Long-serving tourism, marketing and promotions representative for Los Angeles, Craig Gibbons, will see his remit increased to include six new Asian countries as Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board increases its presence in the Asia Pacific market.

Under his expanded responsibilities and in addition to Australia and New Zealand, Gibbons will now represent the destination’s tourism and MICE interests in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The role will see him develop destination-based training tools for the travel industry and event planners in alignment with the LA Insider Program, attend industry events in the region and both establish and nurture air links for LAX with various aviation hubs.

Gibbons is already well versed with the Indonesia market, having previously served as Australia Country Manager for Visit Indonesia.

In 2018, Los Angeles welcomed 130,800 visitors from the six countries – an increase of five per cent year-on-year. Speaking of Gibbons’ new appointment, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board Vice-President of Tourism, Kathryn Smits, said the city was already home to a large resident population from Southeast Asia.

“Southeast Asia continues to be an expanding source-market for travel to the United States and we are keen to increase and support airlift from the region.

“As Craig has developed great familiarity with and relationships in this market over the course of his tenure as our Regional Director, Australia/New Zealand, it was a natural progression to dedicate more efforts to attracting visitors from Southeast Asia and have him lead the charge.”