Los Angeles Tourism at Work - June 2019

Air New Zealand Incentive FAM
In partnership with Air New Zealand, Los Angeles Tourism hosted a FAM for a group of 11 travel trade agents from May 13-17, 2019 to promote the Auckland to LAX route. The itinerary showcased a wide variety of Los Angeles experiences, including Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, Universal Studios Hollywood’s Express Experience, Disneyland, Citadel Outlets, Getty Center and a Dodgers game. Accommodations were provided by The Kimpton Everly Hotel and Sheraton Universal Hotel.

Delta Air Lines Training - Melbourne
In partnership with Delta Airlines, Los Angeles Tourism hosted a travel agent training seminar in Melbourne, Australia for tour operator Mogul Ski on May 6, 2019. Kathleen Finneran, travel trade manager, provided attendees with product updates and package ideas for LAX pre-and post-ski stopovers, which are unique to the Australian market traveler. Agents were also provided information on LAX’s modernization and Delta’s new T3 operations program.

ILTM Asia Pacific – Singapore
Los Angeles Tourism exhibited at the ILTM Asia Pacific trade show in Singapore from May 27-30, 2019. Craig Gibbons, regional director, and Kathleen Finneran, travel trade manager, provided updates on luxury travel product in Los Angeles and LAX’s latest offerings. Members including NoMad Hotel Los Angeles, London West Hollywood and Beverly Center also exhibited at the Los Angeles booth.

Spago Client Event – Singapore
Los Angeles Tourism partnered with Beverly Hills CVB for a client event at Spago on May 28 during ILTM Asia Pacific. A total 30 guests savoured Spago’s famous California cuisine from the rooftop at Marina Bay Sands Singapore while learning about what makes Los Angeles a premier travel destination from Craig Gibbons, regional director. Members such as NoMad Hotel Los Angeles, London West Hollywood and Beverly Center were also in attendance.

American Tours International Training
On May 1, Los Angeles Tourism conducted a destination training for 20 staff members at American Tours International, the largest American-owned receptive tour operator in the United States. The training highlighted L.A. news and updates, including the LAX airport modernization program and the L.A. Insider online training program.

Visit California and Air Italy Inaugural Flight FAM
In partnership with Visit California and Air Italy, Los Angeles Tourism hosted a group of booking supervisors from top Italian tour operators May 11-13, 2019. The FAM highlighted Air Italy's new, non-stop service to Los Angeles from Milan. The educational itinerary showcased experiences throughout Los Angeles including Starline Tours, the Original Farmers Market, the Petersen Automotive Museum, Westfield Century City, and Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood. Accommodations were provided by AC Hotel Beverly Hills.

Discover America Sweden
Los Angeles Tourism Scandinavia participated in the Discover America Seminar in Norrköping on May 16, which attracted 30 travel professionals. Throughout the tradeshow, the team presented the latest L.A. updates and participated in a workshop with key Scandinavian tour operators, agencies and airlines, to highlight L.A. product.

MAGnificent Trade Event – U.K.
Los Angeles Tourism UK exhibited at the MAGnificent Trade Event, organized by Manchester Airport.  The event was attended to complement the new direct air service with Virgin Atlantic from Manchester to Los Angeles, which commenced on May 26, 2019. Throughout the event, staff met with travel agents to highlight L.A. product available to their clients and promote the new upcoming flight.

Macadam Spirit Meeting - France
Los Angeles Tourism France met with the new product manager at Macadam Spirit to provide updates on Los Angeles and LAX, including new hotels, new openings, trendy restaurants and new French-language offerings.

Terres Lointaines Training - France
Los Angeles Tourism France presented to the Lyon team at Terres Lointaines on May 24. U.S. specialists were provided with news and updates on L.A. with a focus on the L.A. Insider online training program as a key resource to sell a perfect city trip to their clients.

Destination Amérique Meeting - France
On May 24, Los Angeles Tourism France met with Destination Amérique a travel agency in Lyon belonging to the Séléctour Network to provide updates on L.A., LAX, and the L.A. Insider online training program as a daily tool for sales and client advisory. 

Visit USA Workshop - Germany
Los Angeles Tourism Germany attended a travel agent event organized by the Visit USA Committee Germany in Stuttgart and Ludwigshafen on May 14 on May 15, respectively. Travel agents were provided with the latest destination updates and the L.A. Insider online training program was shared as a resource to deepen their product knowledge.  

China Sales Trip 2019
Los Angeles Tourism held its third consecutive China Sales Trip in Shanghai, Suzhou and Guangzhou from May 13–21, 2019. During the nine-day event, staff showcased the best of L.A. as a destination to both corporate and trade audiences. Members and partners, including Beverly Center, Beverly Center, Citadel Outlets Los Angeles, LEVEL Furnished Living DTLA, Sheraton Los Angeles San Gabriel, Universal Studios Hollywood, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, West Hollywood Travel + Tourism Board participated in the sales mission, promoting their unique offerings to key decision makers.

In-house Training at 6renyou.com
On May 10, Los Angeles Tourism’s Beijing office conducted an in-house training at 6renyou.com with focus on high-end and tailor-made products. During the training, staff delivered a presentation on nonstop air service from China to LAX and provided the latest updates on the airport’s modernization.

In-house Training at Jinguan Travel

On May 13, 2019, Los Angeles Tourism’s Beijing office conducted an in-house training for Jinguan Travel, a new travel company that focuses on high-end and tailor-made products. Staff delivered a presentation on direct air service from China to LAX, particularly the new nonstop routes from Shenyang and Xi’an, LAX's latest modernization projects and shopping at LAX.

Brand USA In-house Trainings

Los Angeles Tourism’s Beijing office joined a series of trainings hosted by Brand USA from May 21-28, 2019 for key travel agents in-market. Los Angeles Tourism’s Beijing office staff delivered presentations on LAX’s modernization developments, shopping at LAX, and provided destination updates.

China Bamboo Garden Shanghai In-house Training

On May 21, 2019, Los Angeles Tourism’s Shanghai office conducted an in-house training for staff of China Bamboo Garden International Travel Service Co., Ltd.’s Shanghai branch. Air service between China and LAX, LAX's latest modernization efforts, and dining & shopping at LAX were highlighted. L.A.'s geography and the latest destination updates were provided, and L.A. Mini Products/Packages and L.A. Angels Academy 1.0+2.0 were introduced as a resource on Los Angeles.

Roadshow with CITS Shenzhen

On May 24, 2019, Los Angeles Tourism collaborated with CITS Shenzhen, a key travel agent focusing on in-depth travel, to conduct a series of training roadshows in the Shenzhen market. During the roadshow, staff delivered a presentation on LAX's airport modernization and nonstop air service from Shenzhen and Hong Kong to LAX on American Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines. Staff also provided attendees with the latest destination and attraction updates to promote L.A. tour packages and staying at member hotels.

BUSA In-house Training

On May 24, 2019, Los Angeles Tourism’s Shanghai office joined a BrandUSA-organized in-house training in Shanghai. Staff delivered a presentation on current air service between LAX and China, LAX's terminals and modernization, and dining & shopping at LAX. L.A. Mini Products/Packages were highlighted and L.A. social media platforms including L.A. Angel Academy 1.0 and 2.0, and L.A. Tourism's trade WeChat account were introduced as a resource for the latest destination information.

DISTA Travel Sales Agent Training
On May 27, 2019, Los Angeles Tourism joined forces with DISTA to deliver a training event for sales agents in Xi'an, a new market currently served by Hainan Airlines, with the goal to better promote L.A. tour packages and LAX as premier port of entry. During the event, staff provided an overview of nonstop air service to LAX, an update on LAX’s newest offerings, shopping and dining facilities, and the latest destination news.

IMEX Frankfurt
Los Angeles Tourism exhibited at IMEX Frankfurt, one of the largest international MICE trade shows attracting 5,100-plus qualified buyers from all industry sectors. Staff met with existing clients from varying markets with a focus on Europe and China and identified new clients from emerging markets for L.A. In addition, five partners, including three area hotels, attended the show. Los Angeles Tourism hosted a dinner and breakfast for Chinese buyers and also attended SITE NITE Europe.

In May, the team spearheaded a nine-day immersive pop-up exhibit of Los Angeles in Shanghai, China, bringing the destination’s iconic neighborhood experiences to HKRI Taikoo Hui, a popular upmarket retail mall. Chinese media, social influencers and consumers enjoyed the multi-sensory activation which showcased quintessential L.A. activities across Downtown, Venice Beach, Hollywood, Westside and the LAX area. The experience also featured a hologram of hip-hop dancer Lil Buck as well as artist Colette Miller’s Angel Wings, created specifically for the event. An exclusive preview event for media, influencers and VIP guests attracted 90 attendees.

Also in May, the Communications team supported dineL.A.’s Burger Trek media preview event at Everson Royce Bar. Local media enjoyed burger samples from Shake Shack, Burger Lords and Everson Royce Bar to promote the release of the Burger Trek guide, highlighting the 32 best burgers in Los Angeles.

Travel Channel’s Nom Voyage series, which follows host Andrew Gunadie as he explores the best places to eat in some of North America’s biggest airports, released the LAX episode that the domestic communications team coordinated earlier this year. The episode featured LAX’s Terminal 1 hot spots: Trejo’s Tacos, Urth Caffé, Beaming, Cassell’s and California Pizza Kitchen. Spokespeople from each of the establishments were also featured.

In an effort to promote the launch of the inaugural Manchester to LAX route on Virgin Atlantic, the team hosted 6 media from the U.K. for editorial destination coverage. The group’s itinerary showcased uniquely L.A. experiences such as visits to Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood and California Science Center; horseback riding at Sunset Ranch Hollywood; a Dodgers baseball game; as well as dining at Rossoblu, The Highlight Room at Dream Hollywood, The Fields LA and Bottega Louie. Accommodations were provided by Level Furnished Living.

The team also hosted two U.K. journalists from the Irish Times and Irish Daily Mirror who experienced visitor offerings in Downtown such as the Ace Hotel Downtown.

A journalist from Australia’s Bauer Media visited Los Angeles for future editorial coverage, visiting Universal Studios Hollywood and the spa at JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE, among other experiences. Accommodations were provided by Dream Hollywood Hotel.

The team hosted an editor from PCMA Convene, a premier meetings and events publication, for editorial coverage to entice meeting professionals to attend PCMA EduCon in Los Angeles this June. He experienced meetings offerings that are new and trending in L.A including Two Bit Circus, Universal Studios Hollywood, Freeplay at The Fields, Banc of California stadium, rooftop venues such as the Highlight Room at Dream Hollywood as well as a tour of the Arts District with Cartwheel Art Tours.

To highlight the power of tourism in L.A. during U.S. Travel Association’s annual National Travel & Tourism Week in May, the team announced that visitors to L.A. pumped a record $23.9 billion into the local economy in 2018. This spend generated $36.6 billion in total economic impact countywide, supporting an all-time high 534,258 jobs while producing record tax revenues. Coverage of the announcement appeared in media outlets such as Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Business Journal, Los Angeles Daily News, KNX-AM, KTLA-TV, KNBC-TV and more.