L.A. COUNTY'S ECONOMIC FUTURE REVOLVES AROUND UNIVERSAL STUDIOS.

Byline: Leron Gubler

LOOK out, Orange County, you haven't seen anything yet. With the resurgence of Hollywood and the draw of nearby attractions such as Universal Studios, tourism in Los Angeles County - particularly in the greater Hollywood area - is alive and thriving.

In 1995, more than 9 million of the 22 million visitors to Los Angeles County went to Hollywood. And, nearly 1.3 million people stayed overnight in Hollywood-area hotels - which means they dined and shopped in local restaurants and stores.

The importance of tourism to the continuing restoration of Hollywood cannot be overstated. Today's initiatives, being undertaken by the public and private sector to bring investment back to Hollywood, rely on ``growing'' the tourism base. Cast your eyes on the new Hollywood Entertainment Museum, see the renovation of the El Capitan building, and watch the restoration of the Egyptian Theatre. Look to the plans for a new $145 million entertainment and retail center just east of historic Mann's Chinese Theatre. And more is on the way.

Moreover, see what the new Hollywood Entertainment District is accomplishing as $3 million is invested in an eight-block area along the boulevard. In the first three months of its new security program, crime has been cut in half within the district. The bottom line? Tourism is thriving here, and Hollywood will play an increasingly significant role in the economic future of Los Angeles County.

A study by Haug International has revealed that the top two attractions in L.A. County are Universal Studios (drawing 31 percent of all visitors) and the Hollywood Walk of Fame (attracting 24 percent). What we have learned is that these two major attractions work in tandem as a magnet to draw tourists to this area - which is why the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is so interested in the future of Universal Studios.

We recognize that there is a synergy between our community and Universal Studios. When the subway opens in three years, these two major tourist destinations will only be one stop apart. Will the tourists from around the world who are used to mass transit use our subway system? You bet.

Today, approximately 60 percent of visitors to Universal Studios Hollywood come up from Orange and San Diego counties only for the day - returning to spend their hotel, dining and shopping dollars in those areas to our south.

Universal's future development plan calls for two 600-room hotels, which we believe will attract many of these one-day visitors. If they extend their stay in our area, many of them also will visit Hollywood and San Fernando Valley attractions, spending their dollars in our communities.

To the degree that Universal succeeds, we will all benefit - whether we live or work in Hollywood or the Valley. And so it is important that we allow Universal Studios the ability to make the improvements necessary to remain competitive. Of course, any expansion must be sensitive to the neighborhood, and Universal Studios has responded to concerns of the community by reducing the scope of the plan for the future.

Friendly rivalry for the tourism dollar has been a productive part of the Southland scene. A Magic Kingdom that grows and prospers helps the region, and it helps Hollywood. So, too, does Universal Studios, which is why we strongly support their expansion plans.

As Universal Studios provides new entertainment, local residents and visitors will come. Hollywood will shine. And, the tourism and entertainment industries that stoke our economy today will continue driving the engine that benefits all of us in the years to come - more jobs, more income for local governments and a much stronger community.