Los Angeles Tourism at Work - April 2022
Dine LA - April 1-15
Dine LA kicks off this month running April 1-15 with 309 participating restaurants this season, of which 51 are new to the program. Thank you to all of our restaurant partners who are participating, helping us to write the latest chapter in L.A.’s comeback story. Check out all the restaurants to explore here.
Advertising Campaign Takes Over NYC
As a finale to our recent advertising campaign, Los Angeles Tourism and Visit California popped up in Time Square with a vibrant billboard inviting New Yorkers to start their comeback in the City of Angels, reaching hundreds of thousands of pedestrians in one of NYC’s most bustling hot spots.
While L.A. was abuzz with star power and Hollywood glamour for the Academy Awards last Sunday, we brought the party to the East Coast as well with an Oscars Viewing Party in partnership with Visit CA and TimeOut New York. Located at TimeOut’s incredible Brooklyn space, we welcomed influencers, media and more to join host Chinedu Unaka of “Insecure” fame for an evening of Oscar-themed activities, custom California-inspired cocktails, fabulous prizes (including a trip to L.A.!) and a live stream of the big night direct from Dolby Theatre.
Summit of the Americas Selects L.A. as Host City
Los Angeles has been selected to host the prestigious Summit of the Americas. The Summit of the Americas is the only hemisphere-wide convening of leaders from the countries of North, South, and Central America and the Caribbean. U.S. leadership in the Summit process underscores our deep and historical commitment to the people of the Western Hemisphere. Our Sales team worked hard to secure this high-profile government event, conducting site inspections for as many as 50 people at one time. The event will take place June 6-10 with a focus on “Building a Sustainable, Resilient, and Equitable Future” for our hemisphere.
Los Angeles Tourism Joins Visit California CEO Mission to Mexico
Last month Adam Burke, President/CEO, joined CEOs from 14 California DMOs in Mexico for Visit California’s first CEO mission since the pandemic began. Mexico continues to be a top priority market in 2022 as the state’s largest international market by volume, with Los Angeles offering abundant opportunities for the country's largest demographics including family, luxury and culinary travelers. The mission included a press conference with trade and consumer journalists and a luxury market conversation with Mexican tourism leaders, as well as a CEO roundtable and individual media appointments with top publications including Forbes, Robb Report and National Geographic. We look forward to welcoming Mexican travelers in the coming year.
Direct Flights Resume Between Brisbane and LAX
Flight recovery from Australia is looking up as Qantas resumed Brisbane to LAX flights, reconnecting L.A. to all three key Australian markets. To celebrate the occassion, our team rolled out a Hollywood red carpet check-in experience for passengers in Brisbane complete with L.A. popcorn. The activation received attention from local morning news and media reporting on the first direct flight from Brisbane to the USA in two years.
Global Tourism Team Members Keep Los Angeles Top of Mind
As international markets recover, our teams across the globe are ensuring Los Angeles is top of mind. Here are some highlights of the ways our team members have educated trade professionals over the past month:
In London, our team participated in the annual Visit USA Unite in London, connecting with key tour operators from the UK through a series of appointments and a post-event “pop into the pub” cocktail networking hour.
Our team in China trained 400 travel trade professionals at an event co-hosted by BrandUSA China and the newly formed China Tourism Group uniting the well-known China Travel Service and China International Travel Service. Next up will be an in-house training for staff members of Mafengwo, an online travel platform.
Here in the United States, our team participated in the fifth edition of VCA’s California Luxury Forum, conducting one-on-one appointments with domestic and international luxury travel advisors. We also participated in BrandUSA – The Americas virtual Global Marketplace, conducting 20 one-on-one appointments with buyers from Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and other Latin American regions.
Meanwhile, right at home in Los Angeles, we partnered with Connect Travel for their RTO West Summit at the Hilton Los Angeles Universal City including a full day of international inbound trends and market intelligence, as well as a full day of appointments with receptive tour operators.
Tourism Cares Meaningful Map
The Tourism Cares Meaningful Map features mission focused small business, non-profits, social enterprises and other community-led initiatives that offer unique, hands-on cultural experiences, products and services for travelers.
• The map is a place tour operators and travel advisors can go to find businesses they will feel great about promoting.
• Tourism Cares will be promoting this B2B tool to their 160+ corporate and association members, focusing on tour operators and advisors.
• Participation is completely free and businesses can find out more at Meaningful Map of North America — Tourism Cares | Travel and Tourism Industry Nonprofit
• For questions, please contact john.sutherland@tourismcares.org.
