Los Angeles Tourism at Work - May 2019

Millennial Travel Forum
Los Angeles was the first U.S. destination to host travAlliancemedia’s Millennial Travel Forum. From March 31 - April 4, Millennial Travel Forum was attended by travel experts who were hand-selected based on sales volume, social media following, industry award and accolades, and affiliation with L.A.’s top domestic markets.

Los Angeles Tourism hosted 13 domestic millennial travel advisors who explored the iconic L.A. locations, promoting the city as a top leisure destination on their social channels along the way. The forum featured two all-day L.A. experiences followed by one day dedicated to B2B engagement sessions, which were exclusive to activities and attractions members only.

For the program, the team partnered with two boutique lifestyle hotels: The NoMad Hotel Los Angeles and the LEVEL Downtown Los Angeles; and curated an itinerary of experiential activities such as an LA Galaxy match, sunrise yoga at OUE Skyspace, a walking food tour, and a Westfield shopping experience.

 

Visit CA Sales Mission
Los Angeles Tourism’s South Korea representative, Michaela Lee, participated in the 2019 Visit California Asia Sales and Media Mission held at JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul from April 7-9, 2019. On April 8, Michaela engaged in travel mart sessions with travel agents, sharing the latest destination and LAX updates. Collateral was distributed to agents following each meeting to serve as a resource on L.A. On April 9, Michaela attended sales calls hosted by Hana Tour, Tidesquare and WAUG to gain a better understanding of the Korean travel trade landscape.

American Airlines FAM
Los Angeles Tourism partnered with American Airlines to host a Japan travel agent FAM from April 18-20, 2019. The group stayed at Hilton Los Angeles Airport and visited several only-in-L.A. experiences including Battleship IOWA, Grand Central Market, Westfield Century City, Original Farmers Market, Angel’s Flight, OUE Skyspace, The Broad, Hollywood & Highland, Griffith Observatory and Cliff’s Edge.

LEGENDS China Tour
Los Angeles Tourism teams in Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing participated in VIP dinners and trade training events organized by LEGENDS Group, the operators behind OUE Skyspace. Teams learned about LEGENDS' China business plan, tourism and sports-related offerings in L.A., and promoted direct air service to LAX. Beijing Trade Marketing Manager Angela Li conducted in-house training sessions at Golden Twilight Travel and Great Wall Travel, providing destination updates on both occasions.

VCA China Sales and Media Mission
Los Angeles Tourism PR representatives from HQ and China participated in a five-day Visit CA China Sales and Media Mission in Chengdu. The team met with over 30 of China’s leading tour operators, where they promoted the latest direct air service into LAX, L.A. mini-product and e-training programs, and identified potential trade opportunities. The Chengdu team also conducted in-house training sessions at Champion Holidays, Chengdu Global Tourism, Chengdu Overseas International and Chongqing Glorious International.

Spring Travel Conference
Los Angeles Tourism’s Shanghai office participated in Spring Travel's annual staff conference. JoAn Lu, trade marketing manager in Shanghai, provided destination updates to 140 managers from Spring Travel, representative of a combined volume of over 16,000 visitors to the US. 

Brand USA South China Roadshow
Los Angeles Tourism’s Guangzhou office participated in Brand USA’s South China Roadshow in Xiamen and Shenzhen, delivering an informative presentation to over 200 travel agents from the two provinces. They have visited key trade contacts along the way, and journeyed to South China's Guangxi province, the third province they visited in a month to support

In support of a roadshow organized by Dista Travel, one of South China's major wholesalers, the team visited key trade contacts in three provinces, highlighting air service development between China and LAX, the upcoming Academy Museum, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, and L.A.'s newest hotels and attractions.

Hainan Airlines XIY-LAX FAM
In partnership with Hainan Airlines and Visit West Hollywood, Los Angeles Tourism hosted a FAM for a group of 13 travel trade agents from Beijing and Xi’an April 11-18, 2019 to promote the new Xi’an (XIY) – LAX route. The itinerary showcased a wide variety of Los Angeles experiences including Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood’s Mandarin tour, Universal Studios Hollywood’s Express Experience, The Broad, Grand Central Market, Citadel Outlets, Catalina Island, The Original Farmers Market, Petersen Automotive Museum and Beverly Center, among many others. Accommodations were provided by Westin Los Angeles Airport and Best Western Sunset Plaza.

Arabian Travel Market 

Los Angeles Tourism’s Europe office exhibited at Arabian Travel Market, the leading travel show in the Middle East, in Dubai. Attracting 38,0000 travel professionals across the four-day event, the tradeshow connects staff with key tour operators and airlines from the region to highlight L.A. product.  Los Angeles Tourism exhibited at the Visit California stand and were joined by West Hollywood Travel & Tourism Board and The Private Suite LAX.

Air Italy Inaugural Event - Europe
In support of Air Italy’s new direct service from Milan, the Europe office attended the airline’s gala dinner at the InterContinental Downtown LA.  The event was hosted by Air Italy COO Rossen Dimitrov, attracting L.A.-based travel trade and industry partners. The service commenced on April 3, operating four times weekly.

Finnair Inaugural Event - Europe
In support of Finnair’s new direct service from Helsinki, the Los Angeles Tourism team attended the airline’s event at The London West Hollywood hotel in LA.  The event was attended by Finnair staff, codeshare airlines and travel trade partners. The flight launched of March 31, flying three times weekly.

Dertour Deluxe Talk & Dine - Europe 
Los Angeles Tourism’s Germany rep attended a travel agent event organized by Dertour Deluxe, a leading German deluxe tour operator, with 37 deluxe travel agents in Hamburg on April 9.  Travel agents received a destination training for the newest L.A. offerings, focusing on the L.A. Insider online training program.

Faszination Fernweh AgencyTraining – Europe
Los Angeles Tourism’s Germany rep conducted a destination training for five agents at Faszination Fernweh in Weinheim on April 24. Faszination Fernweh is a boutique tour operator known for their destination expertise and tailor-made trips. Training highlighted L.A. news and updates, focusing on the L.A. Insider online training program.

TUI USA Training Day, France - Europe
Los Angeles Tourism’s France office participated in a TUI USA training day in Paris on April 2. Travel agents were given a full presentation on L.A including an overview of the L.A. Insider online training program.
 

Secrets de Voyage Training, France – Europe
Los Angeles Tourism’s France office conducted a luxury focused training for Secrets de Voyages, luxury tour operator, in Paris on April 4.  Travel designers learned about the Private Suite at LAX as well as L.A.’s newest luxury hotels. 

Toulouse Airport Workshop, France - Europe
Los Angeles Tourism’s France office participated in a Toulouse workshop in southeast France on April 18. More than 100 travel agents received the Los Angeles presentation highlighting new destination hotels and activities. The L.A. Insider online training module and French website were also showcased as selling tools.   

MeetLA Exchange 2019
The 6th annual MeetLA Exchange was a major success, providing an opportunity for L.A.'s hospitality community to meet face-to-face with Los Angeles Tourism's sales team to share information about the latest venue updates throughout the city. Held at the Banc of California Stadium Founder’s Club on April 2, the event attracted 120 professionals with over 480 appointments. The event featured prominent speakers including Jill Przelenski, VP of Special Event Sales for LAFC and Curren D. Price, Jr., Council Member for the 9th District. Partners including the Delta Meetings Network were also in attendance. Following the event, attendees networked at a reception at Freeplay inside The Fields which next door to the stadium. Thank you to everyone involved for making this year’s event the best Exchange yet!

In April, the Communications team partnered with Visit West Hollywood, Pasadena Convention and Visitors Bureau and Santa Monica Travel & Tourism to create an immersive experience for media based in New York City. Attending media experienced hidden gem neighborhood offerings from across the region that were brought to life such as a replicate Original Farmers Market with historic vendors Magee’s Nuts and Marconda Meats.
 

In addition to the event, the team conducted one-on-one appointments with key editors at several publications based in New York including Departures, Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure, sharing what’s new and trending in L.A. Media appointments were also secured for prominent L.A. chef Mei Lin of Nightshade, who highlighted L.A.’s hot culinary scene with outlets such as VICE, Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, Thrillist and Rachel Ray.

In celebration of Air Italy’s new direct service from Milan to LAX Airport, a group of Italian journalists experienced the inaugural flight and enjoyed a familiarization tour of Los Angeles for future coverage. The group enjoyed experiences at NoMad Los Angeles, Westfield Century City, LACMA, Universal Studios Hollywood and Griffith Observatory. Accommodations were hosted by Hotel Indigo.
 

Also in April, the team hosted a familiarization tour for media hailing from China for future editorial coverage. Media explored L.A.’s diverse neighborhoods with experiences such as paddleboard yoga with YogAqua; visits to MOCA, Westfield Century City; and dining at DAMA and Grand Central Market. Accommodations were provided by Hotel Erwin and The Mayfair Hotel.
 

In partnership with Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, the team hosted a familiarization tour for a group of media from India for future editorial coverage. The group experienced a show at Hollywood’s Black Rabbit Rose; a Dolby Theatre tour; a horseback ride at Sunset Ranch Hollywood; visits to Beverly Center, The Broad, MOCA, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood; and dining at The Bazaar by Jose Andres, DAMA, and Public Kitchen & Bar at Hollywood Roosevelt. Accommodations were hosted by the Ace Hotel Downtown.
 

Lastly, 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. The editor experienced what’s new and trending in L.A.’s meetings landscape 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.