Los Angeles Tourism at Work - December 2019

UAE & India Sales Mission
From November 9-15, Councilmember Curren Price Jr., Los Angeles Tourism President & CEO Ernest Wooden Jr. along with West Hollywood Travel & Tourism Board and Marina Del Rey Convention & Visitors Board led a tourism delegation to United Arab Emirates and India. The mission aimed at strengthening key industry relationships and generating tourism demand for Los Angeles. The delegation travelled to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, New Dehli and Mumbai, meeting with airlines partners such as Etihad Airways, Emirates and Air India, travel trade and media.

Japan Airlines KIX FAM - Asia
Los Angeles Tourism hosted a familiarization trip for 11 product managers from travel agencies and tour operators from Osaka, Japan in partnership with Japan Airlines to promote direct air service between KIX and LAX. From November 13-15 participants experienced improvements underway at LAX, and visited such as Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, The Original Farmers Market, OUE Skyspace and Citadel Outlets.

Cheongyang-Gun City Delegation - Asia
Los Angeles Tourism welcomed six South Korean tourism delegates from Cheongyang-Gun County on November 5 to learn how DMOs market destinations and employ best practices.  Senior Director of Intl. Tourism Stephanie Nakasone presented an overview of Los Angeles Tourism followed by a cultural gift exchange.

China Ministry of Culture & Tourism
On November 11, a 21-member delegation led by Deputy Director General Li, Xiaoyong visited Los Angeles to learn best practices in the sports and entertainment industry. The delegation received a presentation on tourism from Patti MacJennett, senior vice president business affairs; Stephanie Nakasone, senior director international tourism; and Rachel Che, China tourism manager. Allison Citelli, director events and business development at Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission, gave a presentation on the organization’s mission and the industry’s impact on tourism and the local economy.

Kuoni Switzerland FAM
In partnership with New World Travel, Los Angeles Tourism hosted 14 travel agents from Kuoni, Switzerland to experience Los Angeles as a premiere luxury destination. From November 9-10, participants explored Downtown L.A. and Hollywood with visits to Universal Studios Hollywood and Griffith Observatory.

DialAFlight/Lotus Group FAM

In partnership with Air New Zealand, Los Angeles Tourism hosted a luxury-themed familiarization trip for seven DialAFlight/Lotus Group travel advisors from November 20-21. The group experienced highlights of the Downtown Los Angeles region including LEVEL DTLA, NoMad Los Angeles and Cartwheel Art Tours.

China Eastern Airlines Appreciation and Award Ceremony
On November 18, Los Angeles Tourism attended China Eastern Airlines Appreciation and Award Ceremony at Four Seasons Hotel Beverly Hills. The team received information on the airline’s market, fleet and guest services in Los Angeles. Networking with Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Los Angeles, China General Chamber of Commerce and local travel agents proceeded the ceremony.  

Italy Travel Agency Sales Blitz – Italy  
Los Angeles Tourism Italy organized a travel agent sales blitz in Milan, Italy aimed at increasing awareness of L.A. as a vacation destination in the Italian market. The team provided attending travel agents such as AG. Viaggi S’Ambroeus, Ulisse 2000, and Lombard Gate with information on the city’s offerings and the L.A. Insider online training program.

Travel Counsellors Conference – UK
In November, Los Angeles Tourism UK attended the annual Travel Counsellors Conference in Manchester. UK Travel Counsellors is a franchise tour operator that allows attendees to their conference the chance to network with 1,300 Travel Counsellors from the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, UAE, South Africa and Australia. During the conference, the team showcased L.A. product updates to attendees over two days of programming.  

Visit California Breakfast Club & Argus Reisen North America Day – Germany
Los Angeles Tourism attended the Visit California Breakfast Club in Duesseldorf, Germany on November 20 and Argus Reisen North America Day on November 21 in Goettingen, Germany. During the events the team trained 45 sales agents on Los Angeles which included updates on the city’s offerings and the L.A. Insider online training program.

Univairmer Convention – France
Los Angeles Tourism France attended Univairmer's Convention from November 9-10. The convention provided an opportunity to host a training workshop for 50 travel agents on the L.A. product as well as numerous networking opportunities with 180 key travel professionals.

Lunch Training with Visiteurs – France
In partnership with tour operator Visiteurs, Los Angeles Tourism France organized a training for six travel agents in Montpellier, France on November 27. Agents received information on upcoming hotel properties and activities as well as an invitation to complete L.A. Insider online training program.

Travel News Market – Scandinavia 
Los Angeles Tourism Scandinavia exhibited at the Travel News Market in Stockholm on November 7—the largest travel trade show in Sweden. More than 1,400 Scandinavian travel professionals attended the show including tour operators, agents and airlines whom the team met with to share Los Angeles updates.

Visit California Lunch and Learn – Scandinavia
Los Angeles Tourism Scandinavia and Visit California organized a California training luncheon on November 20 in Copenhagen, Denmark for eight key tour operators. The training focused on hotels and new Los Angeles offerings.

Kilroy Travels Evening Training – Scandinavia
Los Angeles Tourism Scandinavia organized an evening training on November 20 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Nine staff from Kilroy Travels received information on hotels, Los Angeles offerings and LA Insider online training program.

Discover America Sweden Thanksgiving – Scandinavia
In partnership with Brand USA, Los Angeles Tourism Scandinavia organized the Discover America Thanksgiving event at the Hard Rock Café on November 28 in Stockholm. Sixteen guests from the US Embassy, American Chamber of Commerce, airlines and tour operators attended the event.

LA Insider Training Completion Blitz – Scandinavia
Los Angeles Tourism Scandinavia met with 14 regional agencies to showcase the L.A. Insider online training program. Attendees also received updates on Los Angeles’ latest offerings.

iTravel Training Seminar
Travel trade manager Oceania Kat Finneran conducted sales calls and a training seminar at iTravel, the leading travel agency for performing school groups, in Sydney. The seminar for 10 top travel agents covered the LAX modernization program and information on the best L.A. hotel options for visiting school groups.

LA Insider CLUB Auckland

In November, Los Angeles Tourism’s Oceania office hosted an LA Insider club event for 50 travel agents in partnership with Universal Studios Hollywood, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood and Six Flags Magic Mountain. The L.A.-inspired tiki bar event in Auckland provided travel agents with updates on air service from New Zealand to LAX and the LAX Modernization Program, Los Angeles hotels, tour packages and attractions. During a manicure session, guests could design their own palm tree nail art while receiving training on the LA Insider online training program.

New Zealand Trade & MICE Thanksgiving Event
Los Angeles Tourism’s Oceania office and MICE Sales team celebrated Thanksgiving in Auckland with a client event for 30 leading trade, airline and MICE partners in the market. Regional Director Oceania & Southeast Asia Craig Gibbons and MICE Sales Director Oceania Sue Boyle provided guests with updates on the New Zealand market and showcased new 2020 product for L.A. hotels and attractions.

Brand USA In-house Trainings in Guangzhou and Shenzhen
Los Angeles Tourism’s Guangzhou office attended seven in-house trainings hosted by Brand USA in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, China from November 4-8. A total of 100 operators and sales managers attended the trainings where the Los Angeles Tourism team delivered presentations on LAX modernization and non-stop air service between Southern China and LAX. The Mini Products 2.0 and L.A. Travel Trade Knowledge Bank products were also highlighted.

In-house Trainings in Shanghai
In November, 29 travel professionals from Shanghai Meiyan and Trip.com attended two in-house trainings conducted by Los Angeles Tourism’s Shanghai office. The team presented updates on L.A. Travel Knowledge Bank and Mini Products 2.0, LAX terminal offerings and current air services between China and LAX.

In-house Trainings in Chengdu
In November, Los Angeles Tourism’s Chengdu office conducted two in-house trainings for Sichuan Business Travel Service and Yijing Travel. A total of 13 operators and sales professionals attended the trainings where the team presented on direct air service from China to LAX with emphasis on the CTU/CKG-LAX by Hainan Airlines, and the LAX modernization program. Los Angeles product updates for hotels and attractions, Mini Products/Packages 1.0 & 2.0 and L.A. Travel Trade Knowledge Bank were also shared.

In-house Trainings at CITS Shenzhen and Glorious Travel
Los Angeles Tourism’s Guangzhou office conducted two in-house trainings in Shenzhen on November 22 where 30 tour operators and sales managers of CITS Shenzhen and Glorious Travel attended. The team shared information on LAX modernization and available non-stop air service between L.A., Shenzhen, Hong Kong. L.A. Mini Products 2.0 version and L.A. Travel Knowledge Bank were also highlighted for attendees.

In-house Trainings in Beijing
In November, Los Angeles Tourism’s Beijing office organized two in-house trainings at CCITS and Nasitu Travel. Training focused on non-stop air services from China to LAX, L.A. Mini Products/Packages 1.0 and 2.0, the newly updated Los Angeles Tourism trade WeChat account. A total of 15 participants, including sales, product and operations managers from the tour operators, attended.

Tour Launch with Visit California and Spring Tours
In partnership with Visit California and Spring Tours, Los Angeles Tourism’s Shanghai office hosted an event on November 22 for 26 trade professionals and media. The event celebrated a new tour packaged curated by the three organizations which includes roundtrip LAX flights and a 5-night L.A. stay. The team also shared information with attendees on L.A. Mini Products, L.A. Travel Knowledge Bank as well as direct air service routes between Shanghai and L.A. and LAX modernization program updates.

Roadshow with Capital Region USA and United Airlines
On November 15, Los Angeles Tourism’s Guangzhou office collaborated with Capital Region USA and United Airlines to conduct a culinary tourism roadshow. 30 total trade operators, sales and product managers attended the event where staff delivered a presentation on LAX modernization program, and non-stop air service between South China and LAX. The city’s newest offerings were also showcased including Michelin-starred restaurants, the Big Bang Theory set at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, L.A. Travel Knowledge Bank and Mini Products 2.0.

Club California in Changsha
Los Angeles Tourism’s Shanghai office participated in Club California event in Changsha from November 14-16. The team held 11 appointments with travel agents, wholesalers, OTAs and receptive tour operators. The trade professionals received updates on L.A. Mini Products/Packages, L.A. Travel Trade Knowledge Bank, LAX modernization program and direct air service between LAX and China.

Events with DISTA in Nanchang and Guangzhou
In November, Los Angeles Tourism’s Guangzhou office conducted a series of roadshows and trainings with DISTA, one of the biggest wholesalers in South China. A total of 80 tour operators, sales and product managers attended the events in Nanchang and Guangzhou. The team shared information on the newest offerings in Los Angeles, LAX modernization and non-stop air service between China and LAX.

IBTM World 2019
In November, the international MICE team exhibited at IBTM World in Barcelona where 15,500 meetings, events and incentives industry decision makers attended this year’s gathering. The team met with 123 prospective clients, including top global meeting planners and buyers, over the 3-day conference. InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, Marriott Hotels International - Los Angeles and SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills partnered at the L.A. booth.

In partnership with United Airlines, the Communications team co-hosted a familiarization trip for future editorial coverage for five Australian media from Nov. 3 - 9, 2019. In support of the airline's new route between Melbourne and San Francisco, media boarded a connecting flight to LAX to showcase California’s two main gateways for the Australian market. The group enjoyed only-in-L.A. experiences from Bikes & Hikes LA, Handlebar Bike Tours and ROW DTLA. Accommodations were provided by Loews Hollywood Hotel and Hotel Figueroa.
 

From November 10-14, two media from UK and Mexico attended a familiarization trip centered on the film “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” for future editorial coverage. Media toured the Dolby Theatre, rode horses at Sunset Ranch Hollywood, visited Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood and dined at Beauty & Essex. Special experiences on the trip included a press junket for the film hosted by Sony and a live taping of "The Jimmy Kimmel Show." Accommodations were provided by The Garland.

From November 14-19, five media from China visited L.A. for future editorial coverage centered on the city’s buzzing sports scene. Media joined exciting tours of Dodger Stadium, Staples Center, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the upcoming SoFi Stadium. LA Rams safety Taylor Rapp met with the group for an interview at Sheraton Hotel DTLA. Experiences with AquaSurf School, The Bloc, Tom’s Urban LA Live, The Fields LA and a culinary tour of LAX rounded out their educational itinerary. Accommodations were provided by The Hoxton, LA and Hotel Erwin.

Also in November, the team hosted the three women behind the podcast Black Girls Texting at the newly-opened Hoxton, Los Angeles for a chic girls-themed weekend for future podcast coverage. The group explored L.A.’s diverse cultural and wellness offerings including The Highlight Room at Dream Hollywood Hotel, DAMA at City Market South and Pilot, the new rooftop restaurant and bar at The Hoxton.
 

On November 20, the team hosted a Greater Los Angeles DMO meeting for the communications teams from Santa Monica Travel and Tourism, Love Beverly Hills, Visit Marina Del Rey, Visit West Hollywood and Visit Pasadena. Each destination presented PR plans for the fiscal year along with a brainstorming session on new ways to collaborate in 2020.