Los Angeles Welcomes Official Inaugural Leisure Travel Groups From China – A 50% Increase In Chinese Visitors Expected After 12 Months

WHAT:

WHAT:
    To kick off a historic week in Los Angeles, LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau will formally welcome the first ever official leisure tour groups from China to LA. Leisure groups from China are now allowed to visit the United States as the result of a significant agreement reached last year between the U.S. and China. Los Angeles expects to see a 50 percent increase in travel from China after the first 12 months. More than 200 Chinese visitors, traveling with tourism officials from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangchou will join LA City officials at Universal Studios Hollywood.
 
  
WHO:
  Mark Liberman, president & CEO, LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau 
  Larry Kurzweil, president/COO, Universal Studios Hollywood
 
  Helmi Hisserich, Deputy Mayor, Housing Economic Development Policy, City of Los Angeles 
  Gu Xiaoyuan of Beijing Tourism Bureau 
  Shen Chao of Shanghai Municipal Tourism Bureau 
  Yang Rongshen of Guangzhou Provencial Tourism Bureau 
  Consul General Representative 
  Approximately 250 Chinese Tourists 
 
 
WHEN:
  Monday, June 23, 2008
 
  Noon - Chinese tourists take Universal Studios Hollywood studio tour in Mandarin
 
  2 p.m. to 3 p.m. - Press event (refreshments will be served)
 
  2:15 p.m. - Program begins
 
  3:15 p.m. - More Chinese tourists take Universal Studios studio tour in Mandarin
 
  
WHERE:
  The Globe Theatre at Universal Studios Hollywood 
  
VISUALS:
  Chinese visitors taking studio tour, official city certificates distributed to China tourism officials (Any media that want to take the Chinese language tour with the tourists will be allowed to at this time.)
 
  
PARKING:
  Enter Universal Studios Blvd. off the 101 Freeway or Universal Hollywood Drive off of Lankershim Blvd. Follow directional signs to press parking at Frankenstein lot and press check-in located at the Green Iron Gates to the left of the theme park's main entrance.
 

Note to Editors: RSVP for attendance and scheduling of one-on-one interviews and collecting b-roll on site is requested in advance.

Contacts
LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau
Robin McClain
Office: 213-236-2397
Mobile: 323-640-4272