Los Angeles City and county officials working on the 2028 Summer Olympics discussed details on tourism, their hopes for the economic benefits of mega-events, and lessons learned at the First State Senate Committee on Thursday for its massive organisation efforts.
But what’s largely lacking in debate was how the massive crackdown on federal immigration in LA and the international attention it portrays would affect the event, and how it affects the perception of potential visitors.
During the three-hour hearing in Sacramento, Ryan Becker, senior vice president of visiting California Tourism Group, described the challenge of attracting visitors to the state for the Olympics, but the scenario could change in three years.
At the moment, he said it would be much more expensive for international travelers to California due to the strong US dollar, but he said there are concerns about safety and access to the US.
“Some headlines on border detention and aggressive enforcement actions certainly raise concerns and exacerbate some of the issues that have been long-standing at the federal level,” he said.
Overall, international travel is expected to fall by more than 9% this year in California, with the first overall tourist decline since 2020, Becker said.
The committee focuses on major sporting events and is chaired by Sen. Ben Allen (D. Santa Monica).
The panelists spoke about potential financial boosts from visitors who dined at restaurants during and after 2028 games and stayed at the hotel.
Organizers of LA28, a private company that oversees the game, are responsible for raising and spending the $7 billion needed to host a large event. While LA28 pays for the Olympics, LA taxpayers face economic risks.
If LA28 sees an overrun of costs or a lack of revenue, the city will be responsible for the first $270 million, the state will pay the next $270 million, and the city will hook more.
Becker provided the senators with an update on the number of tourism since the 2024 Parisilympics. 85% of attendees were from France and 15% from other countries, he said.
He also said that major attractions, including the Louvre, saw a big dip to visitors during the Olympics, suggesting that visitors were not interested in the typical tourist attractions.
In addition to economic boosts, the 2028 Olympics will provide a “refreshed global image of California as a global global destination,” he said.
LA28 leaders were largely silent about President Trump’s recent immigration sweep last month. This contrasts with the pouring of anger from local and state politicians. On Thursday, the group declined to comment to the Times on the crackdown.
Reynold Hoover, CEO of the LA28 Olympics and Paralympic Games, appeared on the panel and explained how the Olympic Torch would move around 50 states about 100 days before the game.
Another panelist, Paul Clecorian, is leading the city’s plans for the Olympics, and city officials said they would like to add bathrooms, shaded structures and water facilities around some areas where the Olympic venue is located.
He said that millions of people gather in the city and there needs to be access to the streets.
However, Clecolian acknowledged the city’s financial constraints as it seeks to improve its infrastructure over the next few years.
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