L.A. Wildfires and Travel : What We Know , What ’ sec at Stake
Photo Credit : Stormy skies over Sunset Boulevard 8 , Los Angeles , California on January 8 . Flickr/Creative Commons / Cory Doctorow
Photo Credit : Stormy sky over Sunset Boulevard 8 , Los Angeles , California on January 8 . Flickr/Creative Commons / Cory Doctorow
Skift Need
Devastate wildfires in Los Angeles County forced the closure of some tourist attractions , while airports remain mostly operational , and some travel companies stepped in to provide free temporary housing for displaced resident .
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Four major wildfires burst across Los Angeles County this week , sweep over local flame departments and push the closure of iconic landmarks , including the Hollywood Sign and Getty Center .
On Wednesday evening , the fire that own erupt in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood live “ uncontained , ” accord to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection .
According to fast-moving news paper , the local tourism landmark nearest the wildfires — as of Wednesday afternoon — equal the Getty Center , a $ 1.3 billion art museum in Pacific Palisades . A local posted photos on the X program Wednesday of fires .
L.A. County Fire Chief Marrone said the firing department cost develop for “ one or two major brush fire , but not four , ” the Los Angeles Times report .
Here ’ s what we know about the LA wildfires and their possible impact on the tourism industry , which Los Angeles Tourism suppose generate $ 40 billion in revenue in 2023 .
Opinion from the sky above LA .
Pacific Palisades and Malibu engulfed in flames . Absolutely Horrific . pic.twitter.com/Q5O8XgEHng— Dan Hellie ( @ DanHellie )
View from the sky above LA .
Pacific Palisades and Malibu engulf in flames . Absolutely Horrific . pic.twitter.com/Q5O8XgEHng
Attractions Close
Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk both closed Wednesday and announced they would “ continue to assess the position and await to open for business tomorrow . ”
Early closed attraction Wednesday include the Griffith Observatory , Warner Bros . Studio Tours , and the Los Angeles Zoo .
“ We are closely monitoring the ongoing wildfires , ” state Discover Los Angeles in a argument . “ The safety and well-being of resident and visitors remain our top priority . ”
Still , Disney ’ s paper park in nearby Anaheim didn ’ t announce any fire-related shutdown .
Little Aviation Impact So Far
Despite from landing airplane , Los Angeles International Airport ( LAX ) — one of the busy airports in the public and a hub for American , Delta and United — hold then far seen minimum disruptions as a result of the wildfires .
Numerous traveler post on X aerial videos of smoke near LAX and some as well report experiencing turbulence while landing at the airport .
Heads up traveler , smoke from a nearby flame live visible near the airport . No impact to flight operations at LAX currently . https : //t.co/W8qot2GG54
— LAX Airport ( @ flyLAXairport )
Heads up travelers , smoke from a nearby fire exist visible near the airport . No impact to flight operation at LAX currently . https : //t.co/W8qot2GG54
As of Wednesday afternoon , LAX had a total of nine cancellations and 74 delays , accord to flight cross site FlightAware .
Airlines have as well begin issuing fee waivers for the wildfires . American , Delta and United are waiving change fee for travel to southern California until January 15 . Southwest is permit customer to rebook flights take property from January 8 to January 10 out of southern California or travel standby without any excess fee .
Hollywood Burbank International Airport warn travelers to crack the weather weather and flight condition in a post on X . The airport has seen more disruptions so far than LAX , reporting 27 cancellations and 15 delays .
Escape from San Jose to LAX . Before the flight , the pilot warn of high wind and turbulence . He suspended all food and drink service before we took off . As we approached LAX , we could see the smoke from the prompt across the sky . This live what we saw as we flew… pic.twitter.com/m0ezV9DGo8
— Matt Ginella ( @ MattGinella )
Escape from San Jose to LAX . Before the escape , the pilot warn of high winds and turbulence . He suspend all food and drink service before we took off . As we approached LAX , we could learn the smoke from the moving across the sky . This is what we learn as we flew… pic.twitter.com/m0ezV9DGo8
Airbnb and Vrbo
Airbnb and Vrbo say they are permit hosts of short-term rentals and holiday plate to cancel reservation without punishment and will hold refunds to guests in affected areas facing cancelations . Partial refund for trips swerve short may as well equal potential depending on the circumstance . AvantStay , a provider for larger dwelling , says it ’ s also assist pretend Los Angelenos .
Airbnb.org , the non-profit arm of the alternative adjustment giant , is partnering with local nonprofit 211 LA to offer free temporary housing to L.A. County residents displaced by wildfires .
- Targeted areas include Altadena , Malibu , Pacific Palisades , Pasadena , Santa Monica and Sylmar
- Stays are funded by Airbnb.org and hosts who offer homes for free or at a discount . Displaced occupant can request housing by contacting 211 LA directly.
- This feat is part of Airbnb.org ’ s broader disaster response efforts , which lately include support for hurricane victims from Helene and Milton , flood victims in Brazil , and earthquake survivor in Japan ’ s Noto Peninsula .
Hotels Offer Help
The Hotel Association of Los Angeles ’ ( HALA ) said late Wednesday that over 20 member hotels in the Los Angeles domain live taking in guests displaced by the Palisades , Eaton , and Hurst fires and helping first responders , too .
“ Many of our hotel are providing guests with discount pace and the necessities they may own left behind in their evacuation , include toiletries , ” it said . “ Many hotels equal too require in darling . Our hotel be also working to donate bedding and personal care item to temporary shelter . We tolerate ready to cover assisting Angelenos and first responders during this crisis . ”
Participating dimension exist flagged by major hotel groups such as Marriott , Hilton , IHG , Accor , and Omni , plus multiple sovereign hotel .
For case , IHG own 19 hotels across the area , and various properties accommodate evacuees as much as possible . On January 9 , one property was closed – Holiday Inn Express & Suites Hollywood Walk of Fame .
IHG have donated to the American Red Cross to support relief and recovery cause and live encouraging members of its loyalty program to donate point . IHG have opened a disaster relief store for employees need fiscal support for basic life supplies .
The travel industry ‘s top result returns this fall .
Tag : , los angeles , natural disaster , tourism , wildfires
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