IPW 2015 – Orlando, Florida
More than 6,500 delegates from 73 countries attended IPW, the travel industry’s premier international marketplace, in Orlando, Florida May 30–June 4, 2015. L.A. Tourism’s International team met with more than 200 tour operators, wholesalers, MICE buyers and receptive operators from international and domestic markets. The pre-scheduled one-on-one appointments highlighted new Los Angeles developments and suggested new destination itineraries for travel trade to sell to their clients. Separate meetings were held with airline partners that included American Airlines and Thomas Cook Airlines.

In addition to the scheduled appointments, LATCB participated in IPW’s global media marketplace as well as co-hosted a breakfast for Chinese buyers with Brand USA and Marriott International.
L.A. Tourism President & CEO Ernest Wooden Jr. participated in a press conference with partner Universal Studios Hollywood and conducted several one-on-one interviews with domestic and international media outlets. These efforts, combined with LATCB’s outreach and follow-up, have resulted in nearly $800K in earned coverage and more than 71 million impressions to-date.

China Southern Airlines FAM
In partnership with China Southern Airlines, L.A. Tourism celebrated the addition of four flights a week to the airline’s existing daily service from Guangzhou to LAX with a familiarization tour June 19-23, 2015. L.A. Tourism hosted 14 executive travel professionals from leading travel agencies and one journalist on an educational trip highlighting L.A.’s top attractions including Universal Studios Hollywood, shopping at the Citadel Outlets and a VIP experience at Malibu Wine Safaris. Overnight accommodations were provided by Sheraton Downtown Los Angeles and Pacific Palms Resort.

American Airlines – Guadalajara Inaugural Flight FAM
L.A. Tourism hosted a familiarization tour June 10-14, 2015 for American Airlines’ new daily nonstop route from Guadalajara, Mexico to LAX. The new service strengthens the airline’s position in Latin America and seats 128 passengers aboard an Airbus 319. The group’s participants consisted of sales executives from American Airlines’ leading partner travel agencies. The educational itinerary highlighted Los Angeles’ diverse experiences, including a Segway tour with ‘A Day In LA,’ Karmel Shuttle’s ‘Citadel Outlets Shopper's Delight package,’ and Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, among others. Accommodations were provided by The Standard Downtown LA.

Volaris Airlines – Leon, Mexico Inaugural Flight FAM
In partnership with Volaris Airlines L.A. Tourism hosted a familiarization tour June 8-12, 2015 to promote the airline’s new direct air service from Leon, Mexico to LAX. Since its inception nine years ago, Volaris has grown faster than any other Mexican carrier, specifically in the number of flights to the U.S. The group’s participants included top sales agents as invited by Volaris Airlines. The educational itinerary highlighted Los Angeles’ premier tourism experiences such as Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, Universal Studios Hollywood, The Grove and The Grammy Museum, among others. Accommodations were provided by Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown Hotel and Sheraton Universal Hotel.

Ethiopian Airlines – Dublin Inaugural Flight Launch
Ethiopian Airlines celebrated the launch of its inaugural flight between Dublin and Los Angeles, the only non-stop service between the two cities, with a ribbon cutting event at LAX upon arrival of Ethiopian’s Dreamliner on June 20, 2015. Mayor Eric Garcetti sent a warm L.A. welcome via video message to the 100 local dignitaries and guests at the airport celebration. An evening event, co-hosted by LATCB and LAWA, was held for more than 400 travel trade, media and community guests at the Ray Dolby Ballroom and was catered by Wolfgang Puck. Attendees included Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines; H.E. Girma Birru, Ambassador of Ethiopia; Niall Biggons, CEO of Tourism Ireland; and Samson Mengistu, Deputy Executive Director of LAWA.

Flight Centre Canada – Retail
LATCB hosted a welcome reception for Flight Centre Canada's senior management team in Downtown Los Angeles on June 10, 2015. One of the world’s fastest growing travel companies, FC Canada was in Los Angeles to visit their new concept travel "hyper-store" in Downtown. Flight Centre is one of the largest travel retailers in Canada; operating nine retail, corporate and wholesale brands, more than 220 shops spanning seven provinces with 1,700 staff. This year Flight Centre celebrates their 20th anniversary with plans to build similar “hyper-stores” in Canada's major cities.

LATCB – Australia/New Zealand
L.A. Tourism’s Australia office conducted travel trade training seminars in Sydney and Brisbane throughout June for Infinity Cruise & Rail, one of Australia’s largest leisure wholesalers. The training seminars were attended by 50 travel agents who predominantly sell international cruise and rail package holidays. The program provided updates on Los Angeles World Cruise Center, San Pedro hotels, activities within the surrounding Beach Cities as well as AMTRAK services from Union station.

LATCB – Korea
L.A. Tourism’s Korea office participated in the 9th HanaTour International Travel Show at KINTEX, the largest travel show for business and consumers June 5-7, 2015. At the show, representatives provided visitor guides and information updates on the destination including museums, universities, attractions and LAX, among other topics.

LATCB – Japan
L.A. Tourism’s Japan office participated in Brand USA morning seminars at four major branch offices of JTB, Japan’s largest travel agency, throughout June. L.A. Tourism representative Masa Andachi provided information updates on LAX’s new Automated Passport Control (APC) system and new facilities at the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Activities and experiences throughout L.A.’s five regions were also presented.

LATCB – Europe
L.A. Tourism’s Europe office hosted Irish travel trade and media for a lunch reception in Dublin, Ireland to highlight the new (and only) direct air service between Dublin and LAX aboard Ethiopian Airlines’ Dreamliner, which officially launched the next day. The reception was held at Dublin’s popular venue “The Dean.” L.A. Tourism representative Francine Sheridan presented information updates on L.A.’s products and LAWA to the group of 24 key Irish tour operators and travel media.

LATCB - China

ITE Hong Kong
U.S. Commercial Service Hong Kong invited L.A. Tourism’s China office to join the Brand USA pavilion at International Travel Expo (ITE), a leading travel expo in Hong Kong June 11-14, 2015. During the show’s two trade days, nearly 12,000 travel trade attended while more than 78,000 consumers attended the show’s public days.

Delta Airlines Prelaunch Event
In partnership with Delta, LATCB China organized a pre-launch event at Peninsula Hotel Shanghai on June 29, 2015 to celebrate the airline’s new non-stop air service between Shanghai and Los Angeles. At the event, U.S. Consul General in Shanghai Hanscom Smith expressed a warm welcome for the new service, with a presentation of his personal L.A. experiences. LATCB China Regional Director Kate Chang also provided congratulatory remarks and destination updates to the more than 150 guests that included local travel trade, media and representatives from Shanghai Airport, Brand USA, Visit California and Universal Studios Hollywood. The event was uniquely designed as guests “boarded” the flight upon arrival with a boarding pass and were seated in an atmosphere reminiscent of iconic L.A. locations such as L.A. Live, Hollywood Walk of Fame and more.

BITE
Brand USA invited LATCB China to join their pavilion at the 2015 Beijing International Tourism Expo (BITE), the prime marketplace for international tourism stakeholders to establish and strengthen their presence in China. This annual event started in China's national capital 11 years ago and is well known for meeting and networking opportunities with local buyers that have a strong grasp on the outbound travel market. Representatives presented updated news on LAX and L.A.’s tourism products to trade partners.

Brand USA Roadshow
LATCB Beijing representative Angela Li attended the Brand USA Tourism Roadshow in Wuhan and Changsha. More than 150 travel agents attended the events where Angela presented information updates on LAX and L.A.’s activities and experiences.

Medical Tour Promotion
As invited by Shanghai Hong Kang International Travel Co., a local travel agency focusing on medical tour packages, LATCB China representatives Alexandra Liu and Austin Yin attended a seminar held at the company’s health care club on June 18, 2015. At the seminar, Alexandra introduced L.A.’s high-end medical travel resources and presented updates on L.A.’s newest attractions and LAX to the 15 VIP health club members in attendance.

GTA 2015 Hotel Sales Promotion
As a part of 2015 GTA (B2B Travel) Hotel Sales Campaign, LATCB China representative Austin Yin organized and participated in the seminar held at GTA Shanghai office. Austin’s presentation focused on L.A.’s hotels, FIT packages, updates on L.A.’s attractions and LAX. More than 30 travel agencies from Eastern China attended the seminar.

 

 

In partnership with Visit California and Travel Channel International, L.A. Tourism PR filmed segments for “Jeni and Olly’s West Coast Wine Adventures” June 20-22. The show is the ultimate taste of West Coast America: fabulous food, incredible wine and delicious adventures all wrapped up in an unmissable road trip featuring the divine double act of Olly Smith and Jeni Barnett. While in L.A., the hosts sampled some of the city’s unique cuisines including Pink’s Hotdogs, Yamashiro, food trucks and a visit to Grand Central Market, among others.

L.A. Tourism’s PR and trade team joined forces for a Best Western - China press trip on June 24. Best Western brought seven Chinese media and two Ctrip (a mainland China travel agency) executives to Los Angeles to showcase the destination.  LATCB representative Sheena Yu presented an overview of the destination including new updates to the group. Outlets included China Business News, Oriental Morning Post, China National Radio and Tencent.

L.A. Tourism partnered with Visit California and Hainan Airlines on a China press trip on June 30. The one-day educational itinerary focused of the diversity of L.A. activities including Universal Studios Hollywood, The Grove, Original Farmers Market, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Luxe City Center and niXon Lounge. Media outlets included GQ, Trading Up, Esquire, National Geographic Traveler and Travel Weekly.

In June, L.A. Tourism's domestic PR team hosted Jacquelyne Froeber, editor-in-chief of Celebrated Living, an American Airlines publication. Jacquelyne's educational itinerary centered around Downtown with visits to L.A. LIVE and dinner at Faith & Flower. Her accommodations were provided by The Ace Hotel.  

Also in June, premier freelancer Jenny Adams visited the destination for future stories in Robb Report, Travel + Leisure and Yahoo Travel. Jenny stayed at The Redbury and The Line and also did a walking tour of Little Tokyo and Venice for upcoming coverage.