LA Tourism Sales Team Members participated in several lead generating shows and events
Rejuvenate Marketplace – Oct. 22-24 in Columbus, Ohio; ITME: The Motivation Show – Oct. 23 -25, Chicago, Ill.; and two Smart Meetings Smart Marts – Oct. 18 in Washington D.C. and Nov. 8 in San Diego, Calif.
DiscoverLosAngeles.com Launch, Oct. 28
LA Tourism recently launched its new, definitive one-stop online hub for comprehensive, interactive and current information about all that Los Angeles offers in a variety of lifestyle categories including accommodations, culture, sports, attractions, nightlife and dining. The site was featured in the Sunday Los Angeles Times on Oct. 28 and on morning shows on KTTV and KTLA. Some of the site’s new features include: tips from local celebrities and personalities about where to eat, shop and play in LA; a map-based neighborhood approach to introduce the activities and amenities in each area from Downtown to the beaches and from the valley to LA’s waterfront; an experience builder for creating custom itineraries; a robust events calendar; detailed 3-D virtual tours of the Los Angeles Convention Center and L.A. Live entertainment complex; and an area for special offers to domestic and international travel agents. Please submit any updates to your contact information, organization description, special offers and images to DB Villanueva, Membership Coordinator, at dvillanueva@LATourism.org or Lorraine Chapman, Director of Membership, at lchapman@LATourism.org.
First Visa-Free Travelers Get Red-Carpet Treatment in Los Angeles
The first group of Taiwanese travelers to visit the United States under the Visa Waiver Program arrived in Los Angeles on Nov. 1 to a red-carpet media event and welcome at LAX by Congressman Ed Royce, Congresswoman Janice Hahn, Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Director General Chung-Chen Kung, China Airlines executives and LA Tourism’s Senior Vice President of Business Affairs, Patti MacJennett. The 71 visa waiver travelers were also entertained by Madame Tussauds Hollywood and presented with LA Tourism welcome bags. Los Angeles is already the most visited U.S. city by Taiwanese travelers, welcoming 89,000 travelers in 2011, who accounted for $179 million in spending. The number of Taiwanese visitors in 2012 is expected to top 100,000 and increase 25% over the next few years.
World Travel Market, London, Nov. 4- 7
Exhibiting as part of a delegation of 21 California companies, the LA Tourism London office participated in this show with an attendance of approximately 30,000+ travel trade and media. LA Tourism also co-sponsored a CA client event for over 160 travel trade and media on the day before the show, with a lunch reception and private screening of the new James Bond movie, Skyfall. Other LA exhibitors were Universal Studios Hollywood, CityPASS and Disneyland. Pictured L to R: Laura Leggetter, Riva PR (UK PR Agency; Hayley French, Sales and Marketing Manager, Europe;) and Francine Sheridan, Regional Director, Europe & Middle East.
China International Travel Mart (CITM), Shanghai, Nov. 15 – 19
China International Travel Mart (CITM), Shanghai, Nov. 15 – 19 – LA Tourism’s China office is currently exhibiting at CITM, the largest professional travel mart in Asia.
Mayor’s Mission to South America, Nov. 24 – Dec. 3
LA Tourism is working with the Mayor’s office to finalize preparations for Mayor Villaraigosa to visit Brazil, Chile and Colombia. With a generally strong economic picture throughout Latin America, the volume of travelers from this region continues to rise. In particular, in 2011, Los Angeles enjoyed a 75 percent increase in visitation from Brazil over 2010 numbers welcoming 107,000 Brazilians. Brazil is currently LA’s fastest growing overseas market.
Facebook Fan Favorite, Nov. 11
The Discover LA Facebook page reached one million fans, making LA Tourism’s page the most popular DMO travel page on Facebook. No other tourism board in the country- city or State – has more fans. LA Tourism’s Twitter feed @DiscoverLA has almost 20,000 followers.