Los Angeles Tourism at Work - April 2019

Mexico Mission
Los Angeles Tourism hosted its 3rd annual sales mission across Mexico from March 4-7, 2019, where the team promoted the destination at six events held in León, Guadalajara and Mexico City. The Los Angeles delegation included member hotels, attractions, transportation and a local receptive tour operator. The focus of the mission was to showcase L.A.’s luxury product as the team met with OTAs, travel trade, media, influencers and airline partners. Members had the opportunity to meet former President of Mexico, Mr. Vicente Fox Quesada to discuss tourism and future business opportunities in the market.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti participated in the mission’s closing event, which celebrated the 50th Sister City anniversary between Los Angeles and Mexico City, with travel industry partners, government officials, media, airlines and influencers in attendance. A hologram of renowned Mexican actor Diego Boneta surprised the audience of travel partners with a trip giveaway to L.A. in a unique promotion effort.

Unite Workshop, U.K. – Europe
Los Angeles Tourism’s U.K. office attended the annual Visit USA Unite Workshop and met with product managers from key U.K. tour operators. Buyers were provided with an update on new and existing Los Angeles product and direct air service available from the region. In addition, staff hosted a networking session post-event during which L.A.-related suppliers interacted with clients.

USAirtours Training, U.K. – Europe
Los Angeles Tourism’s U.K. office conducted a destination training afternoon at USAirtours, a U.K. tour operator specializing in selling US travel. The training provided staff a platform to share the latest LA products and promote the L.A. Insider online training program with 14 agents.

Funway Holidays Training, U.K. – Europe
Los Angeles Tourism’s U.K. office visited the staff at Funway Holidays, a UK tour operator, and provided updates on new and existing L.A. product. Agents also received information on the new L.A. Insider training program.

ITB Berlin, Germany – Europe
Los Angeles Tourism’s Europe office exhibited at ITB, the world's largest travel trade show attracting 113,500 trade visitors over three days. The team exhibited at Visit California booth, meeting with key tour operators and airlines to highlight L.A. product.  Partners included West Hollywood Travel & Tourism Board, Visit Burbank and Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood.

Travel Agencies Training, France – Europe
Los Angeles Tourism’s France representative invited 11 travel agencies to participate in a destination training session, where attendees received updates on new L.A. product. The presentation also highlighted the L.A Insider online training program and the French language website.

Air Tahiti Nui Launch Event, France – Europe
Los Angeles Tourism’s France rep attended the Air Tahiti Nui launch event to celebrate the new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport. Guests experienced the new product during a three-hour flight over France. The aircraft will be flown on the five-times-weekly Paris to L.A. route.

Swanson's Travel America Day, Scandinavia – Europe
In support of Swanson’s Travel, the largest U.S. tour operator in Sweden, Los Angeles Tourism’s Scandinavia rep presented the latest L.A. visitor offerings at the Swanson´s Travel America Day in Osby, Sweden.

FDM Travel’s USA Event, Scandinavia – Europe
Los Angeles Tourism’s Scandinavia rep exhibited at the FDM Travel USA Event in Copenhagen, Denmark, promoting travel to L.A. by showcasing product updates and new offerings.

Discover America USA Travel Show, Scandinavia – Europe
Los Angeles Tourism’s Scandinavia rep attended the Discover America USA Travel Show in Copenhagen, Denmark.  L.A. product was presented throughout the workshop, highlighting L.A.’s exciting new offerings. The event was attended by 320 agency staff, partners and airlines including SAS and Norwegian.

Finnair US Embassy Gala, Scandinavia – Europe
Finnair, supported by LAX and Los Angeles Tourism, held an Inaugural Gala at the US Embassy in Helsinki on March 28, 2019 to promote the new Finnair HEL-LAX service. The Gala was attended by 150 celebrities, media representatives, key Finnair staff and travel industry professionals. Los Angeles Tourism’s Scandinavia rep presented news and updates on LAX and highlighted L.A. product to guests. The new inaugural flight commenced March 31 and will fly three times weekly.

United Airlines Customized Travel Trade FAM
In partnership with United Airlines, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, Visit West Hollywood and Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau, Los Angeles Tourism hosted a group of United Airlines staff and top luxury travel company executives from Shanghai and Beijing the first week of March. The educational itinerary showcased personalized luxury experiences throughout Los Angeles including The Private Suite, OUE Skyspace, Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience, Porsche Experience Center, Malibu Wine Safari and more. Networking meetings showcased Los Angeles Tourism members such as The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills, Hotel Bel Air, Montage Beverly Hills, Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza, and Westfield Topanga & The Village. Accommodations were provided by The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills and Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza.

Training Seminar in Canberra

Los Angeles Tourism hosted an L.A. Insider Club travel agent training seminar in Australia’s capital city of Canberra on March 13, 2019. The event attracted 30 travel agents as Australia & NZ Travel Trade Manager Kathleen Finneran shared destination updates for LAX's modernization program, new hotels and attractions while providing an overview of the LA Insider online training program. Members Universal Studios Hollywood & Santa Monica Travel & Tourism also joined the event as special guests.

Active America China Trade Show
Los Angeles Tourism’s China Tourism Director Jordan Baronfeld and China Tourism Manager Rachel Che attended the 2019 Active America China trade show in Anchorage, AK from March 26-28, 2019. They shared the latest destination updates including information on new direct air service to LAX, new L.A. hotel development, future events, top attractions with a spotlight on the Mini Product and L.A.-focused itineraries currently being promoted in China.

Japan Airlines Osaka Travel Trade FAM
In partnership with Japan Airlines, Los Angeles Tourism hosted a group of Japan Airlines staff and travel trade agents from the Osaka region the last week of march. The group visited popular attractions including Abbot Kinney, Westfield Century City, Cole’s DTLA, Art District, Universal Studios Hollywood, Griffith Observatory, among others. Networking meetings showcased members and partners such as Hotel Figueroa, The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, LEVEL Furnished Living, Mixology at The Original Farmer’s Market, and Westfield LAX. Accommodations were generously provided by The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites.

Chinese Receptive Operator - DTLA Discovery Day
Los Angeles Tourism’s China HQ team held its first Chinese Receptive Tour Operator (CRTO) DTLA Discovery Day on March 1, 2019. Eleven of the top CRTO’s conducted site visits with six participating member hotels: Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, LA Grand Hotel Downtown, Omni Los Angeles Hotel, The Standard Downtown LA Hotel, Sheraton Grand Los Angeles and Level Furnished Living, and attractions including Angel’s Flight, Grand Central Market, Macy’s and the Bloc.

Los Angeles Tourism in China

AITS 2019 New Products Roadshow
From February 25 - March 12, 2019, Los Angeles Tourism’s Shanghai office participated in an America International Travel Service, Inc. road show of 2019’s new products. During the road show, staff delivered presentations on direct air service between China and LAX, L.A. Mini Products/Packages, L.A. Angels Academy, the WeChat trade platform and updates on L.A. product.
 

Smart Travel Screening Event
On March 1, 2019, Los Angeles Tourism’s Beijing office attended the Smart Travel screening event and provided LAX updates to travel trade attendees. L.A.'s geography, L.A. Mini Products/Packages and L.A. Angels Academy 1.0 and 2.0 were introduced as resources for education on L.A. as a premier tourist destination.

Roadshow China 2019 with Hainan Airlines
Los Angeles Tourism’s 2019 roadshow with Hainan Airlines was held from March 4 – 8, 2019 with more than 300 local travel trade professionals meeting with suppliers from the U.S. Staff highlighted destination products and offerings, direct service on Hainan Airlines and the latest information on LAX Airport’s facilities and services.

Tianping Travel In-house Training
On March 6, 2019, Los Angeles Tourism’s Beijing office conducted an in-house training for Beijing Tianping Travel. Staff delivered a presentation on direct air service from China to LAX, LAX's latest modernization efforts, and shopping at LAX. L.A. Mini Products/Packages and L.A. Angels Academy 2.0, a mobile training program, were reintroduced at the event to support LAX as a gateway to the U.S.

Travel Trade Training with China Southern Airlines 
On March 8, 2019, Los Angeles Tourism’s Beijing office, China Southern Airlines, and Da Yun Tong Travel, one of the largest wholesalers in Northeast China, co-hosted a travel trade training event. LAX's modernization developments and connecting routes into LAX as well as LAX’s position as a major gateway into the U.S. were presented to the travel trade audience.

Routes Asia 2019
From March 10-12, 2019, LAX and Los Angeles Tourism’s China office attended the Routes Asia 2019 convention in Cebu. The Los Angeles team met with 17 airlines based throughout the Asia-Pacific region during the 3-day B2B event. Current business operations into LAX, future development plans and potential for L.A. Tourism support, and LAX's latest facility upgrades were discussed. 

TTWG Ningbo Tourism Industry Exchange Workshop
On March 16, Los Angeles Tourism’s Shanghai office attended Travel Trade Working Group’s (TTWG) Ningbo Tourism Industry Exchange Workshop organized by the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai. Staff met with Ningbo trade and highlighted non-stop air service from Eastern China to LAX. L.A. Mini Products/Packages, L.A. Angels Academy, the WeChat trade platform and new L.A. product were also introduced.

Brand USA China Sales Mission 2019 
Brand USA’s China Sales Mission 2019 was held in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai from March 18-22, 2019. Staff met with leading tour operators and travel agents from throughout China to highlight nonstop air service between China and LAX and provide an update on new and existing L.A. product. LA. Mini Products/ Packages and Angel Academy 2.0 were recommended as resources on Los Angeles.

Galaxy Tour Inc. Chengdu Office In-house Training
On March 19, 2019, Los Angeles Tourism’s Chengdu office conducted the second in-house training at Galaxy Tour Inc.’s Chengdu office. Staff delivered a presentation on direct air service from China to LAX, LAX's modernization developments, dining, and shopping at LAX. L.A. Mini Products/Packages and L.A. Angels Academy 2.0, a mobile training program, were reintroduced at the training to support gateway arrivals through LAX.

CITS Shenzhen In-house Training
On March 22, 2019, Los Angeles Tourism’s Guangzhou office conducted an in-house training at CITS Shenzhen. During the training, staff delivered a presentation on non-stop air services from China to LAX highlighting Air China, Cathay Pacific, American Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines routes. LAX airport's modernization, the Private Suite at LAX, brand-new hotels and L.A. Mini Products/ Packages were also presented.

In March, the Communications team hosted a journalist from Passport Magazine, an LGBTQ travel-focused publication, as he explored L.A.’s diverse culinary and cultural offerings for future editorial coverage. He enjoyed culinary experiences at The Exchange at Freehand and Border Grill, as well as a visit to the Hollywood Museum, among others. Accommodations were provided by The Mayfair Hotel and Kimpton Everly.
 

Additionally, the team worked with the CNN Airport Network on a segment highlighting “Instagrammable Los Angeles.” The segment will showcase various art murals throughout the city as well as the most Instagram-worthy photos you can take at LINE Hotel Los Angeles and the Original Farmers Market.
 

Also in March, the team hosted two U.K. journalists for future editorial coverage. Their itineraries highlighted only-in-L.A. experiences such as Universal Studios Hollywood while accommodations were provided by Malibu Beach Inn, Farmers Daughter Hotel and The Garland.
 

Additionally, the team hosted a crew from the popular Chinese site YOHO! and Mars app to film “Mars CITY," a video series that follows local Los Angeles talent who showcase their favorite spots across the destination. Los Angeles will be the second city highlighted in this series (following New York), which begins airing in June. Accommodations were provided by the Freehand Hotel.