L.A. Tourism at Work - September 2018

International Meet & Greet
Prior to Market Outlook Forum on August 29, L.A. Tourism hosted its first International Meet & Greet where Members had the opportunity to network with international leisure, MICE and PR staff including representatives from the top 12 markets that generate 80% of international arrivals to Los Angeles.  For any questions about international markets or to find out more about future opportunities, please contact Jordan Baronfeld at jbaronfeld@latourism.org.

Virtuoso Travel Week
L.A. Tourism participated in the 30th annual Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas from August 12-16, 2018. The international tourism and sales teams conducted 540 appointments with luxury travel advisors from Canada, Latin America, Europe, Oceania and domestically, sharing the latest destination updates including LAX’s modernization and direct air services as well as the newest L.A. attractions and luxury experiences. In partnership with the Intercontinental Century City, the team co-hosted a client lunch at Spago and networked at Visit California’s VIP reception. Virtuoso attracted over 6,000 luxury travel advisors and suppliers from around the world.

L.A. Tourism in Germany
L.A. Tourism’s Germany rep Ines Niehues conducted a destination training for 39 agents from four different tour operators in the Hanover area on August 14 & 15, 2018 where she shared the latest L.A. products and developments while introducing the L.A. Insider online training module.

Virgin Holidays West Coast Training Day
L.A. Tourism’s UK office attended the annual Virgin Holidays West Coast Destination Day at the Virgin HQ with other key West Coast destinations and attractions. The team conducted destination trainings for 50 sales agents, sharing the latest L.A. updates and openings while introducing the L.A. Insider online training module.  

Ocean Holidays California Training Day
L.A. Tourism’s UK office attended a training day focused on California at Ocean Holidays, a UK Tour operator. The team conducted destination trainings for 30 agents, sharing the latest L.A. updates and openings while introducing the L.A. Insider online training module.

Mode Tour Travel Mart
L.A. Tourism’s South Korea representatives Ah-ree Kim and Helen Mo participated in the 2018 Mode Tour Travel Mart at COEX Center from August 30-Sept. 2, 2018. They participated in trade meetings to strengthen relationships with agents while sharing the latest L.A. and LAX updates and developments. L.A. Tourism’s both provided travel information to consumers, offering maps, pocket guides, and member collateral. Mode Tour Travel Mart attracted more than 110,000 visitors.

Visit California’s Australia and New Zealand Mission
L.A. Tourism participated in Visit California’s bi-annual tourism mission to Australia and New Zealand with roadshows in Auckland, Brisbane and Sydney from August 19-24, 2018. Throughout the week, the team met with 400 travel agents and 18 trade partners, promoting the L.A. Insider online training module, LAX Airport, as well as the latest destination updates and visitor offerings. A special thank you to Black and White Car Rental and Go Card for supporting the roadshow with giveaway prizes.

United Airlines Trivia Event in Melbourne
L.A. Tourism attended United Airlines’ trivia event for 120 agents in Melbourne on August 21. The team shared information about the daily flights from Melbourne to LAX via United as well as the latest destination updates. A special thank you to Level, Go Card, Starline Tours and Universal Studios Hollywood for supporting the event with giveaway prizes.

L.A. Tourism in Scandinavia
L.A. Tourism’s Scandinavia representative Johnny Gardsäter initiated a comprehensive marketing & sales partnership that includes destination trainings. A digital campaign on Ticket.Se has the potential to reach 16 million people with in-store advertising at 69 ticket travel agencies throughout the region. Store trainings will also be conducted to present the latest L.A. updates with more than 100 agents completing the L.A. Insider training module.
 

L.A. Tourism in China

LAWA Promotion Event in Chengdu
The Chengdu office organized a LAWA promotion event for nonstop flights with Hainan Airlines and Chengdu Champion Holiday from August 4-5, 2018 in Chengdu. 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. More than 250 agents attended the promotional event at Zhongshuge Book Store and Yanjiyou Book Store.

Training at Dida 
In co-operation with Dida, the Shanghai office co-organized a training for 22 key travel agents from Shanghai on August 7, 2018. Staff shared delivered a presentation highlighting TMD hotels, nonstop air service between Shanghai and LAX, LAX’s modernization and Private Suite as well as the latest L.A. attractions and luxury experiences.  The L.A. Mini Products/Packages initiative was also introduced.

In-house Training at Fancy Tour
The Beijing office conducted an in-house training for eight operators at Beijing Fancy Tour International Travel Service on August 9, 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.

Training at NUO Travel
The Beijing office conducted an in-house training for nine operators at NUO Travel on August 10, 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.

Roadshow in Shenzhen
The Guangzhou office joined CITS Newview, one of the biggest travel agents focusing on in-depth travel in Shenzhen, and American Airlines, operating nonstop service from Hong Kong to LAX, to conduct a series of training roadshows in the Shenzhen market beginning August 22, 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.

Training at Jiangmen Dafang Travel
The Guangzhou office co-hosted an in-house training for 30 operators and sales managers at Jiangmen Dafang Travel with Hong Kong Airlines on August 23, 2018. Staff shared the latest destination updates, highlighting LAX Airport's modernization and direct air services as well as iconic 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.

Training at NUO Travel

The Beijing office conducted an in-house training for nine operators at NUO Travel on August 10, 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.

Roadshow in Shenzhen

The Guangzhou office joined CITS Newview, one of the biggest travel agents focusing on in-depth travel in Shenzhen, and American Airlines, operating nonstop service from Hong Kong to LAX, to conduct a series of training roadshows in the Shenzhen market beginning August 22, 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.

Training at Jiangmen Dafang Travel

The Guangzhou office co-hosted an in-house training for 30 operators and sales managers at Jiangmen Dafang Travel with Hong Kong Airlines on August 23, 2018. Staff shared the latest destination updates, highlighting LAX Airport's modernization and direct air services as well as iconic 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.

ASAE 2018
The sales team, along with seven of L.A. Tourism partners, traveled to Chicago to exhibit at ASAE. Staff showcased what makes Los Angeles one of the hottest meetings destinations highlighting new developments and exciting offerings. A hosted event on the rooftop of Gibson’s Italia attracted 75 key meeting professional clients. ASAE attracted more than 6,000 attendees in 2018.

During the week of Market Outlook Forum in late August, the Communications team hosted PR representatives from its agencies in Australia, Canada, China, India, Mexico and U.K. to increase their awareness and first-hand knowledge of the destination’s newest visitor offerings for future media interactions. The group’s itinerary included a tour of LAX Airport and Westfield LAX; a tour of Hollywood with Bikes and Hikes L.A.; shopping and dining at Westfield Century City; and visits to The Getty Center and Skirball Cultural Center. In addition, the group conducted site visits to several hotels including H Hotel, Hotel Figueroa, Hotel Erwin, W Los Angeles - West Beverly Hills, Dream Hollywood Hotel, Kimpton Everly and NoMad Los Angeles.

Also in August, the team hosted destination awareness trips for three international journalists for editorial coverage. The Mail Online, a top UK media outlet with the world’s largest English-reading audience, featured the Sparrow Mart pop-up shop at The Standard Downtown L.A. in a video story. A producer with Australia’s “Today Show” stayed at Hollywood Roosevelt and filmed segments at the Ronald Regan Presidential Library, California Science Center and Universal Studios Hollywood. Lastly, a writer from New Zealand experienced Dream Hollywood and the region of Hollywood for a destination feature story and property review.