April News: We Have 18 New L.A. Travel Experts! from the U.K.

My apologies for my tardiness! It's been work work work and then a well deserved week off. But I finally want to congratulate our Spring 2009 brand new
UCLA Extension/LA Inc. certified Los Angeles Travel Experts!

After the Graduation: Universal Studios! Group favorite: The Simpsons Ride!

The Los Angeles Travel Academy is a collaborative program between L.A. Inc and UCLA Extension. It consists of three mornings of classroom instruction and three afternoons and evenings of field trips throughout Los Angeles. The goal is to familiarize travel agents from foreign countries with our area so they can assist their customers more efficiently and increase their sales of L.A. as a destination.
L.A. Inc. Manager of Travel Industry Sales and Marketing Karran Rouzan, as well as Tamy Ly and Diana Rojas plan and coordinate each Academy. The course curriculum was developed in collaboration with UCLA Extension’s academic staff and the course fulfills UCLA’s academic standards. I am the instructor and guide for the 4 to 5 days of the Academy.
Our students get tested and they receive a UCLA Extension Certificate! Students all tell us that this course is unique in the travel industry.

We spent 4 intense days together, studying and exploring as much of the Los Angeles area as possible. Since March we have become Facebook friends! I also learned that Jiffy Lube can have a whole new meaning, very different from our U.S. interpretation! Our travel agents-students flew in from all over the United Kingdom. A BIG Thank You to Virgin Atlantic for sponsoring the tickets! Karen Parsons from Virgin came along just for a day in L.A. to bring the group over and meet everyone here. That's jet-setting! The Airport Hilton helped out with rooms for the whole group.

Karran Rouzan, Manager, Travel Industry Sales & Marketing
LA INC. THE LOS ANGELES CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

On Gerald "Gerry" Chaves' bus! Gerry is owner of L.A Tours. He also is very knowledgeable as a guide and driver. Gerry's expertise in architecture enhances every corner of L.A. you will see. On this assignment, Gerry showed me a Frank Gehry house in Venice Beach, just steps from the boardwalk, that I never knew existed.
Gerry@latours.net / Phone: 323-460-6490

Congratulations! Everyone passed the exam!

The new L.A. Experts are:

*Robert Ives, Travel 2
*Christopher Johns, LastMinute.com
*Sherree Beaton, Gold Medal
*Hayley Bowe, Gold Medal
*Janice Bruce, Travel Counsellors
*Lesley Clements, Travel Counsellors
*Carrie Ogilvie, Travel Mood
*Hannah Yapp, Travel Mood
*Deniz Butt, Major Travel
*Fiona Price, Thomson America/Hayes & Jarvis
*Helen Hourquet, Funway
*Leanne Olphert, Kuoni
*Laura Lamb, Cosmos National Call Centre
*Maureen Todd, STA Travel
*Hannah Grinter, Thomson America/Hayes & Jarvis
*Angela Armstrong, Thomas Cook Signature
*Maria Pompeo, Thomas Cook Signature
*Dawn Ramsey, North America Travel Service

Also participating:
Cathy Brennan and Hayley French from L.A. Inc's London Office,
Claudia Beauregard from our Mexico City office,
and Connie Young, who will join us in Los Angeles.

We cannot resist! Best photo-op from Hollywood&Highland's bridge.
We are serious! The Travel Academy is hard work!

But not to worry: we have fun, too! Here visiting the amazing new ANDAZ Hotel on Sunset Boulevard, formerly the Hyatt.



Besides our mornings at UCLA we explored the city at mad speed!
The economy must be on the upswing, at least at The Citadel Outlet Mall where we spent 2 hours power shopping. Yes, it is part of my job obligation! We were spoiled with delicious libations at many site visits. Our British friends have amazing stamina! And Maureen Todd is so persuasive that she even talked me into an evening out for a beer after a long day of work.

A funny thing happened at Universal! Christopher Johns must have a double in the world, or an entertainment career he keeps on the QT. While waiting for the tram ride, Chris was "discovered" by a whole bus of Asian tourists. They pointed and whispered and giggled and grabbed their video and photo gear and started snapping away. One older guy positioned himself just so to be in the picture with Chris. Later on the whole group followed him down the escalator to The Mummy. Hmmm.... anyone recognize him?



Greetings to you all back in the U.K.! Thank you for taking the time to visit. Send your customers and friends and come back soon!

You can find all Los Angeles Travel Experts on LA Inc.'s website.
www.discoverlosangeles.com
click PLANNING YOU TRIP, then Travel Resources and voila!