L.A. Tourism at Work - May 2018

TravelBrands Agent Appreciation
L.A. Tourism participated in TravelBrands’ annual Agent Appreciation & Travel Trade Event in Calgary and Vancouver, Canada from April 16-17, 2018. Tamy Martelli met with travel agents from across the region, sharing product updates from the newest destination hotels, attractions, LAX Airport as well as the launch of the L.A. Insider online training tool. To encourage travel agent sign-ups for the new training tool, a kiosk was activated at the L.A. booth in Vancouver. In total, 60 hotel and destination suppliers welcomed more than 200 travel agents in Calgary and 300 agents in Vancouver.

Carlson Wagonlit Travel Owners & Managers Conference
L.A. Tourism participated in Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s (CWT) Owners & Managers Conference held on a Ruby Princess Cruise Ship sailing from the Port of LA to Vancouver from April 23-27, 2018. CWT held their pre-conference at the Beverly Hilton and its welcome dinner was hosted by Visit California on April 23. During the four-day conference, L.A. Tourism held one-on-one meetings with 25 key owners and managers to promote Los Angeles as a luxury destination, highlighting non-stop air service to LAX; the L.A. Insider online training tool; and new product updates including hotel, LAX’s modernization and upcoming events. The conference was attended by 80 CWT staff, owners and managers from Canada and U.S., along with 60 hotel and destination suppliers.

Arabian Travel Market
L.A. Tourism exhibited at Arabian Travel Market, the leading global travel trade event for the Middle East region, from April 22-25, 2018. Francine Sheridan, regional director of Europe & Middle East, and  Alba Oliveras, in-market representative, conducted appointments with airlines and key buyers including Emirates Airlines and Holidays and Etihad Airlines and Holidays and shared the latest destination updates.  ATM attracted more than 30,000 attendees.

Al Rostamani Travel Training
L.A. Tourism’s Middle East office conducted a destination awareness training session for six travel professionals at Al Rostamani Travel and Tourism Agencies in Dubai, UAE on April 9, 2018. The group received updates on the newest L.A. attractions, hotels, products and direct air service to LAX as well as information on L.A. Insider, the new online training tool.

Emirates Holidays Marketing Campaign
L.A. Tourism’s Middle East office executed a joint marketing agreement with Emirates Holidays to promote the destination in the Middle East. The agreement consists of a partnered event with L.A. Tourism with lunch for 50 travel agents from Dubai; a destination training session for all Emirates Holidays staff in UAE including a webex training to the Emirates Holidays team in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain; and a campaign that targeted 4,000-plus agents across the Middle East with three email blasts that included a destination newsletter, a trade incentive and an L.A. hotel promotion.
The campaign launched on April 1, 2018 with the distribution of a destination newsletter to 4,653 agents in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain. The partner event then took place at La Mer, Dubai with staff providing an insightful Los Angeles presentation for 50 key agents. An incentive email to promote bookings to Los Angeles was emailed to 4,000+ agents in the region on April 12. The L.A. hotel promotional offer was distributed on April 30. The Emirates Holidays staff training will take place in May.

Haneda Airport Travel Fair
L.A. Tourism’s Japan rep Emiko Morimoto, in partnership with BrandUSA Japan, participated in the Haneda Airport Travel Fair organized by Tokyo International Airport with cooperation from Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) from March 30 – April 1, 2018. Emiko distributed Los Angeles visitor collateral and shared the latest destination updates with consumers.

USA Specialist Program – Seoul
L.A. Tourism participated in BrandUSA's ‘USA Specialist Program 2018’, a year-long travel trade training program targeting tour operators and agencies based in Seoul on April 4, 2018. Staff delivered a 45-min destination presentation to 40 agents, highlighting the newest L.A. products and the latest visitor offerings. Agents that complete the year-long program will be eligible to participate in a mega FAM this fall.

Visit USA and BrandUSA Workshop
L.A. Tourism exhibited at an annual workshop organized by Visit USA and BrandUSA in Osaka, Japan on April 19 an in Nagoya, Japan on April 20. A total 119 participated in both workshops, receiving the latest destination updates and the newest L.A. visitor offerings.  

Korean Air FAM
In partnership with Korean Air, L.A. Tourism hosted a destination awareness visit for travel operators and agencies based in Busan including Hana Tour, Mode Tour, Online Tour, Lotte Tour, IAM Tour, Thomas Tour, and United Agency from April 19 – 21, 2018. The group’s educational itinerary showcased only-in-L.A. experiences including Universal Studios Hollywood, Peterson Automotive Museum, The Broad, OUE SkyspaceLA, and Griffith Observatory. Accommodations were hosted by LEVEL Furnished Living.

L.A. Tourism in Scandinavia
L.A. Tourism’s Nordic representative Johnny Gardsater met with 17 key tour operators and travel agency consortiums to promote the new L.A. Insider training tool. News of the tool’s launch was also distributed to Nordic travel trade media, trade trade professionals including airlines and Discover America as well as regional travel agents.

L.A. Tourism in China

Visit California 2018 China Sales Mission
L.A. Tourism’s China offices participated in Visit California’s 2018 China Sales Mission in Beijing, Shanghai and Taipei from April 8-17, 2018 to promote the destination and LAX Airport to top travel agents from North, East and South China, and Chinese Taipei. A total 77 one-on-one appointments were conducted during the mission, as staff highlighted the latest destination updates including direct air service to LAX, LAX's modernization, the Private Suite and shopping at LAX. The newly-launched L.A. Mini products was also recommended to all agents for their themed tour packages and niche clients.

China International Travel Service Training
L.A. Tourism’s Shanghai office conducted an in-house training for 40 staff at China International Travel Service (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. on April 4, 2018. Staff delivered a destination presentation highlighting L.A.’s TMD hotels, air service to LAX, LAX’s modernization, Private Suite at LAX and the newest visitor offerings. Social platforms including WeChat and L.A. Angels Academy were also shared with the group. CITS Jiangsu is both a retailer and wholesaler in East China who sent 3,000 travelers to L.A. in 2017.

China Comfort Nanjing Int'l Travel Training
L.A. Tourism’s Shanghai office conducted an in-house training for six staff at China Comfort Nanjing Int'l Travel Co., Ltd on April 4, 2018. Staff delivered a destination presentation highlighting L.A.’s TMD hotels, air service to LAX, LAX’s modernization, Private Suite at LAX and the newest visitor offerings. Social platforms including WeChat and L.A. Angels Academy were also shared with the group. The newly-launched L.A. Mini products was also recommended to all agents for their themed tour packages and niche clients.

Jiangsu Province Trainings
L.A. Tourism’s Shanghai office participated in a series of trainings for 130 trade professionals from 12 agencies in Jiangsu Province (Zhenjiang and Nanjing), organized by US Consulate General Shanghai, from April 9 - 11, 2018. Staff delivered a destination presentation highlighting L.A.’s TMD hotels, air service to LAX, LAX’s modernization, Private Suite at LAX and the newest visitor offerings. Social platforms including WeChat and L.A. Angels Academy were also shared with the group. The newly-launched L.A. Mini products was also recommended to all agents for their themed tour packages and niche clients.

Chongqing Trainings
L.A. Tourism’s Chengdu office conducted a series of trainings for 65 staff at Chongqing CTS, Chongqing Leyou, Chongqing Glorious Vacation from April 10-12, 2018. Staff delivered a destination presentation highlighting L.A.’s TMD hotels, air service to LAX (specifically the CKG-LAX route via Hainan Airlines), LAX’s modernization, Private Suite at LAX and the newest visitor offerings. Social platforms including WeChat and L.A. Angels Academy were also shared with the group. The newly-launched L.A. Mini products was also recommended to all agents with various themes for group and FIT clients. L.A. Angels Academy 2.0, a new mobile training program, was also introduced.

Dragon Trail China Travel Academy Sharing Salon
As invited by Dragon Trail, a digital travel marketing company, L.A. Tourism’s Beijing office attended the China Travel Academy Sharing Salon in Beijing on April 18, 2018. Angela Li shared the results of L.A. Angel Academy 1.0., the mobile training program. To date, more than 3,000 trade professionals have completed the program. During the salon, L.A. products/packages with 4 themes (family, outdoor, luxury and culture) consisting of 22 itineraries with over 66 days in L.A. were introduced to 40 trade reps, encouraging them to add themed tours to their regular and existing products.

China (Xiamen) International Leisure Tourism Expo 2018
L.A. Tourism’s China office participated in China (Xiamen) International Leisure Tourism Expo 2018 in Xiamen from April 20-21, 2018. L.A. Tourism hosted a networking luncheon on April 20 and joined the Tourism Forum on April 21. During the networking luncheon, 20 trade professionals received the latest destination updates including Xiamen Airlines' air services to LAX, LAX's modernization and L.A. Mini Products/Packages for agents from Fujian Province. Regional Director Kate Change delivered a speech to 300 Forum attendees highlighting the improvement of essential R&D capability on L.A. products and packages along with destination information.

Wowoyoo and Air China Salon Event
L.A. Tourism’s Guangzhou Office co-hosted a VIP Salon Event with Wowoyoo and Air China for 50 high-end clients from SPD Bank in Guilin, Guangxi Province on April 27, 2018. In partnership with Air China, the VIP salon event was held in Guilin for promoting travel to L.A. and Air China's stopover air services, namely KWL - SZX/PEK – LAX. Staff delivered a destination presentation highlighting L.A.’s TMD hotels, air service to LAX, LAX’s modernization, Private Suite at LAX, the newest visitor offerings and only-in-L.A. experiences.

2018 Global Destination Marketing Summit
China Regional Director Kate Chang was invited to participate in the 2018 Global Destination Marketing Summit and World Culture &Tourism Forum hosted by Ctrip on April 19, 2018. At the panel discussion themed "New Media and Influence Marketing," Kate shared best practices on how L.A. Tourism has been promoting the destination and LAX Airport through new media. At the Forum, Los Angeles was awarded a Top 10 Luxury Tourist Destinations Award by Ctrip International Travel Service Co., Ltd.

BrandUSA U.K. Mega FAM
In partnership with BrandUSA, L.A. Tourism hosted a destination awareness visit for 13 top travel professionals from the U.K. and Ireland who focus on selling Los Angeles and LAX Airport from April 26 – 28, 2018. The music-themed educational trip showcased only-in-L.A. experiences including Universal Studios Hollywood, Dolby Theater, Grammy Museum and more.

Travel Trade Trainings – Germany
L.A. Tourism’s Germany representative Ines Niehues conducted destination trainings with 22 German service center agents on April 19 & 23, sharing the latest L.A. products and offerings including L.A. Insider, the new online education tool.  

Virgin Holiday’s Headquarters Visit
L.A. Tourism’s U.K. office visited Virgin Holiday’s Headquarters to promote the new L.A. Insider training tool to their senior product team and call center staff.  In addition, the senior product team received the latest updates on new L.A. products and developments to better sell the destination.
 
Northern England & Scotland Joint Training
L.A. Tourism’s U.K. office, alongside U.K reps from Santa Monica Travel & Tourism & Visit West Hollywood, conducted a series of destination training sessions in Northern England and Scotland across three days. A total 80 agents from top tour operators, Gold Medal, Travel 2 and Barrhead Travel received updates on direct air service to LAX as well as the newest L.A. attractions, hotels, and products including the L.A. Insider training tool.

Abbotts Travel Training
L.A. Tourism’s U.K. office visited Abbots Travel, a luxury travel specialist, to provide a training session for a group of eight staff. The group received an overview of Los Angeles, including updates on the newest destination attractions, hotels and products.

Travel Impressions – “Best of the Best”
L.A. Tourism’s International team hosted a breakfast seminar for 250 top travel agents from across Mexico at the 4th annual Travel Impressions “Best of the Best” event in Cabo San Lucas held from April 21-24, 2018. Agents received the latest destination updates highlighting LAX Airport’s modernization, upcoming Automated People Mover as well as new developments.

InterJet Airlines FAM
L.A. Tourism’s International team, in partnership along with Interjet Airlines, hosted a destination awareness trip for nine travel agents from Leon, Mexico to promote the airline’s new direct service from BJX, which launched in November 2017. The group’s educational itinerary showcased only-in-L.A. experiences including OUE Skyspace, Dodger Stadium, TAO Restaurant, Warner Bros. Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Hollywood, Venice Beach as well as the new King Tut exhibit at California Science Center.


 

L.A. Tourism’s Sales team hosted nearly 50 hotel and venue partners at its annual MeetL.A. Exchange at The Globe Theatre at Universal Studios Hollywood on April 9, 2018. Sales staff conducted more than 460 one-on-one appointments with partners to share key updates, learn about the latest developments as well as discuss new ways to collaborate in selling the destination for meetings and events.   

The Sales team executed a mission to the Southeast region as they conducted sales calls and hosted several client events in Atlanta, GA, connecting with more than 75 clients on behalf of L.A. Tourism’s members. Members including The Line Hotel and Loews Hollywood Hotel also participated in this mission.
 

In April 2018, L.A. Tourism’s Communications team hosted four press trips, beginning with a visit from China’s top-tier publication, Lonely Planet. The group’s educational itinerary focused on L.A.’s major cultural institutions including The Broad, The Getty Center, LACMA, California Science Center, Petersen Automotive Museum, Hammer Museum and The Getty Villa. They also experienced shopping at Westfield Century City and The Original Farmers Market, and enjoyed outdoor activities with Sunset Ranch Hollywood and Bikes & Hikes LA. Accommodations were hosted by InterContinental Hotel Los Angeles Downtown.

The team hosted an editor from Vogue Korea from April 16 – 20 as she explored the destination for future editorial coverage. Accommodations were hosted by Kimpton Everly Hotel Hollywood.

Following the second weekend of the Coachella music festival, Visit California partnered with the team to host 15 lifestyle media for future editorial coverage of the destination. The group’s itinerary showcased unique ways to detox and relax in L.A. with experiences at The Getty Villa and the rooftop at Ace Hotel Downtown, among others. Accommodations were hosted by H Hotel Los Angeles.

During the last week of the month, the team arranged a destination awareness trip for five journalists from India. The group became immersed in signature L.A. lifestyle offerings including Bikes & Hikes LA, Griffith Observatory, OUE SkyspaceLA, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, Dolby Theatre and Aqua Surf School. Dining experiences included a welcome dinner at 71 Above and lunch at Rose Café & Restaurant in Venice. Accommodations were hosted by Hotel Erwin and Millennium Biltmore Hotel.