Truly reflecting the “US-China Tourism Year,” Los Angeles, California became the first US city to surpass 1 million visitors from China in one year.
L.A. welcomed over 47.3 million tourists in 2016, breaking visitation records for the sixth consecutive year as announced by Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (L.A. Tourism) President & CEO Ernest Wooden Jr.
Having not even ranking in the top 10 international markets a decade ago, China surged to become the second largest source of international visitors to LA, behind Mexico. China alone contributed 75% of LA’s overall international growth, and the number of Chinese visitors grew nearly 22% between 2015 and 2016. According to LA Tourism, in 2015, Chinese visitors spent $1.3 billion in Los Angeles, the most of any international market, with the average visitor spending $212 daily, and the average length of stay being 7.3 nights.
“Chinese visitors are spending more money than others, and they are staying longer,” said Wooden Jr. “They are one of our best visitors, and that’s why we have such a focus on our marketing efforts in China.”
Accelerated marketing strategies in China by LA Tourism have clearly produced results. For example, the program “Nihao China” which covers international marketing, business training and online promotions, has fulfilled its role growing and encouraging Chinese visitation to LA.
The US Department of Commerce reported that exports from California accounted for 11% of total US exports in 2015, with China being California’s third highest export destination, after Mexico and Canada. Californian exports to mainland China totaled $14.4 billion in 2015.
LA Tourism will continue to invest in the inbound tourism market and plans to expand its footprint. Chengdu will become the location of LA Tourism’s fourth office in China when it opens by the end of June 2017, complementing offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. In marketing the destination directly to travel professionals and individuals in China, LA builds upon its sister city partnership with China’s Guangzhou.
Alison Ma is a research intern at the East-West Center in Washington, DC. She is on an exchange program from the University of Sydney.