L.A. Tourism hits home run with Canadian travel pros at Jays vs. Dodgers game

It was a night for Canadian travel pros and media to step up to the plate and enjoy some big-league hospitality, as the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, Tuesday night (April 7), treated partners in Toronto to a Blue Jays vs. L.A. Dodgers matchup at the Rogers Centre.

The Dodgers brought their A-game, topping Toronto 4-1 to hand the Blue Jays their sixth consecutive loss, but the real win of the night was the glimpse into L.A.’s growing sports and travel scene.

Ahead of the game, PAX caught up with Tamy Martelli, regional director, North America, at The Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, at a pre-game cocktail at Lulu Bar downtown, just a short walk from the stadium.

Martelli served up a mix of insider info and inspiration, showing why Los Angeles, even amid a drop in U.S. sentiment, is pitching itself as a must-visit destination for Canadians.

Canada: a key market

“What brings you to Toronto?” we asked.

“Canada is a key market for Los Angeles. It's our number two on the international spectrum,” Martelli said. “For us, it's all about relationships and educating people about all the exciting things we have in the pipeline. We’re here to say, ‘We're here when you’re ready and when your clients are ready.’”

Despite a downturn in Canadians travelling to the U.S., L.A. remains a draw, thanks in large part to its passion-based experiences—from sports and concerts to arts, culture, and culinary adventures.

When asked about what’s new in L.A., Martelli highlighted the city’s jam-packed calendar:

“There’s lots of exciting things in store this year and years to come,” she said. “In addition to the FIFA World Cup, we also have the U.S. Women's Open at the Riviera Pacific Palisades, a week before. We also have the NBA All-Stars game this year too at The Intuit Dome, a new arena for the LA Clippers.”

Sports continue to be a major selling point.

According to a recent Expedia report, 57 per cent of travellers say they are likely to attend a local sports event during a trip, with that number jumping to 68 per cent among Gen Z and Millennials.

With 11 professional sports teams—including the Dodgers, Lakers, Rams, Chargers, Galaxy, and LA Knight Riders—Los Angeles is earning a reputation as the new Sports Capital of the World, boasting more than 30 championships across leagues.

The city’s sports infrastructure also continues to level up. Martelli noted those upcoming mega-events: the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will see eight matches played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood from June 12 to July 19, 2026, and the 2027 Super Bowl, among others.

Getting Around: the Skylink advantage

Local transportation is also getting an upgrade, like L.A’s new people mover, called the “Skylink.”

“It’s a monorail that will eventually connect all the terminals and connect to Metro rail lines,” Martelli said.

When asked how it will change local transportation, she explained, “I think when you arrive in a destination, you want to get on your way. This will make it more seamless for visitors and residents.”

From downtown to Santa Monica, Hollywood, and beyond, the Skylink is expected to make LA’s famously sprawling layout—sometimes called “88 cities in one city”—more navigable.

Culture, coasters & curiosity

Sports aren’t the only pitch L.A. is throwing. There’s a Star Wars angle, too.

L.A. will soon see the opening of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, an upcoming $1 billion-dollar museum founded by filmmaker George Lucas and his wife, businesswoman Mellody Hobson.

It will be next to the LA Memorial Coliseum, where Olympics 2028 will be held.

The museum will open this September. “The architecture is incredible. It looks like a space shuttle,” Martelli said.

Meanwhile, thrill-seekers can gear up for Universal Studios Hollywood’s first high-speed outdoor roller coaster, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, launching Summer 2026.

It will feature 360-degree rotating ride vehicles at speeds of 72 mph.

“We'd love for Canadians to come visit and see us,” Martelli stressed. 

She said passion-driven travel will play an important role in Canada-U.S. tourism recovery. “It goes back to those passions: sports and culture. Even concerts. People will travel to see their favourite artists or sports team,” she said.

And there’s always something new to unpack in L.A.

“Whether you're a sports fan, or into arts or culture, or a foodie, you can come back and experience the city in different ways and stay in a different neighbourhood,” Martelli said.

“Los Angeles is here. It's ready. It's welcoming. We've always been friends of Canadians." 

Travel advisors can also look forward to a brand-new L.A. Global Sales guide, which will be out in a month or so.

“It will be L.A. 101, but it also share itinerary ideas and break down the hotels,” Martelli said.

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