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Michigan lawmakers target predatory loan companies; NY jury hears tape of Trump and Cohen Discussing Hush-Money Deal; flood-impacted VT households rebuild for climate resilience; film documents environmental battle with Colorado oil, gas industry.

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President Biden defends dissent but says "order must prevail" on campus, former President Trump won't commit to accepting the 2024 election results and Nebraska lawmakers circumvent a ballot measure repealing private school vouchers.

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Bidding begins soon for Wyoming's elk antlers, Southeastern states gained population in the past year, small rural energy projects are losing out to bigger proposals, and a rural arts cooperative is filling the gap for schools in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Maine Need Not Look Far for International Tourism Dollars

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Tuesday, May 27, 2014   

AUGUSTA, Maine - President Obama used the long holiday weekend to put the focus on international travelers and the million-plus jobs those travelers support. Tom Brosnahan, owner, NewEnglandTravelPlanner.com, says from across the Atlantic and just across the Canadian border, international travelers head to Maine because it offers unique experiences at bargain-basement prices.

As an author of the "Lonely Planet" travel guides, Brosnahan was surprised to learn why many Swiss travelers trek all the way to Maine.

"The Swiss come over to hike along the Maine coast. Okay, these are the people who own the Alps, right? They were coming to Maine because the Maine coast is really unique in the world," he says.

International travelers spent a record $181 billion on U.S. travel and related services in 2014, according to the White House.

Manny Witt, director, New England Tourism Center, Montreal, has been sending Canadian travelers to New England for 20 years. He says border crossings to the United States were up 28 percent last year.

"Last year was a record year on travel because the gas situation was so much cheaper in the United States, the dollar was almost at par, and the bargains were just there," Witt says. "I mean, it was just incredible."

Witt says if President Obama wants to increase international tourism, he could start by cutting down waits that can take up to two hours during the peak season in summer.

"The border wait times to get into the United States from Canada - it just takes a long period of time to cross the border - that's the only issue I see that may discourage a Canadian from coming into the United States," Witt explains.

A major component of the administration's strategy is to make the entry process easier for foreign travelers. In April, Air Canada became the first foreign air carrier to join the TSA's pre-screening program.

The administration's plan on the web at www.whitehouse.gov.




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