Hollywood wants sequel of starry status
Traditionally, visitors have flocked to Tinsel Town to see Marilyn Monroe’s handprints in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and Tom Selleck’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. But recently, visitors have found other attractions with more star power.
The pain of such tourist frugal spending last year was felt by everyone in the tourism business: waiters, tour bus drivers and souvenir shop owners, many of whom are calling it Hollywood’s worst year for tourism since 9-11.
Even famous Mel’s Drive-In, the iconic ’50s-themed eatery adjacent to the Hollywood History Museum, waiters and busboys were laid off when business dropped suddenly last winter.
And now, for the first time in more than a decade, Tinsel Town’s top attractions and hotels have united to promote the town in a campaign called “Visit Hollywood 2010,” according to the LA Times.
A coalition of Hollywood tourism boosters are spearheading a promotional campaign to draw visitors to celebrate several milestones and attraction openings taking place this year.
"What I hope to do is to work together to make the destination itself more compelling," said Eliot Sekular, a spokesman for Universal Studios Hollywood, a partner in the campaign.
The effort comes as the travel and tourism industries begin to show signs of rebounding from the US’s economic recession.
The campaign will highlight several significant events, including anniversaries and the opening of a handful of hotels and attractions.
For example, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood Walk of Fame; the 70th anniversary of the Hollywood Palladium Theater; and the 25th anniversary of the Rock Walk, a rock music tribute along Sunset Boulevard.
"2010 is a great year for Hollywood," said Carol Martinez, a spokeswoman for LA Inc., the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau. "It’s the perfect moment to showcase those particular things."
Universal Studios Hollywood also plans this summer to unveil a 3-D King Kong to replace the mechanical ape that was destroyed in a fire at the theme park in 2008.
Last year the wax-figure attraction Madame Tussaud’s opened a 40,000-square-foot facility on Hollywood Boulevard, next to Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. New wax figures at Madame Tussaud’s include marital movie stars Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee.
Business owners also hope several new developments will spark a buzz in Hollywood, including several new hotels.
By David Wilkening
David
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