Local tourism and hospitality promoter Visit Laguna Beach named Ashley Johnson director of brand marketing and communications.
This role is the top staff position for the group, which serves as the official Visitors Bureau for the city. Johnson oversees all of Visit Laguna Beach’s operations and marketing.
Visit Laguna Beach is funded by a Business Improvement District. The 2% self-assessment by hotels is split between the tourism group and local arts programs.
It gets about $800,000 from their share of the self-assessment, which funds 85% of their budget, the group said.
Visit Laguna Beach develops relationships with local businesses, civic groups and the city to market the city as a destination for travel and tourism.
Current initiatives include a new website in July, an interactive visitors’ kiosk this summer and a weekend trolley planned for 2015.
Johnson replaced Judith Bijlani, who resigned as executive director in January.
