Political barriers couldn’t keep Los Angeles from breaking tourism records in 2018 when it attracted some 50 million visitors! This year, that figure is expected to grow thanks in large part to the destination’s appeal & ongoing investments by the city’s leaders.
While mostly referred to as the ‘City of Angels’, Los Angeles could also be considered the ‘City of Advancement’ as it enters a state of innovation and development that’ll range from new hotels to a better airport and more.
Craig Gibbons of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board listed four years worth of changes to media in Sydney last week, saying they’ll keep the destination fresh and entice people to return again, and again, and again.
Read on for the Regional Director Australia and New Zealand’s list of exciting changes:
1. A NEW AIRPORT TERMINAL WITH 11 INT’L GATES (INITIALLY)
LAX is currently the world’s fourth largest airport, handling over 1,200 daily non-stop international flights. Come 2020, and the airport will be able to handle much more with the opening of the Midfield Satellite Concourse.
Inside the new terminal, 11 new international gates will come online in 2020. Another nine will be available over the next two years.
“It’s a game-changer,” said Gibbons.
2. WORLD’S LONGEST PEOPLE MOVER
Some (Australians) may refer to it as a monorail, while others say it’s a People Mover.
Whatever you call it, the one at LAX will be the longest in the world and it’ll be used to clear congestion from the roads by moving people to and from terminals to other parts of the gateway.
3. 30 NEW HOTELS OPENING
There’ll be no shortage of rooms!
Over the next four years, Los Angeles will see 30 new hotels open their doors, especially in Downtown and Hollywood.
The product will vary from the beautiful Fairmont in Central City to the glamorous Godfrey Hotel in Hollywood. Hyatt will make its debut in Downtown, while the city will also welcome its third W by Marriott.
“We have amazing hotels opening up that are destinations within themselves,” Gibbons said.
He added that a number of Los Angeles’ existing hotels will also undergo refurbishments to complement the new product.
4. A MUSEUM DEDICATED TO ACADEMY AWARD-WINNING MOVIES
From the Wizard of Oz to Black Panther.
Travellers will be able to delve further into Los Angeles’ movie-making scene at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
Opening its doors in the coming years, the dome-like structure will take people through the history of popular movies, it’ll house different exhibitions throughout the year, there’ll be a movie theatre, and it’ll have views of Hollywood and the Hollywood sign.
“Movies and entertainment is something that Los Angeles really owns and no other city can compete with that,” Gibbons said proudly.
5. A NEW STADIUM FOR NFL, THE SUPERBOWL & OLYMPICS
It’s an all-in-one.
A new NFL stadium called ‘SoFi’ is currently under construction near LAX where it’ll not only be the new home to the Rams but it’ll also host the 2022 Super Bowl AND the 2028 Olympics.
Beyond games, it will also act as an entertainment complex with restaurants, hotels and easy access to the airport.
6. A PETS ATTRACTION – NOT FOR ACTUAL PETS
Universal Studios Hollywood is following the recent opening of its Jurassic World attraction with a new ‘Secret Life of Pets’ experience.
Although details are scarce, the new addition will be based on the Dreamworks movie and is expected to open in 2020.
The studio will also continue focusing on holiday-themed experiences such as Christmas takeover inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the forthcoming park-wide Halloween Horror Nights.