Visit West Hollywood has reported its visitor numbers from the UK are holding steady, countering the more general downward trend in visitor figures to the US.
The reason West Hollywood tourism bosses believe their numbers have bucked the trend is to do with the area’s unique proposition, which attracts a more luxury type of traveller.
This week, Visit West Hollywood has brought nine hotel partners on a sales mission to the UK, and speaking with TTG, Tom Kiely, president and CEO, West Hollywood expressed dismay about the global rise in anti-American sentiment triggered by President Trump.
Kiely said: “We’re encouraged that the UK has held steady for us, and that’s because we attract well-heeled, well-travelled visitors, who are less inclined to be put off by stories [in the media]. There are headwinds for sure, and the unhinged comments coming out of DC are of no benefit to us. We don’t know what the next three years [of the Trump presidency] will bring, but we need to lean into our messaging of being welcoming.”
He continued: “We want people to understand that we are a very welcoming destination. In California we are working hard to separate ourselves. We’re a different mindset here. All this talk of people being pulled aside and detained at borders – that’s not happening. There have been zero detentions at Californian airports.”
Kiely highlighted that West Hollywood’s strength was in being an authentic neighbourhood of Los Angeles, where the history of Hollywood is easily accessible but by basing yourself in West Hollywood, you can live more like a local.
This ties into the destination’s soon-to-launch marketing campaign, Unmistakably West Hollywood. With Los Angeles gearing up to host a run of high-profile sports events, including Fifa World Cup matches this summer, the SuperBowl in 2027, followed by the Olympics and Paralympics in 2028, the tourist board is positioning West Hollywood as the ideal base.
Chief marketing officer Jeff Morris told TTG: “Coming to Los Angeles for these events? Base yourself in West Hollywood, the heart of it all. We offer an unmistakable experience, with our rooftop pools, our shopping, our dining, our vibe.”
Alongside the new campaign, West Hollywood has launched a new website, which has an AI trip planner tool and Unmistakably inspiration for travellers.
Visitors to West Hollywood have a choice of 20-plus boutique hotels, with “no two are alike”. The next opening will be Public, from Ian Schrager, an US entrepreneur often credited with creating the first boutique hotels. This will be the second Public in the US, after New York, and the hotel will occupy a building previously home to The Standard, which closed for good during the pandemic.
Kiely said: “This opening – which they’re telling us will happen in June – is going to reignite the centre of Sunset Strip, which has been quieter since The Standard closed. Public will be a tech-forward, sleek property, with a unique style, which should attract a younger clientele. That’s what West Hollywood is about.”
Kiely revealed that Los Angeles tourism officials had met with their Paris counterparts to learn how best to leverage the Olympics and Paralympics.
“If the stars align properly, we’ll see a significant increase in visitation in the next few years,” he said.
“Sports is always such a great bridge,” he concluded. “We hope people will come for that reason, then go home and tell everyone, that wasn’t what I was expecting.”
“LA is still the entertainment capital of the world and that business hasn’t stopped. Look past the chatter and you’ll see we really haven’t changed. We continue to offer a warm welcome.”
