Los Angeles rolls out red carpet for ME
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board states that there was a 2.3 per cent year-on-year increase in visitors from the Middle East in 2016, compared to 2015. The destination has registered an increase of 6.3 per cent in new visitor spend, reveals its Regi
Q How important is the Middle East market for LA?
The Gulf/Middle East market has seen impressive growth over the last few years. In 2014, we saw a 43 per cent growth year-on-year, and in 2015 we saw a 20 per cent growth yearon-year. While the growth has stabilised, we still view and consider this market as one with tremendous potential.
The spending power of our friends from the Gulf/ Middle East region has not gone unnoticed, and we have worked very diligently with major carriers like Qatar, Emirates, Etihad and more on new direct air service offerings. We are committed to the market and have invested in the GCC by appointing Four Communications in 2016 for year-round trade outreach in the GCC
Q Do share about the recent ‘welcome’ campaign?
As a response to a business problem our economists have forecast the possibility of 800,000 less international visitors over the next three years, due in large part to a perceived “anti-welcome” sentiment. Discover Los Angeles conceived of and created a multi-pronged ‘welcome’ initiative. One of the activities included a direct message from our President and CEO, Ernest Wooden Jr. to our critically important travel trade audience worldwide.
In this message, Mr. Wooden reinforces that L.A.’s hospitality community will continue to roll out the red carpet for all our visitors. As a followup to that initiative, we orchestrated one of the world’s largest human-powered welcome signs on May 6. Hundreds of Angelinos gathered in the flight path of LAX to spell out “welcome” in four languages: Arabic, English Chinese and Spanish. The eye-catchy show of solidarity was seen from the air by visitors arriving on flights to LAX from across the globe including flights arriving from the GCC into LAX
Q Any hotel new openings?
From modern boutique hotels and luxury properties, more than a dozen hotels are opening in Los Angeles this year. Exciting new hotels which have already launched in 2017 include Dream Hollywood, The Everly Hollywood and Hotel Indigo Downtown Los Angeles, whilst new openings for spring and beyond include Nobu Ryokan Malibu (June 2017), InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown (Summer 2017), and Nomad Hotel Downtown Los Angeles (November 2017).
Q Could you list some of the latest tourist attractions?
The latest attractions and greatest events for 2017 include the Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA, which after four years of planning supported by more than $16 million in grants from the Getty Foundation, will begin on September 15, 2017, in more than 70 cultural institutions throughout Southern California. The unprecedented collaboration will offer the public hundreds of concurrent exhibitions, programs and events on the subject of Latin American and Latino art, presented for four months in institutions ranging from community-based cultural organisations and university art galleries to the region’s biggest museums. Los Angeles will welcome world-famous acts and rising stars for another stellar year of concerts. Throughout the year, iconic venues like the Hollywood Bowl, STAPLES Center and more will be hosting performances by acts from around the world.
Q What unique offerings are there for Middle East visitors?
Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world, offering 75 miles of sunny coastline, a flourishing Downtown, lifestyle playgrounds for the rich and famous, acclaimed restaurants, trend-setting art and fashion scenes, and internationally favored neighborhoods – all of which are highly attractive to visitors. Our residents and hospitality community still rolls out the same red carpet to all visitors, as we always have. From world-class shopping at brand-new venues and shopping districts and more than 300 days of mild temperatures and sunshine, to only-in-LA experiences like backstage tours of the acclaimed Dolby Theatre, visitors to LA are treated to memorable experiences. We will be promoting Los Angeles as the ‘go to’ destination in the US.
Exciting new hotels which have already launched in 2017 include Dream Hollywood, and The Everly Hollywood