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TRAVEL FOR LIFE: Kathy Smits, Los Angeles Tourism's VP International Tourism

If 'home is where the heart is', then the heart of true Angeleno Kathy Smits is buried deep in Los Angeles, the city she was born, raised, & now passionately sells to the world.

If ‘home is where the heart is’, then the heart of true Angeleno Kathy Smits is buried deep in Los Angeles, the city she was born, raised, & now passionately sells to the world.

The VP of International Tourism for Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board told KARRYON that despite having lived in the city most of her life, she can never get enough of it especially as it’s ever-changing.

“There’s always a new neighbourhood to be explored and some fabulous new restaurant that’s opening,” she explained.

“I’d recommend basing yourself in one of our 30 different neighbourhoods, somewhere you haven’t yet been, and really get to know it – the restaurants, bars, attractions and activities.”

Read on for more of our chat with Los Angeles Tourism’s Kathy Smits’:

 

What’s your favourite thing to do in Los Angeles on a Saturday night?

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Kathy (second from the right) with her team.

The Hollywood Bowl, when it’s in season (June – September), is such an incredible cultural experience. It’s only about a 15-minute walk north of the Hollywood & Highland Centre, and everyone from Lady Gaga to the L.A. Philharmonic has performed there.

 

Which local sporting event are you most likely to sit down & watch for a full season?

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The basketball. Growing up in Los Angeles, I have a soft spot for the L.A. Lakers.

 

What do you love about representing Los Angeles?

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Los Angeles is at the forefront of so much, whether it’s the diversity of the people, the food or the experiences. It’s a city that’s constantly evolving and there’s a certain freedom and fun that goes hand in hand with that.

 

Los Angeles is famous for its celebrity sightings, which celebrity have you randomly run into that left you starstruck?

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As the home of entertainment and movie-making, celebrities have always been a part of the community in L.A. and you do see them frequently, so I’m afraid that means I don’t really get starstruck.

 

Is there anything in the city that you’re yet to do but are really keen to do?

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For me, there’s always a new neighbourhood to be explored and some fabulous new restaurant that’s opening and I can never get enough of that!

For Aussie travellers planning a trip, I’d recommend basing yourself in one of our 30 different neighbourhoods, somewhere you haven’t yet been, and really get to know it – the restaurants, bars, attractions and activities.

 

If you weren’t representing Los Angeles, which city (worldwide) would you want to represent?

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I’d have no problem representing Sydney. I think there are so many similarities between the two cities, from a healthy lifestyle to the sunshine.

 

What’s the weirdest or most amazing thing you’ve experienced in Los Angeles?

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Not weird, but the sunsets are amazing, they never get old. The weirdest would have to be seeing the way Angelenos love to dress their pets.

Click here to learn more about Kathy’s work.