So, How Many Tourists Flock to La La Land Each Year? A Hilarious Investigation (Because Let's Face It, Counting Tourists is Practically a Sport in LA)
Ah, Los Angeles. The land of dreams, movie stars, and enough sunshine to bleach your skepticism right out of your swim trunks. But with all that glitz and glamour comes a guaranteed side effect: tourists. Lots of them. But just how many are we talking about? Buckle up, because we're about to dive into the hilarious world of LA tourist statistics.
Tourist Tally: By the Numbers (and the Truckloads of Selfiesticks)
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The Golden Age (Pre-Pandemic Paradise): We're talking epic numbers here, folks. In 2019, LA shattered records with a whopping 50 million visitors. That's like the entire population of New Zealand deciding to spend their holidays dodging palm trees and dodging overpriced avocado toast.
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The Great Pause (The Pandemic Put a Pin in the Party): Let's just say 2020 wasn't exactly a banner year for tourism. In fact, the visitor count dipped to a chilly 27 million. Maybe everyone decided to vacation on their couch instead?
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The Tourist Tide Starts Rising Again (Because Beaches Don't Social Distance): Thankfully, things are bouncing back. In 2021, LA saw a resurgence with around 40 million visitors. Seems like people are eager to escape reality and soak up some Californian sun (and maybe catch a glimpse of a reality TV star).
So, what does this mean? Well, for one thing, it means that wherever you go in LA, there's a decent chance you'll be sharing the sidewalk (or the selfie opportunity) with someone visiting from out of town.
The Tourist Breakdown: Who Exactly Are These Visitors?
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The Domestic Deluge (Mostly Your Fellow Americans): Let's face it, most of LA's visitors come from within the good ol' US of A. We're talking about your average Joe (and Jane) from Ohio, here to experience the thrill of a freeway traffic jam and the questionable delights of a pink donut.
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The International Invasion (From Far and Wide They Come): But LA has a global appeal too. Don't be surprised to bump into tourists from China, Japan, or even Timbuktu (hey, everyone loves a good beach vacation, right?).
Fun Fact: In 2019, international visitors only made up about 22.6% of the total tourist population. So, while you might hear snippets of languages you don't recognize on the bus, you're more likely to be shoulder-to-shoulder with someone from Des Moines than Dubai.
Why So Many Tourists? (Besides the Obvious Sunshine Obsession)
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Hollywood Hangover (The Silver Screen Effect): For many, LA is synonymous with Hollywood. Who wouldn't want to walk the Walk of Fame and pretend to bump into their favorite celebrity (even if it's just a cardboard cutout of Ryan Reynolds)?
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Theme Park Paradise (Universal Studios and Beyond): LA is a theme park playground. From the thrills of Universal Studios to the magical world of Disneyland, there's something for every kid (or adult-sized kid) at heart.
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Beach Bliss (The California Dreamin' Factor): Let's not forget the beaches. Malibu, Venice Beach, Santa Monica – they all offer that postcard-perfect California coastline that beckons sunbathers and surfers alike.
So, there you have it. LA: a tourist magnet that pulls in millions every year. Whether you're one of them, or you're a local who just enjoys the people-watching opportunities, there's no denying the unique energy that tourists bring to the City of Angels. Just remember, next time you're stuck in gridlock traffic, it might not be rush hour – it could just be the annual tourist migration.
