The Year in Preview

Tourism: Southern California tourism next year is expected to surpass this year’s record showing, given projected growth in conventioneers and foreign visitors, even from financially troubled Asia. More than 23.8 million visitors are expected next year, up 2% from this year. Leisure travel from Britain and Germany is expected to be up strongly. Japanese tourism is also projected to grow by 3%, after a 5% dip this year. The outlook for domestic leisure travel is being called a “crapshoot” by local officials, who note uncertainty about consumer confidence.