Los Angeles sets ?big bodacious goal? of 50 million tourists in 2020
The relatively new Los Angeles Tourism chief executive Ernest Wooden Jr has set an admittedly ?big bodacious goal? of 50 million tourists to Los Angeles by 2020.
Speaking at this year?s International Pow Wow (IPW), Mr Wooden, who was recently in China visiting with hotel developers, said that while the tourism body has ?a bunch we gotta do?, the road to 50 million tourists starts with developing new hotels.
?It?s a compelling investment opportunity because Los Angeles enjoys occupancy in excess of 80 percent annually, which means most nights in LA all of our hotels are sold out,? Mr Wooden said.
According to Mr Wooden, analysts have predicted that Los Angeles can absorb 5,000 new hotel rooms without negatively affecting the occupancy of the city.
Mr Wooden further acknowledged the stigma attached to Los Angeles? public transportation system (or its perceived lack thereof) and told international media that the tourism body has thus developed the Car Free LA program which features a series of free self-guided tours to enable visitors to explore Los Angeles? neighborhoods and attractions on foot, by bike and by public transportation.
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