Hollywood Boulevard makes a strong tourism comeback

Tourism on Hollywood Boulevard has increased by as much as 153% between April and June this year, after suffering a record drop last year. — ROBYN BECK/AFP

When Dallas, Texas resident Lois Green offered to take her daughter Ava anywhere for her 16th birthday, the teen chose a trip to Hollywood so she could visit the Walk of Fame, see the Hollywood sign, take in a celebrity home tour and, of course, check out Disneyland.

This was no budget vacation. They booked a pricey VIP tour of the Anaheim theme park – starting at about US$3,000 (RM12,577) a day – and stayed at the swanky Dream Hotel in Hollywood, where nightly rates are as high as US$439 (RM1,840).