Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will hold a California Travel and Tourism Outlook Forum, which will include an industry leadership summit, and will provide the keynote luncheon address to 1,800 hotel owners and investors at ALIS. The luncheon, part of the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), is open to the media and scheduled for noon on Wednesday, January 19, 2005, at the Westin Century Plaza Hotel & Spa, 2025 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles.“People from across the globe travel to California because it is one of the greatest places to visit in the world,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “As California’s fourth largest employer, tourism supports nearly 90,000 jobs and generated over $78 billion in spending in California in 2003. I am committed to creating more jobs for Californians by reminding the world our state is a fantastic destination.”

To ensure that California continues to be effectively marketed and remains competitive among other destinations, Governor Schwarzenegger is coming together with approximately 50 of California’s top travel industry leaders at a special forum to develop creative, long-term promotional and funding solutions that will keep the state top-of-mind with visitors.

“It’s essential that we continue to promote California aggressively, work cooperatively and increase the state’s share of domestic and international visitors,” Executive Director Caroline Beteta of the California Travel and Tourism Commission said.

Investors and owners of hotel establishments have long focused on the importance of California as a tourism destination. The industry’s premier conference called ALIS, co-hosted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) and the Burba Hotel Network (BHN), provides an extensive array of educational seminars hosted by leading experts and investors to discuss trends and identify new opportunities.

“Governor Schwarzenegger’s magnetic personality and broad background in entertainment, business and government makes him a powerful speaker for our attendees,” BHN President and ALIS Conference Chairman Jim Burba said. “Clearly the Governor understands and appreciates the tremendous clout of our industry, and supports the hospitality investment community and our impact on the California economy.”

In the three years since its inception, the Americas Lodging Investment Summit has become the largest and most prolific hotel investment conference in the world. Attendees are major CEOs, owners, and venture capitalists in the lodging industry. For more information, visit the conference Web site at www.alisconference.com.

The California Travel and Tourism Commission is a non-profit organization that develops and maintains marketing programs in partnership with the state’s travel industry that keep California a leading destination. For more information about the organization, click to www.visitcalifornia.com
or call 916-444-4429.
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