Premier Holidays combined forces with the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau to take a group of UK agents on its inaugural LA Travel Academy educational course. The five-day programme combined campus training sessions at the University of California with first-hand experience of LA County’s attractions and its surroundings. By next summer, 200 UK agents will participate in the programme. We asked three agents for their impressions before and after the trip.
Before: I expected the US to conform to its media image of being larger than life and that Hollywood and Disneyland would be the main attractions. I knew LA had a bad reputation for crime but I kept an open mind as I had visited other places with similar reputations. I’ve sent quite a few clients to LA as we sell a lot of cruises that embark there – but clients only tend to stay for one day.
After: LA has a lot more to offer than I imagined, with many cultural attractions. There are a lot of museums, art shows, good shops and restaurants – enough to fill four or five days. The Getty Centre is amazing, with a fantastic exhibition and incredible gardens. The people are very friendly and far more open-minded than I thought. When it comes to nightlife, it seems anything goes. I am definitely recommending clients stay longer and enjoy LA.
Marie Anne Achille, Assistant Manager, Personal Service Travel, Eastbourne, Sussex, Age: 39
Before: I heard reports that LA is a bit dangerous. I didn’t sell many holidays there because I was unsure whether to recommend a place that I had not been to, and which had a bad image with some clients. I thought the people would be a bit aggressive and because it was a big city, the atmosphere would be a bit rough and uncomfortable.
After: I feel totally confident recommending LA now and have no fears for my clients’ safety. It’s not an intimidating place at all. The beaches are lovely but there is lots more to do besides. Areas such as Westwood Village, Chinatown, Downtown, Hollywood and Santa Monica are all worth a visit. Then there’s the valleys, Universal Studios and the other theme parks. It is surprising how much there is to do and how easy it is to combine it with San Francisco and Las Vegas. There is something for everyone in LA.
Joanne Murphy, Long-Haul specialist, Ron Morgan Travel, Edinburgh, Age: 21
Before: I had been to California before but not to LA. If I suggested it to a client, I often got a negative reaction. People think it’s a big city with a lot of problems where you stay in your hotel at night and can’t really do or see very much with ease. Our clients want attractive destinations which are relaxed and trouble-free. LA didn’t really seem to fit the bill.
After: I am definitely going back to LA for my own holiday. It is an area of real contrasts and the coast around Santa Monica is superb. The museums and cultural attractions are wonderful and Hollywood and Beverly Hills truly live up to expectations. The nightlife is also superb. I am now recommending LA as an alternative to New York. The LA Travel Academy course is excellent – it really gives you an in-depth knowledge of the places you visit.
Douglas Muir, Director, Logan Travel, Edinburgh, Age: 37