News & Notes - April 2016

[[{"fid":"306405","view_mode":"media_original","fields":{"format":"media_original","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_media_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_media_title[und][0][value]":"","field_tags[und]":"","field_folder[und]":"325"},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":520,"width":712,"class":"media-element file-media-original"}}]]
Thirty-two years ago, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships began as a single-day, seven-race event.  Since then, it has grown into a two-day, $26 million extravaganza serving as the culminating event of the Thoroughbred racing season. The best horses, trainers, jockeys, breeders and owners from across the globe converge for 13 championship races, highlighted by the $5 million-dollar Breeders’ Cup Classic,  which is often the deciding factor for the Horse of the Year award.

Every year, movie stars, athletes, musicians and some of the most influential people in the world come to witness the richest two days in racing. And while these two days have seen legends born, history made and fortunes won, the greatest part is that the best is still yet to come.

The Breeders’ Cup World Championships will be held at magnificent Santa Anita Park on Friday, November 4 and Saturday, November 5, 2016. Invite your friends, family and colleagues to join us in celebrating the best of the best as they compete for their place in history.

For more information, please visit http://www.breederscup.com/groups

[[{"fid":"297902","view_mode":"media_original","fields":{"format":"media_original","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_media_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_media_title[und][0][value]":"","field_tags[und]":"","field_folder[und]":"325"},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":400,"width":712,"class":"media-element file-media-original"}}]]
L.A. Performs, L.A. Tourism's winter marketing campaign for performing arts, ran across multiple digital platforms, including Expedia.com and Priceline.com, Jan. 25-March 6. Visitors who booked a minimum of two nights in a participating L.A. hotel received an exclusive offer for two-for-one ticket purchases to nearly 30 performances by L.A.’s top performing arts groups. The program generated 75,206 hotel room nights sold during the campaign and saw revenue increases of 15% YOY on each platform. In its inaugural year, L.A. Performs is designed to grow visitor awareness and appreciation for the city as one of the world’s premier cultural destinations. This is the first visitor promotion organized by L.A. Tourism that focuses exclusively on the performing arts. L.A. Tourism thanks all performing arts venues for their participation.

Participating groups included the Center Theatre Group, Geffen Playhouse, Los Angeles Ballet, Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Valley Performing Arts Center.


   

[[{"fid":"246677","view_mode":"media_original","fields":{"format":"media_original","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"LAX Gateway Pylons","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"LAX Gateway Pylons","field_media_alt_text[und][0][value]":"LAX Gateway Pylons","field_media_title[und][0][value]":"LAX Gateway Pylons | Photo courtesy of Los Angeles International Airport, Facebook","field_tags[und]":"Points of Interest, Airports, Art","field_folder[und]":"2364"},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"LAX Gateway Pylons","title":"LAX Gateway Pylons","height":400,"width":712,"class":"media-element file-media-original"}}]]
More than $16.8 million in Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) was collected in February for the City’s General Fund, which, is a total of $149.3 for Fiscal Year 2015-16 year to date. This total is a YOY increase of 13.3% and 5.7% above the FY15-16 adopted budget.

Scandinavian Airlines, the largest airline in Scandinavia, launched new daily nonstop service from Stockholm, Sweden to LAX on March 14, 2016. The service returns to Los Angeles and features brand new cabins with revamped seating and high-definition entertainment systems. This marks SAS’s fifth direct route to the United States.

According to an annual report by the World Travel and Tourism Council, 7.2 million jobs were added in the travel and tourism industries worldwide, contributing $7.2 trillion to the gross domestic product. Travel and tourism spending grew by 3.1% last year and the industries now support 284 million jobs, according to the report.

Metro’s Expo line, which will extend from Culver City to Santa Monica will officially open May 20. The extension includes seven new stations and riders will be able to get from Downtown to Santa Monica in 45 minutes.