LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (L.A. Tourism) President & CEO Ernest Wooden Jr. announced that 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.
New tourism records were set for both domestic and international visitation surpassing mid-year forecasts. Total domestic visitation reached 38.8 million, a 2.8 percent increase over 2014, and 6.7 million international visitors made Los Angeles their ultimate destination, a 3.3 percent increase over the previous year.
“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,” said Mayor Garcetti.
China was the most dynamic market driving international visitation with a year-over-year growth of 13.6 percent, officially becoming L.A.’s number two international market, behind Mexico, with 779,000 visitors. South Korea also grew by double digits, an increase of 11 percent, totaling more than 282,000 visitors.
Tourism is among the largest and healthiest contributors to the L.A. economy, supporting more than 464,000 jobs in the Leisure & Hospitality sector. A record 28.5 million hotel room nights were sold countywide with average daily rates (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.
