The 30 to 40 million dollar DTLA tourist industry in bouncing back with many booked conventions already in 2021
Downtown Los Angeles saw a mass exodus this past pandemic year. It looked like a ghost town in 2020 and early 2021. The urban core has always been gritty said one long time DTLA booster, but the sense of abandonment was even more obvious as people moved out to get more distance and breathing space. The appeal of living in a smaller space surrounded by urban energy, noise and vitality is drawing many back into the thick of it sooner than would have been thought given the all stop mentality of last years lock downs.
Now that Pandemic restrictions have been eased, are people returning to DTLA?
Many thought the worst, that it was gonna be a long road to recovery, but it’s been crazy busy in every bar and restaurant in downtown LA since mid-June, locals bars near Skid Row and Little Tokyo feel like new years eve every night. Speaking with people in the front lines of the hospitality industry. The sales in food and beverage are taking off like a rocket and demand does not appear to be slowing down.
Clubs and resteraunts with outdoor spaces are doing very well since it’s still not safe congregate indoors.
#Little tokyo #entarispowerful
In addition the tourism and convention industry is having a major bounce back too. With more planning and attention to safety protocols DTLA convention venues like Staples Center are set to crush it this year. The local economy gets a huge boost from out of town visitors in the range of 30 to 40 million dollars annually. We can see with conventions already booked this year the bounce back is going to be strong and immediate.
Little Tokyo Lofts are an important part of the local community in Little Tokyo
Buying into a community like Little Tokyo in DTLA, which has a strong neighborhood identity an essential feature for building healthy relationships. By allowing residents to spend time with their family, friends, and others in your community. This is valuable to a resident over a generic suburb situation because it can help improve one’s mental well-being. Strengthening relationships both at home and within your community ultimately shapes your life. Mental health and physical health are fundamentally linked, with positive mental well-being contributing to physical conditions. Three positive facts about strong communities
Neighbor Identity
Little Tokyo has a strong Japanese identity that is fun for everyone to participate in as part of the community events to connect their residents and keep old traditions alive while making new ones. It can also help attract new visitors by showing off what makes Little Tokyo so much fun which can simultaneously help build a strong sense of pride for the community. A sense of pride amongst the community may also encourage members to take better care of their neighborhoods.
Create New Business Opportunities
With community events – whether free, family-friendly, or ticketed events – you’ll need help setting up, running, and promoting them. Use this as an opportunity to showcase your community’s local businesses. Like the ones showcased below, community events help drive revenue to the local small businesses, attracting those in the community to support them. In addition, community events may also bring in business from neighboring towns, generating further revenue that supports your community.
It’s Fun!
At the end of the day, the point of hosting a community event is to create memorable moments for the community. These types of events will not only showcase what Little Tokyo has to offer, but connect members of the community forever from these shared experiences, no matter their background, gender, or age.
Little Tokyo City Tours Come join us for Little Tokyo City Tours, an interactive 2.5-hour walking / food-tasting tour through Little Tokyo!
Live events in the Little Tokyo Neighborhood show a resilient community coming back to life
About this Event
Come learn about the history of this thriving area in DTLA. The tour begins at the JEMS parking lot and will include stops at Rafu Shimpo newspaper, Artist District, Terasaki Budokan gym, Japanese American Community Center, Weller Court, Japanese Village Plaza, East West Players building, Jist Cafe, Fugetsudo Manju shop, Go for Broke National Educational Center, Japanese American National Museum and more! Tour guide earphones used on tour
WHERE: meet @ JEMS parking lot @ 948 E. 2nd Str., Los Angeles, Ca 90012 (map).
TIME: Start time @ 8:30 AM (departure @ 8:45 AM) > End @ 11:30 AM @ JANM museum (site)
SUGGESTED DONATION: $15 (covers cost of 4 tasting stops + free admission to JAMN museum at the end of the tour)
CONTACT: jessica@citybible.church
Drum lines are a fun part of live Nisei festivals this year the event is virtual
Join us for the 2021 Nisei Week Virtual Experience on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
For 2021 the virtual program will air on the Nisei Week Foundation’s YouTube channel in place of an in-person festival. A mix of live streaming and pre-recorded segments, we will feature highlights Nisei Week fans have come to love about the Nisei Week Japanese Festival over the years. Normally the Festival is a 9-day event and dates back to the 1930s as a means of welcoming people into the neighborhood and support the local businesses. This year’s theme is Ibasho, which is a Japanese word that means, “a place to belong.” The Foundation looks forward to celebrating community, culture, and the place so many see as home – Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo. The Nisei Week Experience will also showcase this year’s queen candidates and the announcement of a 2021 Nisei Week Queen & Court. Other program highlights will include spotlights on Little Tokyo community organizations and businesses, live performances, and elements of the popular Closing Ceremony, complete with Obon dancing. Check back for more details coming soon!
Another event later this year is hosted by Little Tokyo Community Council and Japanese American Cultural & Community Center
Long standing traditional community events don’t require too much set up to be successful
PICNIC ON THE PLAZA
Grab takeout from your favorite Little Tokyo restaurant and bring your friends and family to the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) Plaza for fun afternoon of kicking back, enjoying music, and watching fun food demonstrations led by local business owners! #littletokyolofts
FREE | ALL AGES WELCOME
Event details:
JACCC Plaza, 244 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
RSVP for a chance to win $15 gift certificates to Fugetsu-Do and Azay! Winner will be drawn and announced at 2 pm. Must be present to win!
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