Los Angeles is drawing more tourists, at least according to one survey.

The area has become the 10th most popular travel destination in the United States – compared with 17th in 2009.

Travel Leaders, a national network of 1,500 travel agencies, queried its members about where people are booking flights and hotel reservations in 2010. The results include business and pleasure trips.

Steve Loucks, vice president at Travel Leaders, linked L.A.’s rise to travelers “trading up” from midlevel chain hotels to luxury accommodations to take advantage of lower room rates.

“The L.A. area has incredible luxury hotels with lots of star quality,” Loucks said. “There’s a glamour about staying in L.A., and the current pricing makes it a lot more attractive.”

Orlando, Fla.; Las Vegas; and Alaskan cruises top the travel list.

Carol Martinez, associate vice president at L.A. Inc., the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, attributed the uptick to new attractions, including L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles, and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and W Hotel in Hollywood.

“People used to say, ‘I went to L.A. 10 years ago, I don’t need to go again,’” Martinez said. “Now they come back every five years because there’s new stuff to see.”

Martinez also cited the economy as a factor. Even on vacation people want inexpensive entertainment, and “in Los Angeles, you can go to a television taping and see a star in action for free.”