March 5 2014, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (LA Tourism) announced the launch of NiHao China at the Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel. NiHao China is an innovative strategy to maximize Chinese tourists visit Los Angeles. Los Angeles number one overseas tourism market is China, and welcomed a record of 570,000 Chinese visitors in 2013, a 21% increase in comparison with 2012. LA's NiHao China programs include: The NiHao China Training Program - a custom-designed training program to help Los Angeles-area hotels, attractions and other tourism industry businesses meet the best cultural preferences of Chinese visitors. Upon completion of a series of seminars and businesses they receive a certification from LA Tourism and the China National Tourism Administration to do business with Chinese travel companies. Tour Guide Training & Certification - training and curricula for tour guides to meet quality standards and train these ambassadors to effectively represent Los Angeles when serving Chinese tourists. shop LA - Chinese visitors are the second-highest spenders among overseas visitors, spending more than $450 million a year in Los Angeles. LA Tourism will promote shopLA on its Chinese-language helloLA-website and to the Chinese media and trade. ShopLA will produce 40,000 printed and digital Shop LA guidebooks for Chinese tourists. Participants in the Shop LA program include: Beverly Center; The Citadel; The Grove; Santa Monica Place; Santa Monica Promenade; Westfield Century City; Westfield Santa Anita; LAWA/LAX Westfield; and Hollywood & Highland. Marketing Campaign in China - a new integrated consumer marketing campaign in China and a new comprehensive media campaign highlighting Los Angeles as a meeting and convention destination. Los Angeles welcomed a record-breaking 42.2 million total visitors in 2013, the third consecutive record visitation year and is on track to reach 50 million visitors by 2020. In 2013, Los Angeles welcomed a record of 6.2 million international visitors, and sold a record 27.2 million hotel room nights. |
