LEXINGTON, Ky. -- ARTA said it is planning to conduct a 90-day
review of state tourism offices to determine if any are following
California in selling travel services directly to consumers.
The association has been critical of a recently announced
California Division of Tourism plan to accept hotel reservations
directly from consumers by telephone and over the Internet.
"California officials have defended their plans by pointing out
similar reservations services run by other states, and we want to
devote time this spring to investigate those claims," said ARTA
chairman Lynn Hayes.
ARTA said it plans to canvass state tourism offices, brochures
and Internet sites to see if any offer similar services.