Westfield to Launch New U.S. Tourism Marketing Program

Global shopping center owner and developer Westfield Group (ASX:WDC) is introducing a comprehensive tourism marketing initiative for select Westfield shopping centers in key U.S. travel destinations to enhance awareness, visitation and sales among international and domestic visitors.

Seven unique U.S. retail destinations, including Westfield's international airport shopping experience at Los Angeles International Airport, are part of the new Westfield Travel Collection. In addition to Los Angeles, the program initially involves leading shopping centers in San Francisco, San Diego and Tampa.

"Westfield's new initiative welcomes tourists to our iconic locations in major U.S. travel destinations through signature marketing and exceptional customer service programs," said Gary Williams, Sr. Executive Vice President, Westfield Property Group.

Among the many benefits to travelers at select locations will be a Passport to Savings program with special offers and services, and Customer Service Ambassadors who assist with foreign language translation, dinner reservations and more. Westfield is creating awareness of select retail destinations through pre-arrival and in-market advertising, cross-promotion in markets with multiple centers, and promotional partnerships with tour operators and destination marketing organizations.

Additional details of the multi-pronged marketing campaign will be unveiled at U.S. Travel's IPW trade show in April, the largest and most significant travel show in the U.S. More than 2,500 travel buyers from 70 countries are expected to attend the show at McCormick Place in Chicago. The Westfield Travel Collection is also an investing partner of Brand USA. The partnership supports Brand USA's marketing efforts to promote the U.S. as a world-class shopping destination.

The new program builds on the success of Westfield San Francisco Centre's dynamic four-year positioning in the global tourism arena. This San Francisco icon is part of the new Westfield Travel Collection. The center is the country's third largest urban shopping center, home to Bloomingdale's west coast flagship store, the second largest Nordstrom in the U.S., the city's largest day spa, plus theatres, eateries and a signature restaurant collection. The center's beau-arts façade, which survived the 1906 earthquake, as well as its dramatic 102-foot wide glass and steel Dome and Rotunda are signature architectural features that make the center itself an historic attraction.

Other centers in the Westfield Travel Collection:

• Westfield Century City, Los Angeles redefines urban sophistication, while adding glamour back into the shopping experience. A one-stop, day to night destination for the best in shopping and dining, the center features over 130 shops, 10 restaurants and an eclectic outdoor dining terrace with 14 express eateries. Just steps away from Beverly Hills, the center was once part of the backlot of FOX studios and played an integral role in the master plan development of Los Angeles.
• Westfield at Los Angeles International Airport delivers an unparalleled collection of luxury retail and sophisticated dining that raises the bar on the entire airport experience in North America. Cutting edge architecture showcases some of the world's best known designer brands with a distinctly Los Angeles flavor.
• Westfield Valley Fair, Santa Clara, California is at the heart of Silicon Valley's white-hot technology hub. Sharing this enviable locale with Apple, Google and Facebook, this forward-thinking, 227-store center is a business and leisure traveler's dream destination. The recent expansion of fashion boutiques and sophisticated dining options solidifies this center's position as one of the most popular shopping destinations in Northern California.
• Westfield Horton Plaza, San Diego, is an exciting and vibrant urban shopping destination with major department stores, 120 specialty stores, theatres, live comedy and off-broadway productions offering visitors a distinctly California experience. Ideally located within walking distance from San Diego's famed Gaslamp Quarter, Convention Center and Cruise Terminal, this center is a great addition to any traveler's San Diego itinerary.
• Westfield UTC, La Jolla, San Diego, offers the best in world class retail and black label services to create a resort inspired shopping and dining experience. The center includes more than 100 upscale shops, popular cafes and restaurants, a luxury theatre experience, and amenities that include an educational area for children, pet grass patches and the Greens with complimentary putters and golf balls. UTC is a truly unique outdoor experience minutes from San Diego's premier beaches and just 15 minutes from downtown.
• Westfield Countryside, Clearwater/Tampa, one of Florida's premier coastal destinations, blends the best of visitor favorites - shopping, dining and relaxing on the best beaches along the Gulf. The center features five destination restaurants, a new 12-screen movie theatre, indoor ice skating rink and a selection of retail brands that appeals to group and leisure travelers alike. Just minutes from Tampa International Airport, Countryside is less than 90 minutes from Walt Disney World, Epcot, Universal Studios and Seaworld.

The Westfield Travel Collection tourism program is being coordinated by Anderson Retail Tourism Marketing, who assisted with the creation and promotion of Westfield San Francisco Centre's program over the past four years. For travel trade information, contact Kathy Anderson at kathy@retailtourism.com. Press inquiries should be directed to Susan Wilson, susanwilson129@gmail.com.

The Westfield Group (ASX Code: WDC) is an internally managed, vertically integrated shopping center group undertaking ownership, development, design, construction, funds/asset management, property management, leasing and marketing activities and employing approximately 4,000 staff worldwide. The Group has interests in and operates one of the world's largest shopping center portfolios with investment interests in 91 shopping centers across Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom and New Zealand, encompassing over 20,500 retail outlets and total assets under management of A$65.8 billion. In the U.S., the Group has a portfolio of 39 shopping centers that are home to about 7,000 specialty stores and comprise approximately 47 million square feet of leasable space in California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Washington. Operating also in eight major U.S. airports, Westfield is raising the bar on the traveler experience with developments at JFK, LAX, Newark, Houston Intercontinental and Chicago O'Hare airports.