US leaders sidestep visa obstacles
LAS VEGAS, 19 May 2011 – Top US officials defended President Barack Obama Wednesday against suggestions here that his administration has been slow to promote travel and tourism at a time of burgeoning opportunities.
Las Vegas, a mecca for gamblers and a top US tourist destination, is still smarting from Obama’s remarks in February 2010 advising recession-hit Americans, “You don’t blow a bunch of cash on Vegas when you’re saving for college.”
And participants in a three day “summit” on global travel and tourism have repeatedly questioned whether the administration recognizes that its visa policies are constraining US competitiveness.
New York revives waterfront
NEW YORK, 15 March 2011 – New York’s mayor on Monday unveiled a US$3.3 billion plan to revitalize hundreds of miles of shoreline, expand ferry services and boost the shipping industry in the Big Apple.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s plan calls for the long-term development of industrial and tourist potential along the maze of waterfronts in and around the most populous US city.
Over the next three years, some 20 hectares (50 acres) of waterfront parks are planned, along with a new ferry service linking Manhattan to the outer boroughs. The projects are predicted to create 13,000 construction jobs and more than 3,400 permanent jobs, the mayor’s office said.
China employs panda diplomacy
WASHINGTON, 20 January 2011 – China deployed a powerful tool from its diplomatic trove during President Hu Jintao’s visit Wednesday, announcing it will let two giant pandas spend five more years in the United States.
An agreement will be inked Thursday at the National Zoo allowing giant pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, who were supposed to go back to China at the end of last year, to stay in the US capital until 2015, Zang Chunlin, secretary general of the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA) said.
Senator defends naked scanners
WASHINGTON, 17 November 2010 – The US official leading the introduction of controversial full-body x-ray scanners and body “pat-downs” in US airports defended the practice Tuesday, insisting they were “the best technology” to protect against terrorist attacks.
Independent Senator, Joe Lieberman, chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security that held a hearing on the issue, was also quick to support the “difficult” and “sensitive” effort, maintaining “it is necessary” to ensure aviation safety.
