Kicking off IPW 2024 in true City of Angels style, Visit USA Members and the Australian and New Zealand buyer and media delegation were welcomed to Los Angeles with a glitzy rooftop poolside soiree.
The exclusive AU/NZ Welcome Reception event, held at the uber-cool Golden Hour rooftop bar, was this year attended by more than 200 Australian and New Zealand IPW delegates, Visit USA members, and representatives from the US Commercial Service and US Travel.
The sunshine soiree, which welcomed the largest-ever AU/NZ delegation to IPW, was sponsored by Los Angeles Tourism, Visit California, Delta Air Lines and Visit Anaheim and saw guests treated to a downtown L.A afternoon of poolside cocktails, catch-ups and cheer.
Speaking at the event, Caroline Davidson, President of Visit USA Australia, said, “The 2024 AU/NZ IPW delegation is the largest ever brought to IPW, and the Visit USA Welcome Reception is an important event to bring the delegation and Members together to highlight the strength of our market as we go into this week.”
“The Australian market is hungry for USA travel information, and we are all here ready for a huge week to deliver on this. Over 954,000 Australians travelled to the USA last year, and that number is expected to increase by 23% this year,” said Caroline Davidson.
The event was also attended by special guests:
- Don Skeoch, Chief Marketing Officer, Los Angeles Tourism
- Mike Waterman, President & CEO of Visit Anaheim
- Michael Martin, International Relations Manager, U.S. Travel Association
- Brian Beall, Director, National Travel & Tourism Office (NTTO)
Throughout IPW, Visit USA Australia meets with US-based suppliers, attractions, and visitor bureaus to highlight the market opportunities down under, showcase the strength of the Australian travel industry, and encourage Visit USA Membership.
Recent Brand USA research shows the US is the world’s top aspirational destination for leisure travel.
Tourism Economics’ latest forecast shows nearly 78 million visitors are expected to visit the US in 2024, with international visitor spending expected to grow by 74 per cent between 2023 and 2027.
The hugely successful Visit USA Expos, events, and marketing initiatives that Visit USA Australia runs in the Australian market are an easy way for a US-based supplier to reach Australian travel agents.
For more information, head to visitusa.org.au
