With the launch of http://www.explorestlouis.com/pets/ and a grow­ing rep­u­ta­tion as a city that embraces pets, St. Louis con­tin­ues to evolve as one of the most pet friendly travel des­ti­na­tions in the United States.

The Mississippi Development Authority’s (MDA) Tourism Division in part­ner­ship with the Mississippi Tourism Association has released its 2010 Official Tour Guide, a com­pre­hen­sive hand­book that encour­ages vis­i­tors to see the Hospitality State while help­ing them plan their next Mississippi vacation.

The Mississippi Development Authority’s Tourism Division announced the Mississippi Blues Trail Web site is now avail­able for vis­i­tors look­ing to cre­ate mem­o­rable trips. The site is avail­able at www.msbluestrail.org, www.msbluestrail.com, and www.msbluescommission.org.

The 14th Annual Celtic Fest Chicago begins a new tra­di­tion in Chicago’s Millennium Park this Mother’s Day week­end, May 8 and 9 for two days of unique music and enter­tain­ment bring­ing old world charm to Chicago. Presented by the City of Chicago and FlyNovaScotia.com, Celtic Fest Chicago is FREE to the pub­lic and runs from 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. A com­plete sched­ule includ­ing head­lin­ers at the Jay Pritzker Pavillion will be announced soon.

American Airlines announced it will change its checked bag charges, effec­tive with tick­ets pur­chased on or after Feb. 1, 2010. The charges apply to travel within the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands on American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection flights.