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LOS ANGELES, June 15-- The tourism community in Los Angeles greatly values its healthy and long-standing bilateral relationship with that in China, an industry insider has said. Ernest Wooden Jr., president and CEO of Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, told Xinhua in a recent email interview that the investment of marketing resources in China remains steady to ensure Los Angeles remains a premier destination for travelers. According to data released by the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office, tourists from China to the United States dropped for the first time in 15 years, with the number of Chinese tourists traveling to the United States falling 5.7 percent to 2.9 million last year. However, Los Angeles' 2018 visitation from China ran counter to the national figures as the city welcomed a record 1.2 million Chinese visitors, a 6.9 percent year-over-year growth. "Non-stop seat capacity from China to Los Angeles International Airport from January to April this year has increased 4.6 percent compared to the same time-period last year," said Wooden. The organization has made great efforts over the years to ensure Los Angeles as the top-ranked U.S. city for Chinese travelers. According to Wooden, Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board was the first U.S. municipal marketing organization to establish a full-time tourism office in China in 2006. Now, with four full-time offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu, the organization works closely with the Chinese tourism industry to ensure interest in Los Angeles remains strong among Chinese travelers and monitors factors which have the potential to impact future tourism. | 
