A record-breaking 44.2 million people visited Los Angeles in 2014 and contributed nearly $30 billion to the city’s economy, according to last week’s announcement by the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. The number of travelers to the city was 4.8 percent higher than in 2013, with a record 6.5 million of visitors coming from outside the United States – a 5.6 percent increase over the previous year.

The $19.6 billion spent by tourists last year represented a nearly 7 percent increase over 2013, with a total economic impact of about $30 billion. The Board estimates that the Los Angeles tourism industry in 2014 led to the creation of 25,300 jobs, making it the county’s top job-growth sector.

“This remarkable growth for the local tourism industry elevates L.A.’s status as a leading global tourist destination to new heights,” said Ernest Wooden Jr., president and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board.

The city also saw a record number of international travelers in 2014. Roughly 6.5 million international tourists – who tend to stay longer and spend more per person – visited Los Angeles last year and accounted for nearly 33 percent of all visitors spending, according to the board.

China is a particularly important international travel market for Los Angeles. In 2014, Los Angeles welcomed nearly 700,000 Chinese visitors, a 20.4 percent increase over the previous year.

“Angelenos should be proud our city continues to be a desired destination for millions of visitors from around the globe,” remarked Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

California tourism also set records in tourism last year: a staggering 251 million people visited the Golden State in 2014 and spent roughly $117.5 billion in the process, according to statewide tourism agency Visit California. Traveler spending supported roughly 1 million jobs and generated more than $9 billion in state and local tax revenue last year, according to Visit California.

“The strong tourism economy in Los Angeles contributes to the benefit of all Californians,” said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California.

Read the full report from the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board.

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Photo credit: Flickr user David Fulmer