L.A. Tourism at Work - November 2018

Visit California Canada Sales Mission
L.A. Tourism’s International Tourism team participated in Visit California’s Canada sales mission held in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver from September 30 – October 4, 2018. The sales mission featured a series of trade events in each city including mini tradeshows, sales calls and B2B appointment sessions with leading wholesalers and tour operators from the Canada market. Staff shared product updates to more than 300 travel agents, highlighting new L.A. hotels, attractions and events, as well as LAX’s modernization and direct air service.

FCM Travel Solutions/United Airlines Rewards FAM
L.A. Tourism supported a FAM group of top sellers from FCM Travel Solutions Singapore in partnership with United Airlines Rewards from Oct. 16 – 19, 2018. The group increased their first-hand knowledge about L.A.’s premier offerings to sell the destination including Universal Studios Hollywood, Warner Bros. Studio Tour, Starline Tours.

Delta Airline Seminar & Workshop – Osaka
In advance of Delta Air Line’s new air service between KIX Airport and Seattle launching April 2019, the airline held a training seminar with destinations that have direct connections with Seattle on October 18, 2018 in Osaka.  L.A. Tourism’s Japan rep Emiko Morimoto shared the latest destination updates and visitor offerings with more than 60 tour operators and travel agents including LAX Airport, new hotels and attractions as well as the L.A. Insider online training program. 

Club California – Tokyo
The 2018/2019 Club California program, themed culinary tourism, began in Tokyo with 103 tour operators, travel agents and media attendees on October 23, 2018. L.A. Tourism’s Japan rep Emiko Morimoto shared the latest destination updates with the group, highlighting the newest visitor offerings including hotels and attractions as well as updates on LAX Airport. The group also enjoyed California-inspired food and wine during a networking event. 

Frieze London, UK – Europe
One of the most influential art events in the world, Frieze will debut its inaugural Los Angeles show from February 14 – 17, 2019. In an effort to create buzz for the destination, L.A. Tourism partnered with Visit West Hollywood to host key travel trade partners for a preview lunch at Frieze London at Regent Park where staff shared the latest L.A. updates and showcased the newest visitor offerings.

TTG Luxpo, UK – Europe
L.A. Tourism’s U.K. office attended TTG Luxpo, an event held exclusively for the luxury-focused travel trade, in London. Staff shared the newest luxury experiences and offerings with the attendees as well as the latest destination updates overall.

Attitude Awards, UK – Europe
L.A. Tourism’s U.K. hosted a table of key travel partners at the 2018 Attitude Awards in London. Sponsored by Virgin Holidays and powered by Jaguar, the awards celebrate the work of U.K.’s LGBT+ community.  

Bon Voyage Training, UK – Europe
L.A. Tourism’s U.K. office attended a Los Angeles-themed training day at Bon Voyage, a luxury focused UK Tour operator and agency in Southampton, England. Staff shared the latest visitor offerings and newest destination experiences with the trade reps and agents while also promoting the L.A. Insider online training tool. 

Top Resa, France –  Europe
L.A. Tourism’s Europe office exhibited at Top Resa, a leading travel industry event held in Paris, with over 34,000 attending over four days. Throughout the tradeshow, staff met with key tour operators, agencies and airlines, to highlight the newest L.A. visitor offerings. In addition, L.A. Tourism joined Visit California and other cities to host travel buyers for a VIP networking lunch.

Visiteurs Roadshow Trainings, France – Europe 
In partnership with tour operator Visiteurs, L.A. Tourism’s Europe office trained 49 travel agents in Toulouse and Caen on the latest destination visitor offerings. Agents received a presentation highlighting LAX Airport and Los Angeles in an effort to increase bookings to the destination.

Discover America Seminar, Scandinavia – Europe
L.A. Tourism exhibited at Discover America Seminar, the largest travel industry event in Gothenburg with 102 participating USA destinations. suppliers exhibiting from USA destinations and products.  In addition to the general presentations, scheduled appointments with airlines and key buyers including SAS and Norwegian, the LATCB Scandinavia representatives also gave a stage presentation on Los Angeles to the travel trade audience.

Travel Trade Trainings, Germany - Europe
L.A. Tourism’s Germany rep conducted destination trainings in Nurnberg and Stuttgart for travel agents from Canusa Touristik and Explorer Reisen, tour operators that specialize in selling US related travel. Staff shared the latest visitor offerings and experiences while promoting the L.A. Insider online training program.

Hainan Airlines - Chengdu Travel Trade FAM
In partnership with Hainan Airlines, L.A. Tourism’s International Tourism team hosted a group of travel trade reps from Chengdu and Chongqing from October 26-29, 2018. The group’s educational itinerary showcased several only-in-L.A. experiences including an arrival/departure experience at Tom Bradley Terminal at LAX Airport, a walking tour of Downtown L.A., OUE Skyspace LA, Warner Bros. Studio Hollywood, Universal Studios Hollywood, Hornblower Cruises and Citadel Outlets, among others. Accommodations were hosted by Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel. We thank our members for their generous support of this FAM and our China programs.

Delta Grammy Awards Promotion – Australia
L.A. Tourism and Los Angeles World Airports partnered with Delta Airlines to launch a travel agent incentive program, promoting sales of the airline’s daily service from Sydney to LAX as well as the L.A. Insider online training program. The eight-week Australian travel trade promotion launched on October 15, 2018 and will reward the top three sales agents with a trip to attend the 2019 Grammy Awards in L.A. Agents must also complete the L.A. Insider online training program to be eligible for the promotion. A very special thank you to L.A. Tourism Members for their promotional prizes: Hotel Figueroa, the Grammy Museum and Warner Bros Studio Tour.

United Airlines Travel Agent Training Seminar
L.A. Tourism and Los Angeles World Airports co-sponsored the annual United Airlines travel agent training seminar in Newcastle, Australia on October 17, 2018. The event promoted United’s daily services from Sydney and Melbourne to LAX Airport to more than 100 travel agents from the Newcastle region. Staff shared the latest destination updates and newest visitor experiences with the group, rewarding the top sales agents with a trip to Los Angeles. Thank you to Members who donated prizes: Standard LA Hotel, Universal Studios Hollywood, GO LA Card and Starline Tours.

Virtuoso Luxury Agent Event
LA Tourism’s Australia/New Zealand office exhibited at the annual Virtuoso on Tour event in Auckland on October 29, 2018. Staff engaged with more than 45 top luxury buyers at the speed-dating style event, promoting the latest luxury travel products across the destination. A culinary feature was also promoted in Virtuoso Life Magazine with a special incentive for using the L.A. Insider online training program. Thank you to Members who provided prizes and collateral: Intercontinental Los Angeles Century City at Beverly Hills, Universal Studios Hollywood, Empire CLS and Private Suites LAX.

American Airlines Launch Event: Auckland to LAX
To promote the re-launch of American Airlines seasonal service (October 31 – March 30) from Auckland, New Zealand to LAX Airport, LA Tourism’s Australia/New Zealand office partnered with the airline to launch a month-long sales incentive across New Zealand. The program rewarded the top sales agent with a trip to Los Angeles on the inaugural flight on Oct. 30 to experience Halloween in the destination. More than 1000 travel agents participated in the promotion, which was supported by The Garland Hotel and Universal Studios Hollywood.

L.A. Tourism in China
ILTM China 2018 in Shanghai
L.A. Tourism’s China office co-exhibited with the Sales team at ILTM China 2018 in Shanghai to promote L.A.’s luxury visitor offerings and products from Oct. 31 – Nov. 2, 2018. Staff conducted 60 one-on-one meetings, sharing the latest luxury experiences and offerings including LAX’s Private Suite as well as direct air service from the region. ILTM China is an event dedicated to the Chinese luxury outbound market, attracting 215 luxury exhibitors from 44 countries with 200 key luxury travel planners and agencies from China.

DISTA Chengdu Office Training
L.A. Tourism’s Chengdu office conducted an in-house training for 11 trade agents from DISTA Chengdu office on October 10, 2018. Staff shared the latest destination updates, highlighting LAX Airport's modernization, Private Suite and direct air services as well as the newest L.A. attractions and experiences. The L.A. Mini Products/Packages initiative was also introduced for in-depth itineraries in addition to the L.A. Angels Academy 2.0 training tool.

Dongguan In-house training with Brand USA
L.A. Tourism’s Guangzhou Office joined Brand USA for an in-house training for 32 agents at Dongguan Youth International Travel Service Co., Ltd., one of the leading outbound travel services in the market of Dongguan, on Oct. 17, 2018.  Staff shared the latest destination updates, highlighting LAX Airport's modernization, Private Suite and direct air services as well as the newest L.A. attractions and experiences. The L.A. Mini Products/Packages initiative was also introduced for in-depth itineraries in addition to the L.A. Angels Academy 2.0 training tool.

Shenzhen CITS Newview Roadshow
L.A. Tourism’s China office conducted a series of training roadshows for 30 sales managers in the market of Shenzhen on Oct. 26, 2018. Staff shared the latest destination updates, highlighting LAX Airport's modernization, Private Suite and direct air services as well as the newest L.A. attractions and experiences. The L.A. Mini Products/Packages initiative was also introduced for in-depth itineraries in addition to the L.A. Angels Academy 2.0 training tool.

XIY-LAX Launch Event with Hainan Airlines
In partnership with Hainan Airlines, the China office held a training event for more than 50 Xi'an key travel trade professionals on Oct. 29. Staff shared the latest destination updates, highlighting LAX Airport's modernization, Private Suite and Hainan’s new service from Xi’an as well as the newest L.A. attractions and experiences.

L.A. Music Experience FAM
In partnership with British Airways, L.A. Tourism’s Sales team hosted a group of top meetings and events professionals from the U.K., some of which have upcoming incentive or event leads for the destination, for its L.A. Music Experience FAM highlighting Hollywood and Downtown from Oct. 6-10, 2018. The group’s itinerary showcased only-in-L.A. experiences including the American Music Awards, Universal Studios Hollywood, Capital Records, Bikes & Hikes LA and OUE Skyspace LA. Hotel partners Dream Hollywood and LEVEL exceeded the group’s expectations with unique experiences.

At the same time, the team hosted a group of planners focused on citywide and self-contained groups for a FAM that showcased City Market Social House, Two-Bit Circus and more. Accommodations were hosted by LEVEL. A video recap of the event can be viewed here: https://www.magisto.com/video/PkIfPEMVGzsqVUxgCzE?l=vsm&o=w&c=c   

China MICE FAMs
Sheena Yu, Destination Sales Director, Asia-Pacific Region, hosted three FAM trips for meeting professionals from China. More than 40 clients explored Los Angeles to learn about the destination as well as what makes it the perfect place for international meetings and events.

During October, the Communications team worked diligently to identify and host top-tier media from key markets in L.A. for future editorial coverage highlighting the destination. First, a group of Chinese media enjoyed accommodations at Hotel Erwin and experiences at Hornblower Cruises, USS Battleship IOWA, Aqua Surf School, The Getty Villa and more.

To showcase L.A.’s arts and cultural offerings, the PR team secured a cover shoot with top lifestyle publication, Harper’s Bazaar. The destination photoshoot will show off L.A.’s best angles at several locations including The Broad and the Petersen Automotive Museum.

In support of new air service development at LAX Airport, media from Argentina were invited to fly aboard American Airlines’ inaugural route from Buenos Aires to Los Angeles. The group’s immersive itinerary showcased only-in-L.A. experiences including Original Farmer’s Market, Getty Center, Westfield Century City, a tour of celebrity homes with Starline Tours, the “Horror Made Here” at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood and dinner at TAO at Dream Hollywood. Accommodations were hosted by Sportsmen’s Lodge.

In partnership with Delta Air Lines, the team hosted a group of Australian media as they experienced Halloween, L.A. style. Their spooky itinerary highlighted a variety of Halloween activities and events including the “Haunted Tales” tour with Downtown LA Walking Tours; the “Haunted Hollywood” tour with Starline Tours; and terrifying attractions such as “Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood, “Los Angeles Haunted Hayride” at Griffith Park and “Fright Fest” at Six Flags Magic Mountain. They also enjoyed dining at Broken Spanish, Clifton’s Republic and The Highlight Room at Dream Hollywood. Accommodations were hosted by W Hollywood Hotel.

In partnership with the InterContinental Los Angeles Century City, the team hosted a group of domestic media for an immersive Century City experience. The group’s educational itinerary highlighted unique offerings in the neighborhood including an interactive tour at Westfield Century City with visits to Lush and Origins, The Private Suite, Eataly and Halo Top; a visit to the Annenberg Space for Photography to see Joel Sartore’s National Geographic Photo Ark exhibit; and dinner at Craft. Accommodations were hosted by the InterContinental Los Angeles Century City.

Canadian journalist and travel correspondent Jody Robbins experienced several only-in-L.A. offerings across L.A. neighborhoods during a hosted visit to the destination. Her itinerary showcased OUE Skyspace LA, La Brea Tar Pits & Museum, Craft and Folk Art Museum, ROW DTLA, The Grove as well as experiences with Warner Bros. Studio Tour, Dolby Theatre and Starline Tour. She also dined at the Original Farmer’s Market and Paley, among others. Coverage of Jody’s visit is expected to appear in several top-tier Canadian media outlets in the coming months.

Lastly, the team worked closely with Visit California to welcome two groups of media as they explored Los Angeles for future editorial coverage: a group of Mexican media who stayed at Hotel Figueroa in Downtown; and a group of French media who stayed at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.