The Beverly Center, Los Angeles' premier shopping destination for both tourists and residents, houses the city's first and only "California Welcome Center" for California Tourism.

Boasting ideal weather, miles of coastline, and a plethora of attractions, it's not surprising that California is the most visited state in the nation. With more than $67.9 billion generated annually, the travel and tourism industry is the state's third largest employer, and accounts for approximately six percent of the Gross State Product.

Named as one of Los Angeles' top 20 destinations by the Los Angeles Convention & Visitors Bureau, coupled with its reputation as a place for world-class shopping, dining and entertainment, Beverly Center is a natural choice for promoting California's array of attractions.

One-third of the 13-million annual shoppers that experience Beverly Center are domestic and international travelers. Having a California Welcome Center on the premises dramatically supports California Tourism in its ongoing efforts to provide the highest standards of service and amenities to travelers.

What attracts visitors to California? Among the activities topping California's domestic travelers' lists are dining, shopping and entertainment, all matching Beverly Center's eclectic retail mix and offerings.

Conveniently located on the street level of Beverly Center along Beverly Boulevard, near the world-famous Hard Rock Cafe, the California Welcome Center also offers a beneficial resource for area residents. As the first Welcome Center in Southern California to offer direct and same-day ticket purchases, Angelenos and visitors alike can obtain tickets to the area's leading attractions, museums and entertainment venues.

In addition, visitors to the Center have access to a variety of valuable and unique service-oriented amenities including:

- State & local attraction brochures for many ideas for travel throughout California, including San Diego and San Francisco

- Trained and knowledgeable travel counselors

- Direct internet access to the official California Tourism website including driving directions to destinations

- Giant video screens showcasing the 12 diverse regions of the state

- Beverly Center gift certificates

- Foreign language assistance and translations

- Postage

- Photocopies and faxes

Services also include an on-site ticketing system, a hotel reservation service, phone card dispensers and an ATM. Convenient parking is also available with visitor access to Beverly Center's parking facility, which includes motor coach parking.

The California Welcome Center is open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

"Shopping has proven to be a top activity for visitors to the Golden State," stated Caroline Beteta, executive director, California Travel and Tourism Commission, "and by locating a California Welcome Center in Beverly Center, one of the premier shopping meccas in the state, the needs of visitors can be conveniently served."

Beverly Center is located in Los Angeles at the edge of Beverly Hills and Hollywood on Beverly Blvd. between La Cienega and San Vicente Boulevards. Anchored by Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Macy's Men's Store, and the country's first Hard Rock Cafe, Beverly Center has recently unveiled a multi-million dollar renovation. The center features more than 160 trend-setting, specialty stores and restaurants plus a 13-screen theater showing Hollywood's hottest new releases.

For more information on the California Welcome Center, call (310) 854-7616.

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Media Contact: John Giurini +1 323 650 5125 jgiurini@earthlink.net