one of San Diego's premier tourist attractions and one of the most popular marine parks in the world. Occupying 189 acres on Mission Bay Park, SeaWorld is known for its spectacular animal shows, interactive attractions, aquariums, rides and dining facilities.
United Airlines: United Airlines is the world's second largest airline and operates more than 3,500 flights per day to more than 200 U.S. and international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. With key air rights in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe, United is the largest international carrier in the United State.
Universal Studios Hollywood: Universal Studios Hollywood is the world's largest movie studio and theme park offering guests the ultimate Hollywood experience with movie-based attractions including the new Revenge of the Mummy roller coaster and a behind-the-scenes look at the world's largest working studio.
For more information about California and the delegates, visit the CTTC's Web site at www.visitcalifornia.com or call 916-444-4429.
Contacts:
CTTC
Jennifer Jasper, 916-447-0981
Leona Reed, 916-444-6798
