Coming off of a record-breaking summer, LA’s tourism industry continues to grow. The glamorous new Tom Bradley International Terminal opened its doors and started welcoming international visitors and more improvements are on the way at domestic terminals. Convention season is coming fast, bringing more business to LA. The Fall Arts program is underway celebrating the anniversaries of LA’s most iconic arts and cultural institutions, and this month’s newsletter has updates on local industry news.
ASIA MISSION, JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA, CHINA. SEPT. 9-14
LATCB President Ernest Wooden Jr. and the International Team traveled to Japan, South Korea and China in September to promote the destination, increase travel to Los Angeles and to advocate for more direct international flights to Los Angeles. Wooden gave updates about the most recent and upcoming tourism developments in LA, including the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), new hotel product coming on line in LA, new attractions and cultural experiences, and other important news.
In Japan, the team met with international airline executives and attended USTP10 (U.S. Travel Professionals of 10 Major Tour Operators in Japan) to give updates on LA and its hotels and attractions to leading Japanese travel trade media. In Korea, the LATCB team met with international airline executives to discuss new direct air service between Seoul’s Incheon International Airport to LAX. They also met with leading tour operators to explore expanding Web/SNS and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) travel to LA.
WORLD TOURISM CITIES FEDERATION
LATCB co-sponsored and participated in the World Tourism Cities Federation’s (WTCF) Annual Conference and Travel Fair in Beijing, Sept. 9 - 14, where LATCB President & CEO Erniest Wooden Jr. spoke on how cities can support the development of air travel, highlighting LATCB’s strong partnership with Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). The organization was established in 2012 by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development with support from the Beijing Municipal Government. LATCB is one of WTCF’s founding members and was the first and only destination from the United States invited by the Chinese government to participate. Wooden was named Vice President of the WTCF Board Council. The event helped elevate LA’s image in China, our largest overseas market for international travel.
UCFTI PRESS CONFERENCE, BEIJING, CHINA. SEPT. 12.
LATCB’s President & CEO, Ernest Wooden Jr., participated in a press conference in Beijing to announce the First Annual United States and China Film & Television Industry Expo (UCFTI Expo) March 5- 6, 2014 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The UCFTI Expo was created to provide a platform to forge greater understanding between the United States and China, as entertainment industry giants. LATCB will support UCFTI hotel bookings and be part of China government/media affairs efforts.
MUSEUM SEASON CELEBRATES LA’S YEAR OF MONUMENTAL ARTS ANNIVERSARIES
The Natural History Museum’s centennial, Walt Disney Concert Hall’s 10th anniversary, and the 90th anniversary of the Hollywood Sign are just a few of LA’s – and the world’s – most prestigious institutions celebrating monumental anniversaries between 2013 and 2015 with special exhibitions and events. As part of the celebration, LATCB launches Museum Season, its Fall Arts Program, this month. Visitors who book two nights or more at any participating Los Angeles area hotel through www.Discoverlosangeles.com from Oct. 7 through Nov. 12, 2013, will receive two free museum passes and gift shop discounts at over 25 of LA’s biggest arts institutions, a package worth $500.
DINELA WINTER RESTAURANT DATES ANNOUNCED
Mark your calendar for the winter season of LATCB’s dineLA Restaurant Week, Jan. 20-31, 2014. dineLA’s Restaurant Week is a bi-annual 12-day dining event showcasing Los Angeles as a premiere dining destination and highlighting LA’s diversity through culinary experiences. This summer dineLA’s Restaurant Week became the largest restaurant week in the nation, with more than 330 restaurants participating. Partnering with LATCB by offering special deals, promotional packages and hosting media presents hotels and restaurants a valuable opportunity to grow and promote their business and increase their exposure to customers. The two 2013 Restaurant Weeks generated over $1.5 million in media exposure on TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, print, social media and online. For information on how to participate, email Ssun@latourism.org
TOM BRADLEY INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL GRAND OPENING WITH FIRST A-380 FLIGHT ARRIVING
The New Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX (LAX) began official operation on Sept. 18, with the first A-380 jet to arrive at the terminal cutting a giant ribbon. When complete, the $1.9-billion terminal will have 18 gates, nine of which can handle the A380 next- generation jets – more than any other airport in America. Upgraded passenger facilities will speed up security and baggage processing, and multiple bridges will enable faster boarding and de-planing. A stunningly beautiful Great Hall welcomes passengers with multimedia art pieces, luxurious lounges and more than 60 ultra high-end shops and restaurants. Many of the shops and restaurants are famous LA-based brands to reflect the experience visitors will have in LA. Extensive upgrades to domestic terminals, a runway expansion, are also on the way. To see a video of the Sept. 18 event, visit abclocal.go.com/kabc/video?id=9253663&pid=9252707.
NEW DIRECT ROUTE FROM MEXICO
Aeromexico launched a new direct international air route from Guadalajara, Mexico City to Ontario International Airport starting on Oct. 1.
INDUSTRY NEWS
LOS ANGELES AIRPORT COMMISSIONERS APPROVE MORE DOMESTIC TERMINAL RENOVATIONS AT LAX
Plans for renovations at United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines domestic terminals at LAX Airport were approved in September by the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners. It was the first meeting with Commission members appointed by LA Mayor Eric Garcetti. United’s will be the most substantial improvement, with about $412 million for a full renovation of Terminals 6, 7 and 8, funded by Los Angeles World Airports, the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) and United. Improvements include a club for premium passengers, and upgrades to the hold rooms and security checkpoints. Delta’s $60 million modifications will make seismic and elevator improvements. Delta has more than $200 million in improvements underway on its Terminal 5, also with combined funding. The board also voted to help American Airlines receive a new $33.2 million checked baggage inspection system at LAX funded mostly by TSA.