Obama Heads To Cooperstown To Promote Tourism

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE, The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama says he wants to make it easier for foreign tourists to visit and spend money in the U.S.

Obama was taking a trip Thursday to Cooperstown, New York -- home of the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum -- to talk about steps to help spur international visits to the 50 states.

In his weekly address last week, Obama said the overall U.S. economy and local businesses will benefit if it isn't a hassle for people from other countries to visit the U.S. and spend money at its hotels, restaurants, tourist destinations and other businesses.

From upstate New York, Obama was heading to his Chicago hometown to headline a pair of fundraisers benefiting Democratic Senate candidates.