NYC & COMPANY PRESENTS NEW NEW YORK CITY DURING IPW

6/2/15


NYC & COMPANY PRESENTS THE ‘NEW’ NEW YORK CITY DURING IPW, THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY’S PREMIER INTERNATIONAL MARKETPLACE



—NYC & Company Joined by One World Observatory, the Whitney Museum of American Art and the New York Wheel & Empire Outlets to Showcase Latest Openings and Developments



—New Official NYC Family Ambassador and Latest NYCGO Insider Guide Unveiled at IPW—



Orlando, Florida (June 2, 2015) — This week at IPW—the travel industry's premier international marketplace—NYC & Company, the City’s marketing and tourism organization, is highlighting the “new” New York City and sharing details of significant new New York City openings and developments that are transforming the City’s tourism landscape.



At a press conference this morning at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center, NYC & Company president and CEO Fred Dixon and Senior Vice President of Global Communications Chris Heywood were accompanied by representatives of the One World Observatory, which was unveiled last week in Lower Manhattan (May 29); the Whitney Museum of American Art, opened on May 1 in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District; and the New York Wheel and Empire Outlets, debuting 2016-17 in St. George, Staten Island.



In addition, NYC & Company today announced its first-ever bilingual family tourism campaign starring Dora as the City’s newest Official NYC Family Ambassador. In 2014, the City welcomed an estimated 17.2 million family visitors, a 3 percent increase from the year before. Starting today on nycgo.com/family, Dora will encourage family travel with kid-friendly NYC travel materials, guides and itineraries in both English and Spanish.



NYC & Company also today rolled out its latest NYCGO Insider Guide, featuring Brooklyn’s Coney Island, the perfect summer travel destination. As part of the neighborhood promotion, the legendary amusement district is highlighted in a short documentary featuring locals who recommend the neighborhood’s must-visit attractions, restaurants, shops and more on nycgo.com/insiderguides.



“New York City is enjoying a period of unprecedented growth with new openings and developments that make the destination a compelling choice for visitors from around the world,” said Fred Dixon, NYC & Company president and CEO. “As the nation’s number one U.S. city destination for international visitation, we are pleased to be at IPW to sell and promote the ‘new’ New York City to our key international audiences. As summer approaches, we are also pleased to announce a new bilingual family tourism campaign starring Dora and to introduce our newest NYCGO Insider Guide featuring Coney Island.”



Directly following today’s press conference, NYC & Company will host its fourth consecutive IPW Luncheon, NYC Center Stage, in conjunction with Broadway Inbound. The event, hosted by David Hyde Pierce, will showcase live performances by the casts of Aladdin, The Book of Mormon, Fiddler on the Roof, The Lion King, Matilda the Musical and On the Town



Since 2006, international travel to New York City has increased by more than 67 percent, from 7.3 million visitors in 2006 to 12.2 million last year. Last year, the City welcomed an overall all-time record 56.4 million visitors. In March, 2014, NYC & Company announced the path to the next 10 million visitors, with a new tourism target of 67 million annual visitors by 2021. This year, NYC & Company is forecasting 58.1 million visitors.



With unrivaled offerings, New York City remains a must-see destination for visitors, no matter their interests. From outdoor activities to shopping developments, there is something for everyone to enjoy. NYC & Company campaigns such as “Welcome to New York” featuring Taylor Swift as the City’s Global Welcome Ambassador as well as the newly launched “Hello Summer” program spotlighting the City’s five boroughs as a summer travel destination continue to create urgency for visitors to book and visit New York City.



During IPW, NYC & Company is joined by 14 New York City travel industry partners including The New York Pass; Top of the Rock & Rockefeller Center; Heartland Brewery; the Whitney Museum of American Art; TravelAdvocates; Bridgeton Holdings; Alliance for Downtown New York; BR Guest Hospitality; The Shops at Columbus Circle; NYC Airporter; Carnegie Hall; One World Observatory; Patina Restaurant Group; and Hotel Edison.



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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Contact: NYC & Company / Chris Heywood 212-484-1270
          NYC & Company / Britt Hijkoop 212-484-1270