As part of National Travel and Tourism Week, the Obama administration on Thursday announced plans to boost tourism in America by attracting almost twice as many foreign visitors over the next decade.

“Tens of millions of tourists from all over the world come and visit America every year,” President Obama said in a statement. “They stay in our hotels, they eat at our restaurants, they visit our attractions, and they help create jobs. At a time when too many Americans are still looking for work, we need to make it easier for more people to visit this country and keep our economy growing.”

Commerce Secretary John E. Bryson and Interior Secretary Kenneth L. Salazar outlined for reporters the White House’s new National Tourism and Travel Strategy, calling the plan a “blueprint” for expanding travel to and within the United States.

Under the plan, foreign visitors would gain easier access to the country with improvements to visa processing, expansions of the Visa Waiver Program and expansion of trusted traveler programs.

The goal is to attract 100 million international visitors annually who would spend an estimated $250 billion each year by the end of 2021. This could help the industry add an estimated 2.1 million to 3.3 million jobs.

That’s a dramatic increase from the 62 million foreign travelers who spent a record $153 billion last year.

“We want the world to know that there has never been a better time to visit the U.S.,” Mr. Bryson said. “America is truly open for business.”

Tourism remains one of America’s most important services industries, he said, accounting for 25 percent of total service exports.

“At the same time, we will also encourage Americans to travel more within the U.S. to see all our country has to offer,” Mr. Bryson said.

The initiative comes as the United States has been losing ground in recent years in the international tourism market. America’s market share of worldwide tourist spending fell to 11 percent in 2010, down from 17 percent in 2000 - more than a 30 percent decline.

Many tourists were afraid to travel to and within the United States after 9/11. And many others who weren’t afraid to travel were annoyed by the heightened security that made it difficult to get into the country. That contributed to a $13.3 billion decline in travel and tourism in 2001 over the previous year, according to the Commerce Department.

That Great Recession didn’t help, either. In 2009, travel and tourism declined by 15 percent, by $21.1 billion, from the previous year according to the Commerce Department.

But 2011 was a bit of a comeback year for America. The United States generated $1.2 trillion in total tourism, including both international and domestic travelers, which was up 3.5 percent from the previous year, a number that outpaced the 1.7 percent growth rate of the overall U.S.economy and supported 7.6 million jobs.

Mr. Salazar believes the country can build momentum by promoting American landmarks like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Park.

“Tourism has the promise of being a great economic driver for the United States,” he said. “Our destinations are known throughout the world.”

San Francisco is one of the prettiest cities in the world, and has been used as the setting for countless movies and TV serials, including Dirty Harry, Vertigo, Ironside, and The Streets Of San Francisco. It is also one of the most forward-thinking and tolerant cities in the world, having been at the forefront of the hippy movement in the 60s and the gay liberation movement of the 1970s. Every year, it attracts millions of tourists from all over the world, keen to sample the legendary SF lifestyle. If you’re looking for deals in flights to San Francisco or cheap flights to New York, be sure to visit DialAFlight.com, who currently have some great deals on flight to America.
San Francisco is home to one of the most famous suspension bridges in the world, the Golden Gate Bridge. It i...

Next time a tourist to India wanting to visit Mount Abu and then wants to drive down to Gujarat, he will not be required to contact tour operators in Gujarat separately.
The Indian Times reports that tourists can contact either the Gujarat Tourism Department or the Rajasthan Tourism Department to assist in making arrangements, irrespective of the state the traveler wants to visit, thanks to a promotion of interstate tourism.
In order to bring in tourists to Gujarat and to market its sight-seeing places, the state tourism department has entered into a pact with Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Punjab for interstate tourism.
It has already started selling North Gujarat with Rajasthan. The department is promoting Shamlaji, Kesariyaji, Udaipur, Chittorgadh, Haldighati, Nathdwara, Ch...

Prince William and Kate Middleton have never been the stay-at-home types. A traveler could plan a royal (and royally expensive) getaway just following in their footsteps. The couple has journeyed to some of the world's most luxurious spots. Here are five places to catch the flavor of a royal vacation.
Desroches Island, Seychelles
Kate and William rekindled their romance here with a getaway in 2007. The private, three-mile-long Indian Ocean coral atoll is surrounded by clear turquoise water, and is reached by private plane. The five-bedroom Presidential Villa would seem perfect for the honeymooners, but others can book a beachfront suite for a mere $1,000 per person per night.
Lewa Safari Camp, Kenya
What better place to soak up royal romance than the spot where Wil...

The Falkland Islands will be back in the spotlight next year with the 30th anniversary of the British-Argentine conflict (2nd April – 14th June 1982). Visitors today come to marvel at one of the last untouched wildlife wonders of the world as well as to commemorate the war. Here are just some of the reasons to visit these amazing islands in 2012 and beyond.
Natural Nirvana
A compact archipelago of more than 740 Islands – many uninhabited – the Falklands offer an unspoilt, tranquil wildlife haven affording up-close-and-personal encounters with penguins in their thousands, the chance to see dozens of rare birdlife as well as offshore highlights including orcas hunting seals and dolphins playing in the surf.
Endless landscapes, pristine coast and beautiful white san...

We all know the feeling you get when you settle into your favorite couch with a glass of wine. Ever wondered how it's done around the world? Then check out these recommendations for the best destinations around the world to enjoy a lovely drop. You will get a new found appreciation for sommeliers and make yourself look good at dinner parties. Just leave plenty of room in the suitcase for the trip home.
1. Champagne, France - According to French law, only bubbly grown in this region and bottled according to the strictest standards can be labeled as Champagne. Here, you can pop the cork of France's best-known brands, including Dom Perignon, Perrier Jouet, Veuve Clicquot and Moët & Chandon. For those feeling adventurous, you can try the age-old art of sabrage - removing the cork from a...

Traveling to Europe may be a dream of yours that is finally about to come true. Now that it is, you want to ensure that everything goes exactly as planned. Many choose to stay in a vacation rental rather than a hotel or other lodgings which accommodate a number of people. If you choose to go this route, you need to know that the property you are renting is suitable. Here are five questions to ask about vacation rentals in Europe that every traveler should remember when booking the trip:
- If problems arise during your stay, how will they be handled? Will the owner or property manager be accessible at all times so a problem can be reported and handled in a timely manner? As a vacation can be ruined by a lack of hot water or a bug infestation, you definitely need to know how issues wil...

Houses are generally private places. (No trespassing, please!) Some of America’s coolest houses, however, let you peek behind the curtains to inspire and satisfy your curiosity. Cool houses are always experiments, domestic laboratories where designers, builders, and homeowners work out better ways to live.
When you think of experimental architecture, you usually think big: a museum by Santiago Calatrava or a city library by Rem Koolhaas. But the innovations that truly change our lives happen at home. America’s coolest houses may have started out as experiments, but today they’re guaranteed to be an interesting visit. Even if you can’t sip your morning coffee in the kitchen of California’s Hearst Castle, spending a little time in someone else’s pad might give you a few new...

The sun isn't the only thing that heats up between June and August in the Northern Hemisphere, the season also ignites the hottest summer party spots.
Top 10 Hottest Summer Party Spots north of the equator are:
Ibiza, Spain – Known for attracting world class DJs and referred to as the 'party capital of the world', Ibiza is home to some of the world's most famous clubs and brings revelers in their millions. The heaving club scene is complemented by a diverse collection of bars and Ibiza has also recently been home to the popular live music event, Ibiza Rocks.
Ios, Greece – Ios is the party capital of the Cyclades islands and is a haven for younger tourists. You'll need some stamina to survive the late night summer action in Chora, so once you've had enough, you can vis...

An advanced city submerged under sea; an ancient garden paradise bearing a tree of knowledge; an island of bird-women seductresses -- the stuff of pure fiction. Or perhaps not?
Far-off, mysterious islands provide the setting for some of our favorite myths and folklore. But more often than not, they have their roots in real-life locations.
From the Caribbean cove of Treasure Island to the sunken city of Atlantis, here's a travel guide for those who fancy a sailing holiday with an allegorical twist.
Treasure Island
The definitive swash-buckling tale of one-legged pirates, treasure maps and talking parrots centers around a tiny island somewhere in the Caribbean. Starring the rum-swigging buccaneer Long John Silver, the story was penned by 19th century Scottish author R...