Officials from Los Angeles city and county involved in the 2028 Summer Olympics convened to discuss tourism strategies, anticipated economic advantages of the event, and insights gleaned from the recent Paris Games during a state Senate committee hearing on Thursday.
However, the impact of the extensive federal immigration enforcement in L.A. and the international scrutiny it has attracted was notably missing from the discussion — particularly regarding its influence on visitor perceptions.
During the three-hour session in Sacramento, Ryan Becker, a senior vice president with the tourism organization Visit California, outlined the challenges of drawing tourists to the state for the Olympics, although conditions may shift in three years.
Currently, he pointed out that a robust U.S. dollar makes it significantly pricier for international travelers to visit California, coupled with safety concerns and restricted access to the United States.
“Recent news on border detainment and strict enforcement actions are certainly increasing concerns and aggravating longstanding federal issues,” he noted, alluding to the lengthy visa wait times for prospective U.S. visitors.
In general, international tourism is anticipated to decrease by more than 9% in California this year, marking the first overall decline in tourism since 2020, Becker remarked.
The committee, concentrating on major sporting events, is led by Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica).
Panelists discussed the possible economic uplift from visitors dining and lodging during and following the 2028 Games.
LA28, the private organization managing the Games, is tasked with generating and utilizing the $7 billion required to host the significant event. Although LA28 covers the costs of the Olympics, Los Angeles taxpayers bear potential financial risks.
Should LA28 encounter budget overruns or revenue deficits, the city will be accountable for the initial $270 million, with the state covering the next $270 million and the city responsible for any excess.
Becker provided senators an update on tourism figures from the 2024 Paris Olympics, indicating that 85% of attendees were from France and 15% were international visitors.
He also noted that major tourist attractions, including the Louvre Museum, experienced significant declines in visitors during the Olympics, implying that tourists showed less interest in conventional sightseeing destinations.
Apart from the economic gain, the 2028 Olympics will present a “refreshed global image of California as the nation’s most welcoming destination,” he stated.
LA28 leaders have largely refrained from commenting on President Trump’s recent immigration enforcement actions over the past month, contrasting with the vocal discontent from local and state politicians. On Thursday, the group chose not to respond to The Times regarding the crackdown.
Reynold Hoover, CEO of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, participated in the panel, explaining how the Olympic torch will journey through all 50 states for roughly 100 days prior to the Games.
Another panelist, Paul Krekorian, who oversees the city’s Olympic planning, mentioned that city officials aim to install additional restrooms, shade structures, and water amenities in several neighborhoods with Olympic venues.
Streets must be accessible as millions of attendees gather in the city, he indicated.
However, Krekorian admitted to the city’s financial constraints while working to enhance its infrastructure in the approaching years.
