Los Angeles hits tourism growth target two years early
Los Angeles welcomed 50 million visitors last year, reaching its growth target two years early.
The new record is 1.5 million visitors higher than 2017’s total and a 3.1% increase.
It is the eighth consecutive year of tourism growth for the destination.
"Los Angeles is a place where everyone is welcome, and tourism strengthens our diversity, grows our economy, and supports good-paying jobs for families across our city," said Mayor Eric Garcetti.
"Surpassing 50 million annual visitors two years ahead of schedule is the latest milestone in our ongoing work to bring Los Angeles to the world, and the world to Los Angeles."
Los Angeles set new tourism records for both domestic and international visitation, hosting an estimated 42.5 million domestic visitors (up 3%) and 7.5 million international visitors (up 3.6%).
After a slight dip in 2017, visitation from Mexico reached its highest level ever with 1.8 million visitors, a 4% rise.
China recorded an all-time high 1.2 million visitors, making Los Angeles the number one ranked US city for Chinese travelers. Numbers were up 6.9% and the largest net gain among all international markets.
Other international markets recording their highest visitation totals ever in 2018 included Canada with 780,000 (4.5% up ) the UK with 382,000 (up 3%) and Japan with 349,000 (up 2.5%).
Tourism officials said the growth had been achieved thanks to a rise in international seat capacity at Los Angeles International Airport, the addition of nearly 2,000 hotel rooms, its growing reputation as a hot culinary and cultural destination; and its latest global campaign, ‘L.A. Loves’.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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