L.A. Tourism at Work - October 2018

2018 World Routes
In partnership with Los Angeles World Airports, L.A. Tourism attended World Routes 2018 in Guangzhou, China from September 16-18, 2018.  The key global conference for air route development, World Routes brings together international airlines, airports, tourism boards and civil aviation authorities for network planning. Staff conducted one-on-one prescheduled appointments with international carriers to promote LAX Airport and new service that is on the horizon from Singapore, Buenos Aires, and Xian and Shenyang, China. This year more than 300 airlines, 700 airports and 130 tourism authorities from 110 countries attended over three days.

Virgin Holidays FAM
In partnership with Virgin Holidays, L.A. Tourism hosted a destination awareness visit for 10 Virgin Holidays executives and agents from September 18-21, 2018. The group’s educational itinerary showcased only-in-L.A. experiences including the GRAMMY Museum, Six Taste Food Tours, the Broad, OUE Skyspace LA, Westfield Century City, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, King Tut at the California Science Center and Bikes and Hikes LA. Accommodations were hosted by Dream Hollywood Hotel and Hotel Figueroa.

Discover America Seminar – Scandinavia
L.A. Tourism’s Scandinavia reps Johnny Gardsäter and Göran von Arbin exhibited at Discover America Seminar and Workshop in Malmö on Sept. 20, 2018, where they shared the latest destination updates and promoted the L.A. Insider training module. A total of 116 TA, TO and partners participated the event.

Tour Operator Trainings in Norway & Denmark
L.A. Tourism’s Scandinavia rep Johnny Gardsäter visited key tour operators in Norway & Denmark from Sept. 10-12, 2018 to conduct destination training seminars, sharing the latest Los Angeles updates and visitor offerings while promoting the L.A. Insider training module with agents.

L.A. Tourism in Germany
L.A. Tourism’s Germany rep Ines Niehues conducted a destination training for 14 agents from one tour operator and three luxury travel agencies in the Stuttgart area on September 24, 2018, sharing the latest L.A. products and introducing the L.A. Insider training module.

Travel Associates Conference – Australia
L.A. Tourism’s Australia office exhibited at Flight Center Travel Group’s annual Travel Associates conference on the region’s Gold Coast from Sept. 7-8, 2018. Tourism Manager Kathleen Finneran conducted a series of training seminars across the two-day event, focusing on L.A.’s luxury hotel partners as well as health and wellness experiences in Los Angeles. The L.A. Insider online training program for travel agents was also promoted with an incentive prize for agents to complete the program. The luxury travel conference was attended by 200 travel agents from across Australia & New Zealand.

Kinki Nippon Tourist Sales Call – Japan
L.A. Tourism’s Japan rep Emiko Morimoto conducted sales calls at the Kinki Nippon Tourist office in Japan to promote Los Angeles with destination updates and suggestions for their existing tour brochure and packages on Sept. 6, 2018.

Tourism Expo Japan 2018
In partnership with Visit California, L.A. Tourism’s Japan rep Emiko Morimoto exhibited at Tourism Expo Japan 2018, Asia’s largest tourism event, from Sept. 20-23, 2018. Emiko shared the latest destination updates, new hotels and visitor offerings, highlighting the newly launched L.A. Insider online training module. Thank you to Leisure Pass Group and Universal Studios Hollywood for their partnership throughout the show. A record number of 1,441 companies and organizations from 136 countries and regions exhibited this year.

Air New Zealand Event
Following the successful L.A. Tourism & Air New Zealand Mastermind Quiz in June, the highly anticipated final event was held on Sept. 19, 2018. Travel agents tested their L.A. and Air New Zealand knowledge, going head-to-head to win flights to Los Angeles via Air New Zealand. Agents educated themselves about the destination by completing the L.A. Insider training module. Congrats to STA Goodge Street in London for achieving the highest score!

L.A. Tourism in China
Meet-and-Greet with Mr. Wooden
L.A. Tourism’s President & CEO Ernest Wooden Jr. met with travel professionals in Qingdao, Shanghai and Beijing during a recent visit to China from Sept. 6-13, 2018. Mr. Wooden met with 70 professionals including industry leaders and senior trade representatives from airlines, tour operators, wholesalers, event managers, MICE planners and key hotel partners, sharing the latest updates on Los Angeles, air route development to LAX and the market’s future outlook.

In-house Trainings at Tongcheng
L.A. Tourism’s China offices organized a co-op marketing campaign with Tongcheng, one of the top OTAs in China, to jointly promote LAX, TMD hotels and L.A. in-depth tours. A series of 12 in-house trainings are scheduled for this co-op marketing campaign for the frontline sales staff in different outlets of Tongcheng across China. Staff shared the latest destination updates, highlighting LAX Airport's modernization and direct air services as well as the newest L.A. attractions and experiences. The L.A. Mini Products/Packages initiative was also introduced for in-depth itineraries in addition to the L.A. Angels Academy 2.0 tool.

In-house Training at Beijing Huicheng International
L.A. Tourism’s Beijing office conducted an in-house training at Beijing Huicheng International Travel Service for its 60 operators and sales agents on September 20, 2018. Staff shared the latest destination updates, highlighting LAX Airport's modernization and direct air services as well as the newest L.A. attractions and experiences. The L.A. Mini Products/Packages initiative was also introduced for in-depth itineraries in addition to the L.A. Angels Academy 2.0 tool.

Delta Air Lines Shanghai-LAX FAM
In partnership with Delta Air Lines, L.A. Tourism hosted a destination FAM trip to promote the airline’s Shanghai-LAX route with travel trade representatives from Sept. 26-30, 2018. Attendees on the trip included 10 travel trade partners from Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Wuxi, media from China Travel Agents, and a rep from Delta. The group’s educational itinerary showcased shopping at LAX Airport; an electric bike tour of DTLA; visits to California Science Center, OUE Skyspace, Warner Bros. Studio Tour, The Original Farmers Market, Griffith Observatory, Universal Studios Hollywood and much more. Accommodations were hosted by Embassy Suites Los Angeles – International Airport/North.

US Consulate General Shanghai’s Roadshow
L.A. Tourism’s Shanghai office participated in a roadshow and in-house training in Wuxi and Suzhou of Jiangsu Province organized by US Consulate General Shanghai from September 20-21, 2018. Staff briefed 20 shop managers from JiangSu Comfort International Travel Service Co., Ltd. on the latest developments at LAX, air services from China to LAX and what's happening in LA, in addition to 200 reps from Wuxi China Travel Service Sincerity Tour Group later that afternoon.

Emirates and Four Seasons Luxury FAM
In partnership with Emirates and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, L.A. Tourism hosted a destination awareness visit from Sept. 11-15, 2018 for travel operators based in Saudi Arabia including: Dream World Travels; Bin Ghaith; Travel Agency; ITL World; Golden Gate Travel; Saudi International Travel Agency; Al Faris International Travel & Tourism; Travel Expert Agency; Arabian Company for Travelers Service; Dawli Travel & Tourism and Attar Travel. The group’s educational itinerary showcased L.A.’s luxury experiences including Starline Tours, Warner Bros. Studio Hollywood, Westfield Century City, Citadel Outlets and an LAFC match.

Four In-house Trainings in Chengdu
L.A. Tourism's Chengdu office conducted four in-house trainings in Chengdu for Landbridge International, Chengdu Champion Holiday, ToursforFun, and Chengdu Overseas Travel. A total of 63 trade representatives from their sales, marketing and OP departments attended the trainings. Staff delivered presentations on direct flights from China to LAX (particularly non-stop flights CTU/CKG-LAX by Hainan Airlines), LAX's latest modernization, shopping and the Private Suite. The L.A. Mini Products/Packages were highlighted for the participants which would help the trade to design different L.A. in-depth products according to various themes for their both groups and FIT clients. L.A. Angels Academy 2.0, a mobile training program was also introduced.

IBTM Americas in Mexico City
L.A. Tourism’s Sales team exhibited at IBTM Americas, a newly launched tradeshow connecting the meetings and events industry across North America, South America and beyond, from Sept. 5-6, 2018. Darren Green and Sara Hoke attended this show in Mexico City where they attended the BrandUSA Latin American Hosted Buyers Breakfast to share a destination presentation with over 100 buyers. They also conducted more than 60 one-on-one appointments, connecting with key meeting planners throughout the Americas.

IBTM China in Beijing
L.A. Tourism’s Sales team exhibited at IBTM China in Beijing from Sept. 12-13, 2018 as staff conducted 75 one-on-one appointments with qualified hosted buyers at the tradeshow booth. This year’s event also included an exclusive VIP dinner with President & CEO Ernest Wooden Jr. where buyers learned about the latest destination updates and meetings offerings. IBTM China connects the world's leading MICE suppliers with over 5,000 buyers who have proven purchasing power and budget to place with international providers.

In September, the Communications team hosted an outdoor-themed press trip for six media from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., India and New Zealand for future editorial coverage. The group experienced only-in-L.A. outdoor offerings and wellness activities across L.A.’s diverse Beach Cities including a bike ride through the South Bay with Bikes and Hikes LA, surfing lessons in Ocean Park with Aqua Surf School and a breakfast sail with Hornblower Cruises & Events. The group also explored the newly renovated Getty Villa, a tasting at Malibu Wines, and dining at James’ Beach in LAX Airport’s Tom Bradley Terminal prior to their departure. Accommodations were hosted by Hotel Erwin in Venice Beach.