Record number of Britons flock to LA
A record number of Britons visited Los Angeles last year, helping the city to reach its target of a total of 50 million international arrivals two years early.
In total there were 382,000 visits from the UK, up 3% on the previous year. It is the eighth consecutive year of tourism growth for LA.
"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 visitors, 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, numbers from Mexico reached their 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 travellers.
Numbers were up 6.9% and the largest net gain among all international markets.’¨’¨Other international markets recording their highest visitor numbers ever in 2018 included Canada with 780,000 (4.5% up ) 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’.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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