The Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board (L.A. Tourism) has revealed that Los Angeles County’s record-setting 47.3 million visitors injected an all-time high USD$21.9 billion into the local economy in 2016.
The new visitor spend milestone is USD$1.3 billion more than 2015’s total, an increase of 6.3 per cent.
Traveller spending generated USD$33.6 billion in total economic impact for Los Angeles County (including the induced and indirect benefits). Tourism contributed more than USD$2.65 billion in state and local tax revenues in 2016.
A key economic driver in Los Angeles, tourism supports 510,500 jobs within the Leisure and Hospitality sector – one of the county’s largest and strongest sectors. The industry contributed to the addition of 21,400 new jobs last year, a 4.4 per cent year-over-year increase.
“This is L.A.’s moment. We’re breaking tourism records every year, and this is only the beginning,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti.
“This National Travel and Tourism Week, we are celebrating our thriving tourism industry and looking ahead at the limitless opportunity to come, with attractions like the Lucas Museum and a potential Summer Olympics that will cement Los Angeles’ standing as the world’s best destination.”
L.A. County’s average occupancy rate for 2016 reached 81.3 per cent, surpassing 80 per cent for the first time in County history with a record 29.2 million hotel room nights sold countywide. City of L.A. hotel visitors generated USD$268 million in transient-occupancy tax collections for the City, funds used for critical community services.
“These remarkable achievements mark a sixth straight year of industry milestones, reaffirming tourism as a powerful driver of economic growth for Los Angeles,” said Ernest Wooden Jr., president and CEO of Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board.
“We are thankful for each member of our diverse resident and hospitality community as their everyday commitment to rolling out our signature red carpet is what makes L.A. such a dynamic destination, where everyone is welcome.”