Note to tourism board directors: Don't use your work computer to send out porn to your buddies! The future of Hawaii Tourism Authority CEO, Rex Johnson, is in jeopardy after he admitted to sending at least one racy email to friends. But after a lengthy closed-door meeting yesterday, the authority board still hasn't made a decision on whether to fire Johnson, who's been working in the industry for more than two decades.

Yesterday, the board heard more than 60 pieces of testimony in favor of the work Johnson has done, including positive comments from tour operators, airline employees and community leaders. But a senior vice president at Starwood Hotels says people are speaking out not because they like Johnson but because they want to catch the attention of his buddies at the Hawaii State Legislature:

Please know that this [pro-Johnson] view is not the majority of the industry but there is a reluctance to speak out due to the legislative support he has gotten.

The board of the authority hopes to reach a decision on Johnson's future "within days."

Related Stories:
· Board Still Deciding on Hawaii's Tourism Chief [Advertiser]
· HTA Deliberates over CEO's Fate [Star-Bulletin]
· Tourism Board Adjourns with No Decision [Biz Journals]
· Hawaii Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: skyseeker]]]> pbb 2008-08-13T10:30:19-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/8/12/7742/81100

San Francisco has pioneered many green initiatives from hybrid taxis to a ban on plastic bags, and the city has a stellar reputation for trying out things that will benefit the world at large.

So hoping to capitalize on SF's green obsession, the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau has just coined a new word for you: "Ecothusiasm." The office has even devoted a section of its website to visitors who want to plan a green adventure in and around the city.

From eco-conscious meetings at the Moscone Center to environmentally friendly trips that involve the use of public transportation, the website offers solutions to travelers worried about their carbon footprint. There's even a blog, Eco411, where you can stay up-to-date on all the city's environmentally sound planning and development.

Related Stories:
· Green SF [Official Site]
· Green Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: rick]]]> kjb 2008-08-12T12:30:09-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/7/14/134147/817

The Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association has gussied up its website, adding all sorts of fun web tools. We're particularly big fans of the new videos, including this strangely compelling tour of the city.

Also available are older videos introducing you to Baltimore people like Cal Ripken, Jr. and David Simon, who explains that "The Wire" is a love letter to his hometown:

If you come from DC, you sort of have to admit you're not from a real place. You acknowledge that our food is better, that our beer is colder, that our neighborhoods are worth living in and that this is a city more real than yours. Once you do all that, you know, we're ready to embrace you!

More from Simon after the jump.]]> pbb 2008-07-14T13:45:16-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/7/2/11512/76033

Google Earth seems to get more useful by the day, and now you can plan more than just your next pool party using the free software.

South African Tourism worked with Google to develop a special batch of layers to hype the country. You can fly in over cultural sites and historic landmarks or click over to the nature and safari info to plan a wildlife-focused trip.

And of course all the locations for the 2010 World Cup are highlighted as well. Speaking of, tickets for the competition go on sale in February 2009, about the time, we'd expect, you'll start seeing a huge amount of press about visiting South Africa.

Related Stories:
· Sightseeing in South Africa [Google LatLong]
· Tourism Board Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· Google Earth coverage [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-07-02T12:05:09-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/6/25/4575/90961

The east coast town of Wollongong in Australia used to be good for not much more than a tricky spelling question at a pub quiz night. But the Wollongong tourist board is busy telling the world that the city is worth a trip when you're next visiting Sydney.

In their exact words, if you want to "mix a Sydney stopover with a stunning coastal drive and regional tourism experience" then Wollongong is the right place to go. They've created a 140 km, signposted scenic drive down the coast which has been named the Grand Pacific Drive which certainly does sound pretty, well, grand.

The route crosses the slightly scary Sea Cliff Bridge, and the Illawarra tree-top walk is also close by. Just right for a short-but-grand escape from bustling Sydney.

Related Stories:
· Wollongong Tourism [Official Site]
· Signs To Lure Overseas Visitors [South Coast Register]
· New South Wales Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: iansand]]]> amandak 2008-06-25T09:30:05-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/6/20/45654/5288

When the "Lord of the Rings" movies came out, Australia sat by and watched neighboring New Zealand steal millions of tourists eager to see the scenery where Frodo Baggins frolicked. Now that "Australia" is nearing release, it's time for the Aussies to get their revenge.

As for the tourism marketing campaign, it should be pretty easy to connect the film to the nation, since the movie is simply called "Australia." It's set around World War II times, but the landscape still looks pretty sexy. Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman don't look half bad either.

Australia's tourist board has put together a huge "See the movie, see the country" advertising campaign, including movie maps and location guides, so once the movie's released in November this year, nobody will be able to escape the mysterious pull to visit Australia. And that probably includes us.

Related Stories:
· Kidman to Help Australian Tourism [BBC]
· Australia Movie [Official Site]
· Movie Set Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: mikegoat]]]> amandak 2008-06-20T09:30:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/5/27/133610/023

You may not realize it, but Montreal has been a global cultural mecca for decades. Sure it's frequently visited by University of Vermont students interested in legal boozing, but the city is also home to one of the most progressive electronic music, fashion, design and cuisine scenes in all of North America. Lucky for you, then that the good folks from Tourisme Montreal have made planning a long weekend there even easier with a new website.]]> DanielR 2008-05-27T16:00:01-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/