A record 45.5 million people visit Los Angeles
Los Angeles welcomed a record 45.5 million visitors in 2015, an increase of 2.8 percent over 2014 levels, breaking visitation records for the fifth consecutive year.
The new tourism records were enjoyed by both domestic and international markets, surpassing mid-year forecasts.
The total domestic visitation reached 38.8 million, a 2.8 percent increase over 2014, while 6.7 million international visitors made Los Angeles their destination of choice, a 3.3 percent increase over the previous year.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said “Los Angeles is a place where the world comes together for cultural experiences and celebrated attractions that cannot be found anywhere else.”
“Our city keeps setting records in the tourism sector because we are investing billions at our airport, in mass transit, and other assets that are making L.A. more exciting and accessible than ever. The sky’s the limit.”
Mexico was the top country, with 779,000 visitors, followed by China with a year-over-year growth of 13.6 percent. South Korea also grew by double digits, an increase of 11 percent, totalling more than 282,000 visitors.
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, president & CEO, Ernest Wooden Jr, said “We want to recognize and congratulate our hospitality community for their passion and dedication which has allowed us to celebrate our fifth consecutive year of record-breaking visitation. It’s these individuals and businesses that make Los Angeles such a dynamic destination that 45.5 million people traveled to experience it in 2015.”
Tourism is among the largest and healthiest contributors to the Los Angeles economy, supporting more than 464,000 jobs in the Leisure & Hospitality sector. A record 28.5 million hotel room nights were sold countywide with ADR reaching a new high of $158.35, a 7.4 percent increase over 2014. In the calendar year 2015, it is estimated that hotel visitors generated at least $223 million in transient-occupancy tax collections for the City of Los Angeles.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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