Scott Ahlsmith, CTC's - Roads Less Traveled

Cleared for Fast Track Security

During February, 2007, four U.S. airports, including John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, will debut the Clear Registered Traveler program.  This program lets frequent travelers zip through TSA security check points.

It uses biometrics, technology that measures human physical characteristics for identification purposes.

While travelers registered with Clear can get through security faster they still have carry  their gels, pastes, and liquids in clear one-quart zip-lock bags.

Inbound U.S. Tourism Expected to Increase

Every year U.S, travel service providers, like hotels, theme parks, convention centers, airlines, and tourist boards travel to Berlin to display their wares to the rest of the world.  Their goal is to gain a larger slice of the global travel economy.  They are selling the U.S.A as a vacation destination for foreign travelers at ITB Berlin, which is the world's largest travel and tourism trade show.

This year, the U.S. delegation will be the largest since 2001.  Their message will be, "the U.S. is back in business and eager to welcome international visitors."  This comes after a steady decline in international arrivals to the U.S. and a corresponding decline in jobs in the travel and tourism sector of our economy.  There are several reasons for this decline.