Los Angeles hosted a record 42.2 million visitors in 2013, an increase of 2% on 2012 and a third consecutive record breaking year for tourism.
Announcing the numbers at the California Science Center, Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti said: "The continuing, record-breaking growth and strength of tourism in Los Angeles is a shining light for our economy, creating good-paying jobs for our families, benefiting local businesses, and generating significant revenue for the city that goes toward the important public services our city needs."
The mayor highlighted the California Science Center itself as one of the main drivers for the increase in visitors alongside improvements in public infrastructure and at LAX Airport.
LA also became the first US city to attract 1 million Facebook fans.
A breakdown of the numbers reveals a 1.9% year-on-year increase in domestic tourists to 36 million and 6.2 million visitors from overseas.
China remains LA’s No. 1 overseas market and grew by over 21% last year.
Hotel occupancy during the year reached an all-time high of 76.8%, with a record 27.2 million room nights sold.
According to LA Tourism CEO Ernest Wooden Jr., the city is on target to reach 50 million visitors by 2020.
To maintain the momentum LA Tourism has earmarked a 2014 marketing campaign for the UK, Australia, Canada and China with a focus on the international meetings and conventions market.
