China remains key source for Los Angeles tourism

China continues to be one of Los Angeles' top tourism sources despite a modest recovery in the industry in 2023.

So far this year, the city has welcomed more than 400,000 Chinese visitors, highlighting the resilience and importance of the market to LA's tourism industry.

Adam Burke, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board and vice-chair of the World Tourism Alliance, said it's "impossible" to overstate the importance of Chinese visitors to Los Angeles.

"In 2019, Los Angeles welcomed 1.2 million Chinese guests — a record number that made it our top overseas market," Burke told China Daily. "As global travel trends evolve, the enduring connection between Los Angeles and Chinese travelers remains a cornerstone of our international tourism strategy."

The significant influx of Chinese tourists can be attributed in part to the successful China-US Tourism Leadership Summit earlier this year. The summit brought together key stakeholders from both nations and fostered stronger ties and collaboration, encouraging travel and tourism exchanges.

The event highlighted the mutual benefits of tourism as a bridge between cultures, emphasizing the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation to enhance the travel experience for visitors from both countries, according to Burke.

"With so many new attractions and experiences in LA, there has never been a better time to visit our City of Angels. Through 50 years of people-to-people exchanges, we have formed enduring bonds of friendship that hold the promise of a brighter future," said Burke, adding that cultural and economic ties have been strengthened over decades, reflecting the long-term value of Chinese tourism to the region.

Local businesses and attractions have felt the positive impact of the steady stream of visitors, contributing to the economic vitality of the Southern California region.

From luxury shopping districts like Rodeo Drive to iconic landmarks such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Chinese tourists have become a vital part of the city's tourism landscape.

As the global travel industry continues to recover, Los Angeles remains optimistic about further growth and engagement with Chinese tourists. The return of visitors is seen as a key component of the city's post-pandemic economic-recovery strategy.

A significant boost to this optimism came at the end of August, when United Airlines restored its Los Angeles-to-Shanghai nonstop service, becoming the only US carrier to fly the route.

On the evening of Aug 30, United Airlines Flight UA199 took off from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Los Angeles, resuming direct flights between the two cities.

The resumption is an important milestone, marking a key step in the broader recovery of air travel between China and the United States, according to Rofia Larsson, vice-president of Global Tourism Development at the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board.

"This route reconnects Shanghai and Los Angeles, two diverse and dynamic cities. It not only provides convenience for Chinese tourists visiting Los Angeles but also offers American tourists opportunities to explore China's beauty and culture," said Larsson, who attended the resumption celebration with representatives of the US Tourism Bureau and California Visitors Bureau in Beijing.

It is anticipated that the restored route will help reignite the flow of Chinese tourists to Los Angeles and beyond.

"Los Angeles has always attached great importance to the Chinese market. As an important gateway for Chinese tourists to visit the United States, we continue to create new attractions and experiences with enthusiasm. We welcome more Chinese tourists to this vibrant City of Angels," Larsson added.