L.A celebrates 50m visitors… with a hologram of Kobe Bryant

Los Angeles welcomed 50m visitors in 2018, according to the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (LATCB).

The Board celebrated the milestone, which was achieved two years ahead of target, by enlisting LA-based VNTANA to create a hologram of basketball superstar Kobe Bryant, delivering a message about LA being the ‘sports capital of the world’. A video of the hologram can be viewed above.

This is now the eighth consecutive year of tourism growth for Los Angeles. The announcement was made at a special gathering of LA’s tourism and hospitality community.

Mayor Eric Garcetti commented: “Los Angeles is a place where everyone is welcome, and tourism strengthens our diversity, grows our economy, and supports well-paying jobs for families across our city.

“Surpassing 50 million annual visitors two years ahead of schedule is the latest milestone in our ongoing work to bring Los Angeles to the world, and the world to Los Angeles.”

Ernest Wooden Jr, president & CEO of the LATCB, commented: “The 50m milestone was set in 2013 as a north star goal for the tourism industry, but our unwavering focus on its significant community impact and tangible economic benefits seamlessly transformed it into a civic rallying cry for all of Los Angeles.

“Thank you to our city leadership and hospitality partners for their endless support and ongoing investments that have cemented tourism in L.A. as a powerful driver of economic growth.”

Stuart Wood is a news reporter across the Mash Media editorial portfolio. He writes for CMW alongside sister publications Conference News, Exhibition News, Access All Areas and Exhibition World.

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