From LAObserved

L.A. hotels set record: July occupancy averaged 83.9 percent, the highest monthly level in the last 25 years – and the seventh straight month of year-over-year increases. From the LAT:
Meanwhile, passenger traffic at Los Angeles International Airport was up 2% in July over the same month last year. And the Los Angeles Convention Center is scheduled to play host to a total of 24 citywide conventions this year, the most since 2001, according to the tourism board. Hotel managers and tourism officials attributed the improving visitor numbers to pent-up demand among travelers who stayed close to home in recent years.

Santa Monica officials enjoy taking credit for our flourishing tourism, trumpeting their own wizardry. But, apparently, it’s a regional phenomenon.