Airport to grow

Airport to grow

LAS VEGAS

Airport officials say they’re doubling the number of international gates in Las Vegas with the expectation that foreign travel to the destination will climb.

McCarran International Airport director Rosemary Vassiliadis told a governor-appointed panel looking at southern Nevada tourism issues recently that construction to convert part of an existing link between its D concourse and one of its two terminals into seven additional international gates would begin later this year.

The president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has also made it a goal to increase international travel, including a possible program directed specifically at boosting Chinese travel. There are no direct flights to Las Vegas from Japan and China.

Geography quiz

Q. To which continent would you travel to see the Dnieper River?

A. Europe. It stretches about 1,420 miles from its source in Russia through Belarus and Ukraine, emptying into the Black Sea.

W.Va. agency orders more travel guides

CHARLESTON, W.Va.

The West Virginia Division of Tourism has ordered another 50,000 copies of the state travel guide from a vendor to keep up with demand.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that more than 8,000 people requested a copy of the “Wild Wonderful West Virginia” travel guide in July alone.

The Division of Tourism has distributed about 450,000 travel guides this year. The guides also are available at interstate welcome centers.

Tourism Commissioner Amy Goodwin says the division plans to improve the content and appearance of next year’s guide.

Amtrak adding trains, cars for visit

PHILADELPHIA

Amtrak says it’s adding trains and cars to help travelers get around during Pope Francis’ U.S. visit next month.

The rail carrier says it will add 34 extra trains for Francis’ Sept. 26-27 Philadelphia stop and lengthen regularly scheduled trains while Francis is in New York and Washington.

Reservations are required for Acela, Northeast Regional and Keystone Service trains Sept. 25-28.

Amtrak could be vital to Philadelphia-bound travelers. About 25 miles of highway and downtown streets will be closed and the region’s commuter rail has a cap of 175,000 daily riders.

Amtrak says there won’t be taxis or rental cars at Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station during the visit.

Asheville tourism

ASHEVILLE, N.C.

It’s another one for the record books in Asheville.

Tourism officials tell media outlets that 2014 again set records for tourism in the area.

Officials say an estimated 10 million visitors flocked to Asheville during 2014 and spent an estimated $1.7 billion.

Combined dispatches