Travel expert reinforces Los Angeles is open

In response to the January Los Angeles Wildfires, Visit California launched a national satellite media tour featuring travel expert and Southern California local, Gabe Saglie. The tour, filmed live at Santa Monica’s newest luxury hotel, The Regent, aired across 12 key domestic markets, including New York City, Chicago, Dallas and Las Vegas, as well as major California cities such as Sacramento and San Francisco.

The on-air segments reached nearly 500,000 viewers, with digital impressions soaring to 180 million — a testament to the widespread interest in the resilience and vibrancy of Los Angeles.

During the interviews, Saglie encouraged travelers to plan trips to Los Angeles, emphasizing the vital role tourism plays in supporting local businesses and the broader economy.

“Investment allows travelers to become part of a rebound that is just getting started,” Saglie said.

Accompanying the interviews were stunning post-fire visuals of iconic landmarks, including the Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, Beverly Hills, Marina del Rey and the Griffith Observatory — offering clear proof that the city remains open and ready for visitors.

The media tour is a key component of Visit California’s crisis recovery efforts, directly countering early misleading reports that inaccurately suggested widespread fire damage across Los Angeles County. In reality, less than 2% of the area was affected. By setting the record straight, these interviews reinforce that Los Angeles remains a world-class destination, ready to welcome travelers from across the nation and around the globe.