Mayor Bloomberg And NYC & Company Offer Assistance To Visitors Whose Stays Extended, Iceland Volcano

MAYOR BLOOMBERG AND NYC & COMPANY OFFER TRAVEL ASSISTANCE TO VISITORS WHOSE STAYS IN NEW YORK HAVE BEEN EXTENDED BECAUSE OF THE ICELAND VOLCANO

- City Provides More than 30 Hotel Discounts, Airport Transportation Discounts and Tools to Make Extended Stay for Travelers More Manageable -

- Up-to-Date Weekend Travel Information on Local Events and Cultural Options Available at NYCGO.com -

New York City (April 16, 2010)-- Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and NYC & Company, New York City’s marketing, tourism and partnership organization, today announced hotel discounts and additional resources that will allow travelers to make the most of their extended stay in New York City this weekend in the wake of Wednesday’s eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland, which has impacted transatlantic travel between New York City and Europe. NYC & Company has banded together with more than 30 member hotels to offer a 15 percent discount on the best available rate this weekend to passengers who have been impacted by the incident and aren’t able to receive hotel vouchers through their airlines. In addition, the City’s official tourism website, www.nycgo.com, is offering visitors information on low-cost activities this weekend for those who are extending their New York City vacations, including information on cultural events, restaurants, Broadway, attractions, performing arts and more. NYC & Company members New York Airport Service and Go Airlink Shuttle will also extend a 15 percent discount for transportation to and from John F. Kennedy or Newark Liberty International Airports for visitors who have had to extend their stay due to the volcanic ash incident.

“While for many travelers having a stay in New York extended unexpectedly is a great stroke of luck, the logistics involved can also be a bit of a pain in the neck,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “We hope these special discounts and tips for low-cost activities in town show people around the world that no matter what happens anywhere on earth, we’re ready for it – and for you – in New York City.”

“Over the last 24 hours, NYC & Company has engaged the local travel industry to offer hotel and airline transportation discounts in response to the volcanic eruption – we want to collectively send the message that New York City is always a welcoming destination even during unexpected circumstances such as this,” said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta. “We invite our European visitors who are extending their visit here this weekend to check out the latest NYC travel information at nycgo.com and to visit our Information Center on Seventh Avenue to plan their weekend itineraries.”

To help travelers make the most of their additional time in New York City, NYC & Company has compiled a wide range of information and offers for travelers.  Offers include15 percent discounts at more than 30 of the City’s hotels through Monday, April 19th (checking out on April 19th): Ace Hotel; Affinia Manhattan; Andaz Wall Street; The Beekman Hotel; The Carlton Hotel; Comfort Inn Midtown West; Doubletree Guest Suites Times Square; Econo Lodge Times Square; Grand Union Hotel; Hampton Inn – Manhattan/Soho; Hilton Manhattan East; Hotel Plaza Athenee; Holiday Inn-Manhattan View; Hudson Hotel; InterContinental New York Barclay; the Lucerne Hotel; Morgans Hotel; The New York Helmsley Hotel; Night Hotel New York; NU Hotel Brooklyn; Plaza Hotel; Royalton Hotel; the Strand Hotel NYC; Skyline Hotel New York; St. Regis New York; Hotel Wales; Washington Jefferson Hotel; Wellington Hotel; Wingate by Wyndham Manhattan Midtown; The Wolcott Hotel; and 3 West Club. 

Detailed hotel booking information and valid offer codes can be found at nycgo.com. The hotel discounts are based on availability and it is recommended that impacted visitors call the hotel directly to book.

The Official NYC Information Center, located at 810 Seventh Avenue between 52nd and 53rd Streets, will provide visitors with the Official NYC Spring Visitor Guide, maps and information on accessing the City’s attractions – from Broadway to museums and performing arts throughout the five boroughs. In addition, there will be a limited supply of umbrellas provided courtesy of J & R Music & Computer World to visitors who show their airline ticket stub.

Visitor kiosks are also located throughout the City to assist visitors with locations in Times Square, Harlem, the Financial District (26 Wall Street), City Hall Park (Broadway at Park Row) and Chinatown (at the intersection of Canal, Walker and Baxter Streets).

New York City is the number one tourist destination among overseas travelers, attracting more than 7.5 million visitors in 2009. On an average April day, the city welcomes 12,000 new Western European visitors. The city welcomed approximately 45.2 million visitors from both domestic and international markets in 2009; travelers who spent approximately $28 billion across the five boroughs. The city became the most popular U.S. travel destination in 2009, ahead of nearest competitors Orlando and Las Vegas.

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 www.nycgo.com .

For more press inquiries please contact the press office at 212 484 1270