NYC & COMPANY PARTICIPATES IN ASIAS LARGEST TRAVEL TRADE SHOW, KICKS OFF CHINA SALES MISSION

NYC & COMPANY PARTICIPATES IN ASIA’S LARGEST TRAVEL TRADE SHOW, KICKS OFF CHINA SALES MISSION

New York City (November 11, 2014) — NYC & Company, New York City’s City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, is embarking on a four-city sales mission in China and participating in China International Travel Mart from November 10-18. The mission includes stops in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Nanjing and Tianjin. Makiko Matsuda Healy, NYC & Company’s Senior Vice President, Global Tourism Development will join 10 travel partners to promote New York City’s five boroughs to the Chinese market, highlighting member organizations. Fred Dixon, president & CEO and Christopher Heywood, Senior Vice President, Global Communications from NYC & Company will meet with media in Shanghai and Beijing, introducing NYC & Company marketing campaigns and providing New York City updates.

“New York City is breaking visitation records year over year, and we are on track to receive more than 55 million visitors to the five boroughs during 2014. China is one of New York City’s most promising emerging inbound markets, a trend we expect to continue with the recent announcement of extended ten-year-visas for Chinese visitors,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company. “We are pleased to partner with our local tourism businesses to further promote and highlight the energy and vibrancy of the five boroughs and to grow our City’s share of the fast-growing China travel market.”

NYC & Company member businesses joining the China delegation are: Empire State Building Observatory, One World Observatory, Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Museum of Modern Art, Group Sales Box Office/Broadway.com, The Broadway Collection, New York Water Taxi, Wellington Hotel, New York Hilton Midtown, and Woodbury Common Premium Outlets.

Recognized as Asia’s leading professional travel trade show, China International Travel Mart is an important opportunity to showcase New York City to influential tour operators, wholesalers and airline partners in China. On-site business appointments at CITM and during the NYC mini-seminars will target more than 250 trade partners from major Chinese tour operators and outbound travel agencies.

In 2013, New York City welcomed an estimated 646,000 Chinese visitors, up 19% and setting a new visitation record. The outlook for 2014 remains positive as leisure travel continues to increase. New York City is expecting more than 743,000 visitors from China to New York City by year end. Based on 2013 data, approximately 58% of Chinese travel to NYC is for leisure purposes, average party size: 1.6 people. Average spending is $3,591 per person per visit and China market total spending is $2.3 billion. Leading activities for leisure visitors include shopping (86%), Sightseeing (84%) and visiting Art Galleries/Museums (51%).

On October 27, 2014 NYC & Company announced Taylor Swift as New York City’s Global Welcome Ambassador for 2014-2015. As part of the collaboration with Taylor, NYC & Company launched a global tourism campaign—Welcome To New York—named after Taylor’s song of the same name from her top charting new album, 1989. As New York City’s Global Welcome Ambassador, Taylor will showcase the City’s unparalleled vibrancy that inspired her to write “Welcome To New York,” reinforced by the refrain “It’s been waiting for you.”

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.

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NYC & Company / Chris Heywood 212-484-1270
NYC & Company / Britt Hijkoop 212-484-1270
NYC & Company / Winnie Wang 86 21 6358 8708