Los Angeles becomes first US destination to open office in India

As a sign of further commitment to the India market, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board has become the first US destination to open a tourism office in India in Mumbai. The newly opened office will focus on driving travel aspiration and motivate Indian visitors to increase length of stay and spend in Los Angeles. Seema Kadam serves as Los Angeles Tourism’s first Regional Director for India. Los Angeles Tourism President and CEO Ernest Wooden Jr. officially opened the new office alongside international delegates while in the presence of India’s tourism industry. The office will work with the travel trade to develop customised and tailored product itineraries in line with consumer and travel trade interests.

As the fourth-highest international growth market for Los Angeles, the office will develop a cohesive strategy with the travel trade to sustain growth in 2020 and beyond. The office will also develop and support existing and any new air service to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Encouraged by growth indicators in India – especially the market’s vast, growing outbound travel segment – Los Angeles Tourism’s latest visitation forecast projects a year-over-year growth of 4.4 per cent in 2019 with 135,000 Indian visitors. Indian visitation to Los Angeles is expected to grow by a year-over-year average of five per cent over the next five years with nearly 165,000 Indian travelers estimated to visit by 2023.

Commenting on plans for the India market, Ernest Wooden Jr. said, “Los Angeles Tourism’s journey towards this milestone that we celebrate today began nearly three years ago when we set off on a high-octane, strategic and long-term marketing programme. Targeted trade and consumer efforts have helped establish a distinct and relatable identity for Los Angeles amongst Indian travelers and this new office will strengthen our presence and interaction with the local travel community. We are optimistic that the strong foundation we have laid in the country will help us achieve our targets in the years ahead.”