INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TRADE FAMS, TRADE SHOWS & EVENTS
United Airlines – Melbourne FAM
L.A. Tourism’s Australia office, in partnership with United Airlines, hosted an incentive familiarization trip for a group of 10 top-selling Australian travel agents last month in conjunction with United’s new nonstop service from Melbourne to LAX. The agents experienced LAX’s new electronic immigration kiosks at Tom Bradley International Terminal and stays at Loews Hollywood Hotel and Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel during the educational trip. Their diverse itinerary included Grand Central Market, Universal Studios HollywoodSM, Starline’s TMZ Hollywood Tour, Redline’s Hollywood behind-the-scenes tour, shopping at The Grove, a Hollywood bar crawl tour with Intrepid Urban Adventures and an L.A. Lakers game at Staples Center. During their visit, the agents promoted their experiences via social media using #LAStory.
Japan Airlines FAM
L.A. Tourism, in partnership with Japan Airlines, hosted a corporate and leisure agent familiarization tour to help celebrate the return and launch of Japan Airline’s daily nonstop service between LAX and Osaka’s Kansai International Airport (KIX). The group of travel professionals were among the first to experience the new service, which officially launched March 20. The educational trip included experiences at L.A.’s top destinations including Beverly Hills, LACMA, Universal Studios HollywoodSM and luxury shopping at Santa Monica Place Mall.
Air France Training Day
Representatives from L.A. Tourism attended the 4th edition of Air France’s Visit California Training Day last month. Air France held an exclusive sales training event at Air France’s headquarters in Paris for more than 100 of France’s top-selling travel agents and tour operators. LATCB showcased Los Angeles’ unique selling points, diversity of product and offered insight to agents about maximizing sales opportunities for the destination. Air France sponsored a package of flights to California as grand prizes for the agents, which included stays at Kimpton Hotels in L.A. and experiences at Universal Studio HollywoodSM.
Air China Luxury FAM
L.A. Tourism, in partnership with Air China, hosted a luxury familiarization tour March 28 – April 1. The FAM consisted of nine representatives from travel agencies throughout China’s major cities including Beijing, Guangzhou, Henan and Chengdu. The FAM educated the attendees on L.A.’s new products and ways to drive traffic during off-peak seasons while showcasing luxury experiences including accommodations at InterContinental Century City, visits to Westfield Century City, The Getty Center and Universal Studios HollywoodSM as well as dinner at The Bazaar at SLS Beverly Hills, among others.
Etihad Airlines, Abu Dhabi Trade FAM
L.A. Tourism, in partnership with Etihad Airlines, hosted a familiarization tour March 19-21 to promote Etihad Airlines’ recently launched direct flight from Abu Dhabi UAE to LAX. The attendees consisted of decision makers from some of Etihad Airlines’ top selling agencies. During their educational visit to Los Angeles, the group experienced stays at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles in Beverly Hills, The London West Hollywood; visits to Universal Studios HollywoodSM, Rodeo Dr., Montage Beverly Hills; and dinner at The Bazaar at SLS Beverly Hills, among others. Black and White Car was the exclusive transportation provider for the trip (pictured).
American Airlines - Brazil Flytour FAM
L.A. Tourism, in partnership with American Airlines, hosted a FAM tour March 6-10 for Flytour, one of the largest tour operators in Brazil. The educational trip showcased Los Angeles to help expand Flytour’s leisure product offerings. Attendees consisted of Flytour’s decision makers and their diverse itinerary included stays at Westin Bonaventure, Hilton Universal City and Hotel Angeleno; experiences at The Grammy Museum, Starline Tours, Universal Studios HollywoodSM, The Getty Museum and Madame Tussauds Hollywood; and dining at J.W. Marriott and The Original Farmer’s Market, among others. Flytour has plans to open 500 more outlets over the next two years.
NTA Travel Agency FAM
L.A. Tourism partnered with NTA Travel Agency, a local tour company with offices in Los Angeles and Japan, for an educational tour of the destination to promote the products of L.A. and the variety of event venues for MICE clients. The group’s itinerary included a walking tour of L.A. LIVE, lunch at Tom’s Urban, a VIP tour at Universal Studios HollywoodSM, a tour of Dolby Theater at Hollywood & Highland and an L.A. Dodgers exhibition game.
Ethiopia Airlines Launch Event
L.A. Tourism’s Europe office and Riva Public Relations attended the March 20 launch event for the new Ethiopian Airlines flight from Dublin to LAX to create awareness of the new service, which begins in June. Irish travel trade and media were invited to board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and were updated on forthcoming events in Los Angeles to encourage advance bookings.
Communications
INTERNATIONAL
L.A. Tourism PR facilitated a film shoot with ET Canada for the program’s “Social Media/Vine Week.” Hosted by Canadian TV Personality Matte Babel, the weeklong series featured Vine stars at iconic L.A. locations including W Hollywood hotel, the L.A. Zoo, The Grammy Museum and the Warner Bros. VIP Studio Tour. ET Canada reaches more than 1.1 million viewers in Canada.
L.A. Tourism PR hosted Canadian freelance writer Matthew Hayes on assignment for Dailyxtra.com, a leading LGBT publication. While in L.A., Matthew explored the contemporary side of the destination, including dinner at The Hart and the Hunter and a visit to LACMA. Matthew also contributes to several other outlets including: The New York Times, Globe and Mail, enRoute, the Guardian and Toronto Star.
L.A. Tourism’s U.K. office attended the California Forum on March 25 and met with some of LA’s key partners to discuss plans for the remainder of the year and share media-friendly news and events to promote in the market.
L.A. Tourism’s U.K. office updated press in the market on key messaging for the destination for upcoming travel features at Unite Visit USA Media Marketplace on March 26. Meetings were held with editors of top U.K. tour operators, travel trade publications as well as journalists from several national publications including The Daily Telegraph, National Geographic, Daily Mail and The Independent.
L.A. Tourism hosted Cass Chapman as she gathered content for several family-friendly themed articles. Coverage will appear in a number of outlets including The Independent (circulation 61,338), Smallish Magazine (circulation 50,000) and Vogue India (circulation 1,800,000). Cass visited Los Angeles with her daughter where she stayed at Langham Huntington and experienced many of the city’s cultural attractions.
Eugenie Kelly, the Deputy Editor and Beauty Director of Harper’s BAZAAR Australia (circulation 52,910), visited L.A. to produce a well-being travel feature for the luxury themed issue. Eugenie experienced the city's luxury hotels, spas, as well as unique fitness options.
Gabi Dirvamauskas from The Sun in the U.K. (circulation 1,978,702) experienced many of the fantastic shopping venues in L.A. for coverage highlighting L.A.'s shopping as well as where visitors should stay to be close to the all the action.
L.A. Tourism's PR team partnered with Visit California on their first social influencer FAM from Italy. The 10 influencers explored Downtown Los Angeles, including the Arts District and visited the Getty Center and Universal Studios Hollywood.
DOMESTIC
L.A. Tourism PR hosted a Car Free L.A. press trip in celebration of the program's two-year anniversary with the debut of the newest self-guided itinerary, "Discover Culver City Car Free." The event was attended by five journalists and showcased highlights of the new self-guided itinerary. The journalists' contributing outlets included: The New York Times, Los Angeles Confidential, Bon Appetit, Angeleno, Sunset, Variety and TravelAge West.
L.A. Tourism PR hosted four mom bloggers and their families to experience the launch of the Culture L.A.: Find What Moves You campaign in collaboration with 30 of the city's leading attractions. The journalists each stayed at different Los Angeles hotels including Mr. C, Warner Center Marriott and W Hollywood. They visited visited different cultural attractions including: Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, The Hollywood Museum and Battleship IOWA in San Pedro. The bloggers' outlets include LuxLyfe, OC Mom Blog, Moms LA and Some Day I'll Learn.
In partnership with Visit California, L.A. Tourism is working with the Bravo’s top food show, "Top Chef" on their 13th season. The season will be based entirely in California, with L.A. being the host destination.
L.A. Tourism PR hosted New York-based freelance journalist Jennifer Parker. During her stay, Jennifer stayed at the Ace Hotel and explored Downtown L.A.’s dining, arts and culture for an assignment with Bloomberg News. Jennifer contributes to several other outlets including: CNBC, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune and USA Today.
L.A. Tourism PR garnered local coverage featuring the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association's (IGLTA) Annual Global Convention, which was held in Los Angeles April 9-11 for the first time in the group's 32-year history. Coverage appeared on LAWeekly.com and LAist.com and also highlighted L.A. Tourism's efforts marketing to the LGBT Community.