Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board has shared new visitation forecasts and tourism data with local hospitality partners and business leaders at the organisation’s fourth annual Market Outlook Forum.

Among the highlights, visitation to Los Angeles is expected to set a new record in 2016 with more than 46.5 million total visitors, an increase of 2.4 per cent from the previous record-setting year.

Domestic overnight visitation to Los Angeles is expected to grow 2.1 per cent to almost 24 million this year while international visitation is estimated to grow 3.9 per cent to more than seven million.

Total visitor spend in 2016 is projected to eclipse $21.5 billion, an increase of 4.4 per cent from last year.

“With global interest and desire for the Los Angeles experience propelling the City of Angels towards another banner year in 2016, we have our goal of 50 million visitors by 2020 locked in our sights,” said Ernest Wooden, president of LA Tourism.

“From exploring our hidden gem neighbourhoods like the Arts District to becoming fully immersed in our thriving art and culinary scenes, there’s never been a better time to get lost in LA.”

Hotel occupancy for the first half of 2016 reached 81.9 per cent and is projected to total 81.1 per cent for the entire year.

RevPAR for 2016’s first half totalled $170.51, an increase of 10.4 per cent from last year’s first half of $154.50.

RevPAR for 2016 is forecasted to reach $137.87, an increase of 9.4 per cent over last year.