Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (L.A. Tourism) today launched 'L.A. Insider,' a new online training tool for travel trade professionals. The mobile and tablet-friendly programme is the first of its kind for L.A. Tourism. It has been designed to help Australian travel trade better sell the city and stay up-to-date with its latest offerings.

Demand for a bespoke online portal of information and selling tools for the travel trade is strong and growing, as global demand to visit Los Angeles continues its rapid upward trajectory. A record 48.3 million tourists visited L.A. in 2017 (411,000 visitors from Australia), a figure that is expected to reach 50 million by 2020.

“We're proud to launch such an advanced training programme, one that will help our clients discover L.A. like an insider and sell L.A. like an expert,” said Craig Gibbons, Regional Director-Australia & New Zealand, L.A. Tourism. “Los Angeles' welcoming spirit, celebration of diversity and perfect weather are bringing visitors in greater numbers. New restaurants, attractions and hotels are opening up quickly to meet demand and it can be difficult to stay on top of all the new developments – L.A. Insider aims to provide the travel trade with a one-stop-shop platform for everything they need.”

L.A. Insider, developed by TravPRO which also launched Visit California's STAR program, will provide easy access to L.A. Tourism's marketing assets, sales collateral such as factsheets, maps, videos and even neighbourhood tours in virtual reality. The programme also provides information on the gateway to North America, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and updates on the airport's multi-billion-dollar modernisation programme with multimedia assets added as they become available.

Participants who complete the L.A. Insider training will receive a certificate, access to discounts and specials from L.A. members, the opportunity to participate in FAMs and be entered to win a trip to one of L.A.'s award shows.

The first 20 agents (in Australia only) who complete the program by 7th May will also receive season passes to Palace Cinemas that can be used to attend the American Essentials Film Festival in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra sponsored by Discover Los Angeles.  Additionally, the first 100 travel agents from across both Australia and New Zealand who complete the L.A. Insider program by 31st May will receive a $25 gift card from Westfield or EFTPOS.

“We are extremely grateful for the ongoing support we receive from our industry partners,” said Ernest Wooden Jr., President and CEO of L.A. Tourism. “The launch of L.A. Insider speaks to our commitment to travel trade professionals by providing them with helpful tools they can use on a daily basis as well as recognition for their expertise.”

L.A. Insider will be rolled out in Spanish, French, German, Korean and Japanese over the coming months with more languages to follow. The market specific modules will feature videos of expats describing what it is they love about Los Angeles and tips to make the most of a visit. L.A. Tourism successfully launched a China-specific online training program, L.A. Angels Academy, in October 2015, with over 5,600 registered users and 1.45 million page views.

To learn more or enrol please visit insider.discoverlosangeles.com.

The L.A. Insider app is available to download from 1st May, 2018.

ENDS

ABOUT LOS ANGELES TOURISM & CONVENTION BOARD 

Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board is a private, non-profit business association whose primary mission is to market and promote Los Angeles as the premier site for leisure travel, meetings and conventions as the City's official tourism marketing organisation.

One of the world's most dynamic and diverse destinations, Los Angeles is comprised of more than 30 diverse neighbourhoods and considered the cultural hub of the Pacific Rim. Home to near-perfect weather, 75 miles of jaw-dropping shoreline, more museums and theatres than any other U.S. city and an award-winning culinary scene, Los Angeles presents endless possibilities that keep its more than 47 million annual visitors entertained. For more information, visit the official visitor information website of Los Angeles at discoverLosAngeles.com, join the more than one million people who follow Discover L.A. at facebook.com/DiscoverLosAngeles, or follow @discoverLA on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.