NEW YORK CITY TOURISM OFFICIALS ATTEND THE NATIONS PREMIER INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL MARKETPLACE TO PROMOTE NEW YORK CITY

6/10/13


NEW YORK CITY TOURISM OFFICIALS ATTEND THE NATION’S PREMIER INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL MARKETPLACE TO PROMOTE NEW YORK CITY



—NYC & Company Delegation Joins More Than 1,200 Travel Buyers and 500 Journalists at IPW to Promote United States’ Number One Big City Destination—



—NYC & Company Spotlights New Marketing and Communications Programs and Five-Borough Destination Updates—



Las Vegas, NV (June 10, 2013) — NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, is promoting travel to New York City this week at International Pow Wow (IPW) to an influential audience of more than 1,200 international and domestic buyers from more than 70 countries and 500 travel journalists from around the world. Ten New York City–based members are accompanying NYC & Company this week at the five-day travel trade show, considered the largest generator of travel to the US. At IPW, NYC & Company will amplify new marketing and communications programs, highlight new citywide destination and hotel updates and promote travel to the City’s five boroughs. In addition, NYC & Company will join the Broadway Collection to host Tuesday’s IPW luncheon, featuring performances by Broadway and Off-Broadway shows and celebrity emcee Cyndi Lauper.



“New York City is one of the world’s most exciting travel destinations, welcoming record numbers of domestic and international visitors year after year,” said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta. “This week, we look forward to showcasing the energy and vibrancy of the City to our various travel audiences while spotlighting the diverse neighborhoods throughout all five boroughs.”



During IPW, NYC & Company will share plans to continue Neighborhood x Neighborhood, a global yearlong communications program (information at nycgo.com/neighborhoods) designed to support local businesses and encourage tourism in neighborhoods outside traditional tourist locations across the five boroughs. Each month, NYC & Company promotes a new neighborhood—since the program’s launch in March, it has featured Williamsburg, Fort Greene and Bushwick; the South Bronx; Lower Manhattan; and most recently, Coney Island. NYC & Company’s tourism development team is also rolling out a new Travel Trade Tool Kit to make it easier for tour operators and travel agents to sell and package Lower Manhattan—this is in addition to other tool kits previously launched that highlight travel to Downtown Brooklyn and its surrounding neighborhoods as well as Long Island City in Queens. More information at nycgo.com/traveltrade.



In addition, the City strives to further increase family visitation to the five boroughs. NYC & Company recently announced a yearlong partnership with Classic Media to have Where’s Waldo? serve as New York City’s fifth official Family Ambassador, guiding visitors and locals to family-friendly things to do and see across the five boroughs. Since NYC & Company announced the Family Ambassador campaign in 2009, family visitation to New York City has grown by 15 percent and currently comprises 29 percent of total visitation to New York City. In 2012, New York City welcomed an estimated 15.2 million family visitors, a 2.7 percent projected increase over 2011, contributing approximately $15 billion in direct spending to New York City’s economy.



New York City continues to evolve, always offering a wide variety of things to see, do and experience throughout the five boroughs. During IPW, NYC & Company will spotlight upcoming destination developments, including the Statue of Liberty reopening on July 4; the recent reopening of New York City’s 14 miles of beaches; and Super Bowl XLVIII, which will take place February 2, 2014. In addition, NYC & Company will promote new transportation offerings including expanded air lift from key international markets as well as local transportation offerings such as enhanced ferry service to the Rockaways in Queens and Red Hook in Brooklyn.



As it has done since the organization was formed in 2006, NYC & Company will continue its five-borough strategy. Some of the City’s attractions that are being discussed this week include New York City’s “real Little Italy” on Arthur Avenue and Wave Hill House in the Bronx; Steeplechase Plaza at Coney Island and Brooklyn Botanic Garden in Brooklyn; SmorgasBar and the Time Warner Center in Manhattan; the Museum of the Moving Image and multi-ethnic dining in Queens; and the New York Wheel and Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden in Staten Island.



Member businesses accompanying NYC & Company at IPW this week include Alliance for Downtown New York, Inc.; BR Guest Hospitality; Group Sales Box Office/Broadway.com; Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum; The London NYC; The New York Pass; New York Yankees; The Shops at Columbus Circle; Top of the Rock Observation Deck; and TravelAdvocates.



Last year, New York City welcomed a record 52 million visitors (41 million domestic, 11 million international), generating direct spending of $36.9 billion and $55.3 billion in economic impact. Tourism is the City’s fifth largest industry, employing 363,100 people across all five boroughs. Since 2006, the City’s market share of overseas travel has expanded from 28 to 33 percent, with each increase in share point representing $750 million in direct spending. The City’s new tourism goal, established during IPW last year, is $70 billion in economic impact and 55 million annual visitors by 2015. In 2013, NYC & Company is forecasting 52.9 million visitors to the City.



NYC & Company will be at booth 1222 during IPW. For NYC & Company updates during the show, please refer to the hashtag #ipwNYC.



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 more information, visit nycgo.com.



                                                        -30-



Contact: NYC & Company/Kimberly Spell 212-484-1270
               NYC & Company/Christopher Heywood 212-484-1270
               NYC & Company/Emily Mayrath 212-484-1270