May 2018 News & Notes

L.A. Tourism announced Los Angeles County’s record-setting 48.5 million visitors pumped an all-time high $22.7 billion directly into the L.A. economy in 2017, generating a record $34.9 billion in total economic impact (including the induced and indirect benefits). President & CEO Ernest Wooden Jr., LACTD Executive Director Doane Liu, TMD Chairman Javier Cano shared these results with L.A. City Council during National Travel & Tourism Week, an annual event established by Congress and organized by the U.S. Travel Association to celebrate the power of travel.

In 2017, Los Angeles welcomed 41.2 million domestic visitors; and 7.3 million international visitors, a final total that exceeds a previously reported estimate. The revised total was increased by 160,000 additional visitors from overseas markets that include China (increase of 60,000 to 1.12 million) and South Korea (increase of 30,000 to 340,000). Total visitation overall grew 2.6% in 2017 over 2016 while international visitation grew 3.2% year-over-year.

Tourism supported 523,800 jobs in L.A. County’s Leisure & Hospitality sector, one of the area’s largest and strongest economic sectors, employing 1 in every 8.5 workers. The tourism industry contributed to the second largest addition of new jobs last year across all industry sectors with 13,900.

“We’re breaking tourism records year after year, because Los Angeles has always been a place that welcomes the world,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “This National Travel and Tourism Week, I’m proud to celebrate our thriving tourism industry as an economic engine that drives L.A. forward. And with upcoming attractions like the Lucas Museum and the 2028 Olympic Games, our incredible story is just beginning.”  

L.A. County’s hotels set all-time highs in 2017 for room nights sold (demand) at 29.4 million and average daily rate (ADR) at $175.98. Travelers generated a record $283.9 million in transient occupancy tax collections (TOT) for the City of L.A., a 14.3% year-over-year increase. These dollars are a critical revenue source for the City, used to fund local street repair, fire and police, as well as cultural and recreational services. Direct visitor spend in 2017 was $800 million higher than 2016’s total, an increase of 3.9%. Tourism contributed $2.74 billion in state and local tax revenues last year. Without tourism, every household in L.A. County would pay an additional $837 in taxes.

 

Now thru July 6, BEYOND THE STREETS (BTS) is the premier exhibition of graffiti, street art and beyond, celebrating the soaring heights to which the world’s most recognizable modern art movement has risen. Curated by author and historian Roger Gastman, graffiti’s foremost authority, BTS is a groundbreaking multimedia showcase of paintings, sculpture, photography, installations and more throughout 40,000+ square feet of industrial indoor and outdoor space.

Over 100 artists featured, including Shepard Fairey, Jason REVOK, FUTURA 2000, LADY PINK, Lee Quiñones, INVADER, HAZE, SWOON, Guerrilla Girls, Barry McGee, Stephen Powers, CHAZ, FAILE, Kenny Scharf, Dash Snow, Jenny Holzer, C.R. Stecyk III, Felipe Pantone, Maripol, RETNA, Gordon Matta-Clark, Martha Cooper, TAKI 183 plus Dennis Hopper, Takashi Murakami, Mark Mothersbaugh and many more iconic artists.

For its inaugural show in Los Angeles, BTS pays homage to its host city’s role as a diverse epicenter of art and culture of both past and present.

Los Angeles Tourism is a suporting partner of the show along with adidas Skateboarding, Modernica, Montana Colors, NPR and Steel Partners Foundation.

For tickets and more information, visit https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/beyondthestreets

L.A. Tourism's 'Everyone is Welcome' initiative and activation won a '2018 Webby People's Voice' award for its advertising, media and PR work on a real-time response campaign. Voted on by the public, the category honored advertising campaigns that use real-time information to create relevant messaging or react to current events in a brand-centric way.

The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, honoring  websites, film & video, advertising, media & PR, mobile sites & apps, social, podcasts & digital audio and games.

Roy Lichtenstein (1923–1997) was one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century. Renowned for his representations of everyday objects and his inventive interplay of line, dot, and color, Lichtenstein created cartoon-inspired paintings that helped launch the Pop Art movement.

Organized by the Skirball Cultural Center in Brentwood, Pop for the People: Roy Lichtenstein in L.A. explores how the artist and the movement—buoyed by a renaissance in printmaking in Los Angeles—made fine art accessible to the American public in ways that had not been achieved before. Pop for the People examines the historical and cultural context of Lichtenstein’s life and work, and also considers the social impact of Pop Art, especially as it developed in L.A.

Los Angeles Tourism & American Airlines Present: India & China: Travel Profiles and Opportunities:

When: Wednesday, June 6, from 9:30 - 11 a.m.
Where: Convene: 333 S Grand Avenue, 3rd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Agenda:
•    9:30am-10am: Registration & Networking
•    10am-10:30am: Kathy Smits, VP, Tourism - Los Angeles Tourism
•    10:30am-10:45am: Wendy Kheel, VP, Tourism Insights, Los Angeles Tourism
•    10:45am-11am: Kyle Mabry & Suzanne Boda, American Airlines
•    11am: Venue tours

Parking: Complimentary valet parking available. Please see attached instructions.
 

AAA forecasts more than 41.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles over Memorial Day Weekend, the highest volume since 2005. 36.6 million travelers will choose to drive, the fourth straight year that highway traffic will increase over the holiday weekend. Air travel will register the highest growth of all travel modes, with an expected 6.8 percent increase to 3.13 million, AAA said.

In March 2018, Los Angeles Convention Center reported the average exhibit hall occupancy was 78%, with West Hall
booked over 90% of the month. Nearly 160,000 attendees came to the LACC during March with citywides and major local events generating an estimated $42 million in total economic impact for Los Angeles.

Transient occupancy tax (TOT) collections for the City's General Fund totaled approximately $24.3 million during March 2018, bringing the cumulative fiscal year total to $217.9 million. This is $9.5 million (4.6%) higher than the Adopted Budget, and $24.4 million (12.6%) higher than the same time last year.