NEW YORK CITY LAUNCHES NEW TOURISM AND PROMOTIONAL OFFICE IN MEXICO AND INCREASES ITS INVESTMENT IN FUTURE OF KEY NORTH AMERICAN

10/16/12


NEW YORK CITY LAUNCHES NEW TOURISM AND PROMOTIONAL OFFICE
IN MEXICO AND INCREASES ITS INVESTMENT IN FUTURE
OF KEY NORTH AMERICAN MARKET       



Travel to NYC from Mexico Has Grown Almost 100 Percent Since 2005 and Will Continue to Expand, Welcoming Almost 400,000 Visitors in 2012



Future Marketing Investment in Mexico Will Generate Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Economic Impact for New York City—



Mexico City (October 16, 2012) –  George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company, New York City’s marketing, tourism and partnership organization, today launched a new tourism and promotional office in Mexico, the City’s 10th largest international market. As travel from Mexico to New York City has increased almost 100 percent over the last seven years, NYC & Company is capitalizing on that growth and encouraging more travelers—especially the burgeoning middle class—to visit the City.  Fertitta made the announcement during a press conference held today in the heart of Mexico City’s financial and cultural district before an audience of more than fifty media. He said NYC & Company would make a future investment of millions of dollars in assets in the lucrative Mexican travel market with an expected return of hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact for New York City.



“New York City and Mexico City are both world-class cities that share so much in common—there could not be a better time for us to expand our investment in this key market, and invite more Mexican travelers to discover the unique energy, diversity and excitement of our City,” said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.



Travel from Mexico to New York City has grown from 192,000 visitors in 2005 to 376,000 visitors in 2011. In 2012, the City is expected to welcome close to 400,000 visitors.



“Today, we’re pleased to announce that we are investing millions of dollars in marketing and advertising assets to further develop travel from Mexico to New York City in the months and years ahead—the result will be increased visitation from Mexico, more jobs for our local tourism industry and hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact,” said NYC & Company’s CEO George Fertitta. 



Earlier this week, Fertitta and the NYC & Company Mexico team met with the Mayor-elect of Mexico City, Dr. Miguel Angel Mancera, to discuss future and deeper cooperation between New York City and Mexico City.



In the meeting held between Dr. Miguel Angel Mancera Espinosa, Mayor-elect of Mexico City, and George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company, Dr. Mancera said: “This will be a great gateway to share experiences, best practices and collaboration ties between these two great cities, that not only share a common vision, but friendship ties between their inhabitants. The collaboration that starts today will continue growing to establish true collaboration, not only in the tourism sector, but in a life philosophy and city vision between these two great cities.”



As part of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s five-borough economic development plan, NYC & Company is encouraging travel to all five boroughs: Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. With more affordable hotel product in the boroughs beyond Manhattan as well as a diversity of attractions and cultural opportunities throughout all the City’s neighborhoods, there are plenty of reasons for Mexican travelers to visit the City. 



Tourism to New York City reached record levels in 2011, when Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced that the City had achieved its goal of attracting 50 million annual visitors one year ahead of schedule. With 50.9 million visitors, $34.5 billion in direct spending and approximately $52 billion in total economic impact generated in 2011, the tourism industry is New York City’s fifth largest, accounting for 352,000 leisure and hospitality jobs. In April, 2012, NYC & Company established a new tourism goal:  $70 billion in economic impact and 55 million annual visitors by the year 2015. 



NYC & Company, recognized as one of the world’s leading municipal marketing and tourism organizations, has a network of 18 international offices serving 25 global markets. While NYC & Company previously had representation in Mexico, it was not at the scale of its current operations. 



NYC & Company’s new representative office in Mexico will be managed by Connect Worldwide Mexico, under the direction of Mauricio Gonzales Licega.  The office will provide tourism development, marketing and communications support, and will work closely with the travel trade and media throughout all of Mexico to promote the City’s diverse offerings (the office is not open to consumers). Fred Dixon, NYC & Company’s senior vice president, tourism and convention development, and Kimberly Spell, NYC & Company’s chief communications officer, will provide strategic direction for the office from New York City.



Tourism Development Plans



NYC & Company’s Mexico office will leverage relationships with key partners in the travel industry including airlines, wholesalers, retail travel agencies and the travel trade media to promote all five boroughs of the City. An integrated public relations, sales and marketing plan will be developed for key markets in Mexico to support this effort. NYC & Company will use the NYC Travel Training Academy as a tool to educate the travel trade on the most updated information on hotel development, activities and attractions to be enjoyed in all five boroughs. More information on the program can be found at nycgo.com/training.



To support all travel professionals, NYC & Company provides access to a media gallery, information and links to different members as well as invitations to sales missions to enrich their product offerings to the Mexican market.  The new office will also develop communications and marketing projects to position the destination and brand to specific market segments.



NYC & Company Consumer Marketing Programs



NYC & Company offers several incentives to visit the City during slower periods in January and February, and during most U.S. holidays. A trip planning tool developed earlier this year by NYC & Company called “Save the Date” will assist consumers with planning their next visit (nycgo.com/savethedate).



In early 2013, travelers can look forward to programs such as NYC Restaurant Week, Broadway Week and Off Broadway Week. More information on all of NYC & Company programs will be available at nycgo.com.  A 2012 and 2013 calendar detailing value dates for travel is also available to the travel trade at nycgo.com/traveltrade.



To become a fan of NYC & Company’s Mexico Facebook timeline, go to facebook.com/nycgo.mx.



About NYC & Company:
NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For the official source on all there is to see and do in New York City, go to nycgo.com.



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Contact: NYC & Company/Kimberly Spell 212-484-1270
                NYC & Company/Chris Heywood 212-484-1270