Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (L.A. Tourism) today announced 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 & 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.”

“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 & CEO of Los Angeles Tourism & 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.” 

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. 

Los Angeles welcomed a record 47.3 million visitors in 2016 with 40.3 million domestic visitors and 7 million international visitors.

ENDS

ABOUT LOS ANGELES TOURISM & CONVENTION BOARD

Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board is a private, non-profit business association whose primary mission is to market and promote Los Angeles as the premier site for leisure travel, meetings and conventions as the City's official tourism marketing organisation.

One of the world's most dynamic and diverse destinations, Los Angeles is comprised of more than 30 diverse neighbourhoods and considered the cultural hub of the Pacific Rim. Home to near-perfect weather, 75 miles of jaw-dropping shoreline, more museums than any other U.S. city and an award-winning culinary scene, Los Angeles presents endless possibilities that keep its more than 47 million annual visitors entertained. For more information, visit the official visitor information website of Los Angeles at discoverLosAngeles.com, join the more than one million people who follow Discover L.A. on facebook.com/DiscoverLosAngeles, or follow @discoverLA on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

*Data sources include Smith Travel Research, Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, and the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation.