Las Vegas

Good news for anyone considering a vacation this summer: Tourism is good for the economy. That was part of the message from Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar during a recent announcement that National Parks nationwide are waiving entry fees on three weekends this summer. “National Parks also serve as powerful economic engines for local communities and we hope that promoting visitation will give a small shot in the arm to businesses in the area,”

The brouhaha over business travel could be a boon for leisure travelers, according to an expert with an online travel Web site. “Leisure travelers who want the most bang for their buck on vacation this year should look to the big cities that traditionally do a lot of business in conventions and corporate events,” Brian Ek of Priceline.com said in a news release. “Cities to check out would include Las Vegas, New York, New Orleans,

A new campaign from the U.S Travel Association aims to “challenge policymakers to tone down the dangerous rhetoric, embrace sensible guidelines for companies receiving assistance and promote travel as an economic solution.” Business travel, the group says, accounts for 15 percent of the nation’s travel, creates 1 million jobs and generates $16 billion in tax revenues annually. But, in recent weeks, some politicians have called out companies for taking junkets, saying they are unnecessary and