In celebration of National Tourism Week, May 8 to 16, Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of the California Travel & Tourism Commission (CTTC), has announced a new, online joint marketing promotion with Southwest Airlines called California -- The Game. The promotion gives consumers a chance to win weekly prizes through a virtual board game where the objective is to travel around the Golden State, visiting different destinations and attractions along the way. During the journey, players will come across Excursions and Pitstops. Excursions are challenges to be solved. The more challenges a player gets right, the more entries he or she earns. Pitstops are points in the game where the player experiences uniquely California moments.

California -- The Game will continue through June 27, with grand prize winners announced on or about July 19. Participants can earn an extra point by sending a link to a friend via Facebook Connect. There will be one weekly winner during the first seven weeks of the promotion, with two grand prize winners during the final week. Southwest will give away a pair of roundtrip airline tickets each week during the first seven weeks. There are two grand prize packages -- a Southern California Ultimate Family Getaway and a Northern California Wine, Dine & Culture Getaway. To enter, visit www.visitcalifornia.com/game.

The CTTC also has launched the SpendTom.com! promotion to highlight the importance of tourism as a job creator and revenue generator. The Tom in question is Thomas Jefferson, the face on the $2 bill. Five Los Angeles-area destination marketing organizations are participating: L.A. Inc. The Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Santa Monica Convention and Visitor Bureau, the West Hollywood Marketing & Visitors Bureau, the Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau and the Marina Del Rey Convention & Visitors Bureau. Along with local tourism partners, they are pumping $2 bills into Los Angeles County during National Tourism Week. The promotion also includes San Diego, Palm Springs, Sacramento, Lake Tahoe, Sonoma County and Temecula. Statewide, SpendTom.com is supported by 16 destinations and 184 California businesses.

More than 30 local SpendTom partners will offer $2 bills, stamped with SpendTom.com, when making change during National Tourism Week. Among them are Universal Studios Hollywood’s food and beverage carts, the Santa Monica Pier, Starline Hollywood Tours, Sprinkles Cupcakes in Beverly Hills, the Roxy in West Hollywood and select Venice Beach restaurants. Consumers start by visiting the SpendTom.com website; linking to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube; uploading video and/or photos; and telling the world where they got their Toms and how they spent them. SpendTom.com participants can also register to win prizes from tourism destinations around the state. The CTTC is planning on giving away a prize each day through May 31 as the $2 bills circulate throughout the month. Prizes include overnight hotel stays, attraction admissions and shopping and dining certificates throughout California. For more information, visit www.spendtom.com.  For general California tourism information, call 877-225-4367 or visit www.visitcalifornia.com.