L.A. Tourism at Work - March 2018

Nagoya Sister City Event
Organized by City of Nagoya, an outdoor consumer event showcasing Nagoya’s sister cities including Los Angeles was held on Hisaya Odori Avenue near Nagoya TV Tower on Feb. 17, 2018. L.A. Tourism’s Japan representative Emiko Morimoto staffed a destination booth and passed out Los Angeles pocket guides, maps, pens, Wing Travel flyers and shared updated information with visitors. Nagoya’s other sister cities include Mexico City, Nanjing, Sydney, Torino, and Reims.

JATA BrandUSA In-depth Seminar
L.A. Tourism, in partnership with BrandUSA Japan and JATA, participated in a training seminar series in Tokyo for five days beginning Feb. 21, 2018. The theme of this year’s seminar was music; each destination marketing organization had to share music-related experiences from their respective destination. Representative Emiko Morimoto showcased the latest developments at LAX and Metro while highlighting L.A.’s musical events, indoor & outdoor performance venues as well as the newest hotels and attractions to the travel trade audience.

Visit USA Workshop – Japan
L.A. Tourism participated in a training seminar for travel trade professionals on Feb. 23, 2018 as organized by Visit USA Japan. Rep Emiko Morimoto shared the latest developments at LAX including the Private Suite as well as highlighted the destination’s newest hotels and attractions with the trade attendees.

In-house Seminar at Tabikobo – Japan
Japan representative Emiko Morimoto conducted an in-house training seminar for six sales staff at Tabikobo in Osaka, one of Japan’s fastest growing OTA companies, on Feb. 27, 2018. Emiko shared the latest destination updates and developments at LAX Airport and Metro as well as the destination’s newest attractions, hotels and upcoming events. She also brought a healthy burger and smoothie from a nearby California-inspired café to promote L.A.’s trendy culinary scene.

L.A. Tourism in Germany
Representative Ines Niehues conducted training seminars for sales and trade professionals from CANUSA Touristik, America Unlimited and Feinreisen in Hanover, Germany. Ines shared the latest updates at LAX as well as highlighted the destination’s newest hotels and attractions to a total of 13 agents.

Travel Bulletin Luxury Showcase
Hayley French, L.A. Tourism’s sales and marketing manager for Europe & Middle East, participated in the Travel Bulletin Luxury Showcase in Bath. Travel trade professionals received updates on L.A.’s luxury product offerings as well as the latest destination happenings including hotels and attractions. A total of 60 luxury-focused travel agents attended the event.

Aer Lingus USA Roadshow
L.A. Tourism’s Hayley French joined a delegation of 15 U.S. cities for the Aer Lingus USA Roadshow with events in Belfast, Dublin, Limerick and Cork. Hayley conducted meetings with a total of 350 travel agents over the course of four training events, updating them on the latest and greatest L.A. offerings. Aer Lingus currently offers direct air service between Dublin and LAX Airport.  

Luxury Sales Calls – New York
L.A. Tourism organized its first New York Luxury Sales Calls - a series of calls, trainings and meetings with luxury travel agents from throughout Manhattan and Westchester - during the week of February 26, 2018. Regional Director U.S. & Canada Tamy Martelli and Destination Sales Director, Westside/Luxury Tiffany Deang met with 100 travel agents from 13 various agencies to promote the latest destination updates including new hotels, Private Suite at LAX, attractions, notable events and more. The team also highlighted L.A. Insider, a new online training program for travel trade, and L.A. Tourism’s extensive resources for booking group travel to Los Angeles.

L.A. Tourism in China
DISTA In-house Training
L.A. Tourism’s Guangzhou office conducted an in-house training at DISTA for 15 tour operators and sales managers on Feb. 7, 2018. Staff shared the latest destination updates including newly launched direct air service from China to LAX (SZX-LAX via Air China and HKG-LAX via Hong Kong Airlines), developments at LAX like the Private Suite as well as ideas for new theme itineraries featuring L.A.’s popular member attractions like Universal Studios Hollywood, Original Farmers Market, Petersen Automotive Museum, Citadel Outlets, Westfield Century City, OUE SkyspaceLA and more.

China US Innovation Chengdu Travel Service In-house Training
L.A. Tourism’s Chengdu office conducted an in-house training at China US Innovation Chengdu Travel Service Co. for 11 trade professionals on Feb. 9, 2018. Staff shared the latest destination updates including newly launched direct air service from China to LAX (CTU/CKG-LAX via Hainan Airlines), developments at LAX like the Private Suite as well as the newest L.A. hotels, attractions and restaurants. Tools such as L.A. Mini Products and L.A. Angels Academy were also presented to the trade audience.

Le You Travel Shanghai In-house Training  
L.A. Tourism’s Shanghai office conducted an in-house training at Le You Travel Shanghai for 13 product managers and operators on Feb 27, 2018. Staff shared the latest destination updates including newly launched direct air service from China to LAX, developments at LAX like the Private Suite as well as the newest L.A. hotels, attractions and restaurants. Tools such as WeChat and L.A. Angels Academy were also presented to the trade audience. Le You Travel is a Chinese wholesaler and retailer specializing in American tour products.

California Club Training at Air Tahiti Nui
L.A. Tourism’s France representative conducted an in-house training at Air Tahiti Nui for 13 travel agents as part of the California Club on Feb. 6, 2018. Staff shared the latest destination updates including direct air service to LAX, the L.A. Insiders program, developments at LAX as well as the L.A.’s newest hotels, attractions and restaurants. Travel agents from Carrefour Voyages, Salaun Holidays, Evasion Spirit, and other independent brands attended the training.

L.A. Tourism in Australia & New Zealand
Visit USA Australia Sales Mission
L.A. Tourism’s Australia office participated in Visit USA’s annual Australia Sales Mission in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane from Feb. 19-22, 2018. Staff shared the latest destination updates with attending travel agents including the newest L.A. hotels, attractions as well as developments at LAX Airport. A B2B event was held in Sydney for top tour and travel product managers where Regional Director Craig Gibbons conducted 40 B2B appointments. This year’s sales mission was its biggest ever with 60 U.S. destinations and product suppliers exhibiting to more than 1,000 Australian travel trade professionals.

Flight Centre New Zealand Travel Expo
L.A. Tourism exhibited at the Flight Centre Travel Expo, the largest consumer travel show in New Zealand attracting more than 3,000 consumers. Staff provided L.A. destination guides, maps, LAX updates theme park information for members including Universal Studios Hollywood and Six Flags Magic Mountain.

Brand USA New Zealand Sales Mission
L.A. Tourism participated in BrandUSA’s annual New Zealand sales mission in Auckland and Christchurch from Feb. 26-27, 2018. Staff shared the latest destination updates including the newest L.A. hotels and attractions as well as developments at LAX. The sales mission attracted more than 500 travel agents from New Zealand.

L.A. Tourism’s Sales team hosted 11 meeting professionals during NBA All-Star Weekend to showcase Los Angeles as a premier meetings destination from Feb. 17-19, 2018. In addition to attending NBA’s All-Star Saturday Night and the 67th All-Star Game at STAPLES Center, the group’s educational itinerary highlighted a studio tour at Sony Pictures, The GRAMMY Museum and OUE SkyspaceLA. Accommodations were provided by The Jeremy West Hollywood.

As part of Marriott International – Americas’ “California Dreaming” initiative, L.A. Tourism’s Communications team partnered with the hotel group to host domestic media for an L.A. experience from Feb. 9-10, 2018. The group’s educational itinerary showcased WP24 at The Ritz-Carlton; a historic tour of Clifton’s Republic; poolside fitness at W Los Angeles, West Beverly Hills; a visit to The Getty Center; and dinners at Redbird and The Bazaar by José Andrés at SLS Hotel. Coverage as a result of this trip has appeared in outlets such as Blackbook and Forbes.com. Accommodations were hosted by JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE.

The team hosted Kieran Sells, broadcast producer for Toronto’s Global Morning Show, for a Hollywood glitz & glamour-themed press trip from Feb. 3-7, 2018. Kieran’s educational itinerary highlighting only-in-L.A. experiences in Hollywood and Downtown including a tour of Clifton’s Republic; a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood; tours of Dolby Theatre and Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood; and cocktails at LONO Hollywood and Mama Shelter. Accommodations were hosted by Freehand Los Angeles in Downtown. Kieran’s broadcast segment ran before Oscars weekend showcasing Awards Season in Los Angeles.

The team also hosted writer Randi Bergman with Canada’s Globe and Mail as he explored Downtown L.A. and the Arts District on foot from Feb. 7-9, 2018. Randi’s itinerary showcased Grand Central Market; shops and eateries within the Arts District; Institute of Contemporary Art Los Angeles; ROW DTLA; The Broad; and dinners at Church & State and NoMad Hotel. Accommodations were hosted by the new NoMad Hotel Los Angeles. Coverage is expected to appear in the Globe and Mail in the coming weeks.

Also in February, the team hosted writer Ada Yakobi with FAJO Magazine, a Canadian online media outlet, focusing on “Girls Getaway” experiences in Los Angeles. Ada’s educational itinerary showcased Downtown and Mid-City with visits to Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles, FIDM’s Motion Picture Costume Design exhibit, The Grove, LACMA, Smorgasburg L.A., and The Broad. She also enjoyed vegan-friendly dining at Shojin, Bottega Louie, 189 by Dominique Ansel, and Badmaash. Accommodations were hosted by The Standard, Downtown L.A. Ada’s coverage from her visit is expected to publish in the next few weeks.

The team partnered with Tatler U.K., a British lifestyle publication, on a video feature showcasing the best rooftop bars in Los Angeles with a focus on the Beach Cities, Hollywood and Downtown. The featurette highlighted The Standard, Downtown L.A.; Spire73 at InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown; The Highlight Room at Dream Hollywood; Mama Shelter; and High at Hotel Erwin in Venice Beach.