China had some good news on Friday for countries that have been courting its overseas travelers: outboard tourism grew by 16% in the first quarter of the year to 22.6 million trips, according to figures from the China National Tourism Administration.

FORBES: China's Overseas Travel Rose By 16% In 1st Qtr; Visitors To Country Fell

Since the President issued an Executive Order in January and the National Travel and Tourism Strategy was subsequently released by this Administration in May, the Departments of Commerce, Homeland Security, Interior, and State have put a priority on expanding travel to and within the U.S., while remaining vigilant in protecting our national security.

WHITEHOUSE: Our Top Stories

Recent steps by her administration have been designed to impede tourism along with fishing, a mainstay of the islands' economy and even Argentina's overall trade with Britain.

ECONOMIST: Thirty years after the Falklands war

All of these numbers underscore the importance of the travel and tourism industry to the U.S. economy - and the value of the Administration's efforts to attract more international visitors to the United States.

WHITEHOUSE: Our Top Stories

The Obama Administration is implementing important steps, as outlined in the National Travel and Tourism Strategy, to bolster job creation through a range of activities to better promote the United States as a tourism destination and make it easier for legitimate foreign travelers to spend their money in the United States, while enhancing our ability to protect Americans from national security threats.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House

From helping small businesses grow, to bolstering travel and tourism to the U.S., to cutting through regulatory red tape, the Administration has aggressively promoted job growth in line with the Jobs Council recommendations.

WHITEHOUSE: Our Top Stories

Mr. Bloomberg said the administration will seek City Council legislation to make New York a more "youth-friendly tourism destination" by legalizing for-profit youth hostels that are common in Europe.

WSJ: Mayor Celebrates His Achievements

The Ministry of Tourism says all former Hussein palaces in the country, including those at Camp Victory, should be placed under its administration in accordance with a government resolution passed two years ago.

WSJ: Turf Battle Forms Over Hussein's Palaces