National News

Smoking ban approved in Chicago

Beginning Jan. 16, Chicagoans won't be able to smoke in most of the city’s public places, including movie theater lobbies, hallways of apartment buildings, or while standing in line indoors. The ordinance approved by Chicago’s City Council allows smoking in the privacy of one's home, as well as in a tobacco store, an American Legion hall or a smoking-designated hotel room. Smoking also is allowed in freestanding taverns and restaurant bars until July 2008. The smoking ban includes buses, trains, taxis and limousines; ticketing, boarding and waiting areas of public transit stations; and sports arenas and other recreational areas. In hotels, no more than 25 percent of rooms can be designated “smoking.”
Source: Travel Advance

Winter travel forecast warms hearts

Travel by Americans this winter season is expected to grow 2 percent over last winter, according to the latest seasonal forecast by the Travel Industry Association. Americans are expected to take a record 251 million person-trips during December, January and February. "Following the very soft fall travel season, we began to see signs of an economic recovery, which translated into higher consumer confidence and spending," said Roger Dow, TIA president and CEO. "Judging by this forecast, it's apparent that travelers are far more confident about taking a winter trip." During the current winter quarter, leisure travel will grow 2.4 percent, outpacing growth in business and convention travel, which will increase just 1 percent.
Source: Travel Advance

Americans expected to eat out more

U.S. diners are expected to fork over nearly a half-trillion dollars for restaurant meals next year, according to the National Restaurant Association (NRA). As they eat out, Americans are also increasingly looking for the comforts of home, including wireless Internet access and even tabletop televisions. "Restaurants have become America's dining room," said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of research for the NRA. "If you think of it, this is an extension of that premise, with restaurants becoming America's family room." The association predicts that dining establishments will take in 5.4 percent more next year, with sales at commercial restaurants expected to grow to $467 billion, up from the 2005 projection of $444 billion.
Source: Travel Advance