The Los Angeles Visitors & Convention Bureau has selected Echo Park as one of about two dozen communities that will be featured in a $2.5 million campaign to promote neighborhood tourism.
The program–which is called `LA Lifestyles: The Neighborhoods of Los Angeles? is aimed at the growing number of travelers who want to go beyond the traditional tourist destinations–such as amusement parks and the beach–and explore areas with a rich variety of history and culture. Echo Park is that kind of place, say people at the convention bureau.
As part of the program, Echo Park and the other neighborhoods will be promoted in local and national travel and entertainment publications as well as in a series of colorful street banners. In addition, the convention bureau will also publish and distribute an Echo Park guide with a description of the neighborhood and a suggested itinerary. How about a paddle boat ride across the lake, followed by a shopping trip on Antique Row and then drinks at Les Freres Taix?
The convention bureau will rely on local Neighborhood Tour Organizations to come up with the itinerary and identify events–such as the Echo Park Arts Festival and The Cuban Festival–that would be of interest to visitors. Also, local organizers would be called upon to put together a guided tour for groups that express interest in exploring local historic sights or artist studios.
If you have any suggestions for stops on guided or self-guided tours, please contact Jesus Sanchez at (213) 250-4155 with your suggestions. Also, volunteers who are knowledgeable about the neighborhood are needed to lead small group tours.
