Jayne White, Premier Holidays’ US product manager, said: “It’s too early to say what the potential impact will be for Los Angeles and California for future travel, but most tourist areas have not been affected.
“Premier Holidays will continue to support and promote LA and California, and reassure our clients about their travel plans. We have not received any calls from clients worried about the impact of the fires or wishing to cancel, switch or amend bookings.”
Agents report similar. Travel Counsellor Marie Rowe told TTG: “I haven’t heard about anyone deciding against booking LA because of the fires.
“I have departures in the spring for Californian fly-drives, which include parts of LA but not the areas that have been affected by the fires. If this changes, I will work with my clients to amend their itineraries to feature alternative locations.”
’Outpouring of support’
Visit California president and chief executive Caroline Beteta is calling on the UK travel industry to help the region recover from the fires. “The Los Angeles wildfires have made the past two weeks incredibly difficult for California, but we’ve all rallied together to support Angelenos,” she told TTG, adding UK operators and agents could help by continuing to bring business in future.
“All the icons you and your clients have come to love, including the Hollywood Sign, Universal Studios Hollywood, the Santa Monica Pier and many more, remain intact and open to visitors. Your patronage will make a huge difference, especially as businesses face the daunting task of healing, continuing business and keeping their staff on board, whose lives and livelihoods have been severely affected.
“Now is the time to plan a trip to Los Angeles and support the iconic restaurants, hotels, museums and parks that need you to keep their doors open.”
Beteta added operators, agents and travellers can find accurate, up-to-date information from local authorities via visitcalifornia.com’s travel alerts, which feature links to updates on relief accommodations, road closures and the charitable organisations on the ground.
Francine Sheridan, Los Angeles Tourism’s Europe and Middle East regional vice-president, said she welcomed the support from the UK travel industry, stressing UK trade initiatives including a pre-planned spring promotional campaign would go ahead, although she added: “We’re still adapting to the fires in real-time and looking at the right timing/nuance for our campaigns.”
She continued: “It has been heartbreaking to watch what unfolded in our City of Angels. The outpouring of support from our travel trade peers and partners has been incredible, and we are truly grateful.”
Sheridan said the city was continuing to adjust to the “myriad challenges” caused by the fires, and advised operators and agents to stay up-to-date via discoverlosangeles.com – adding tourism would undoubtedly play an “essential role” in the city’s recovery. “It sustains jobs, supports local businesses, and helps communities rebuild,” said Sheridan.
“We are continuing to approach this with deep sensitivity and respect for those directly impacted by the wildfires, many of whom rely on the economic engine of the LA tourism industry for their livelihood.”
Among many charitable initiatives in LA supporting those affected by the wildfires, Los Angeles Tourism has established a dedicated landing page for the American Red Cross and will be matching all donations dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000.
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