NYC & Company Launches NYC 09 To Highlight The Incredible Opportunity & Unprecedented Value Of NY

5/19/09

NYC & COMPANY LAUNCHES �NYC �09� TO HIGHLIGHT THE INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY AND UNPRECEDENTED VALUE OF A TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY





-Despite Global Recession, City�s Tourism and Marketing Office Highlights Affordability and Unique Experiences in 2009 with Special Savings at NYC Hotels, Restaurants, Shows, Attractions, Museums, Shopping, Entertainment, Tours and More-




Miami Beach, Florida (May 19, 2009) � Against the backdrop of the 41st International Pow Wow in Miami, Florida, and before delegates of the international and domestic travel media, NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta today launched NYC �09, a new integrated communications and marketing initiative that will showcase 2009 as a year of great opportunity and unprecedented value and affordability for consumers. NYC �09 will promote travel to the United States� number one overseas destination by showcasing the many offers, new products and iconic anniversaries taking place in 2009. Despite the global recession, New York City remains an attractive draw for global travelers and the program hopes to motivate short-term bookings.


�During the global recession, New York City is offering visitors unprecedented value and opportunity in �09�we believe more people will want to book travel here to enjoy a world-class vacation at an attractive price,� said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. �This is the year to take advantage of a multitude of special offers at our City�s hotels, restaurants, attractions, museums, shops, restaurants, Broadway shows, and entertainment venues.�


With value top of mind in 2009, NYC & Company will offer visitors unprecedented savings through �NYC: The Real Deal,� a promotion providing discounts for visitors at hotels, shows, museums, attractions, restaurants, shops, tours and more. The special offers can be accessed on the City�s official tourism Web site, nycgo.com. The promotion offers �buy one, get the second at 50% off� at more than 90 NYC hospitality businesses. Special cooperative partnerships have also been formed with the international travel trade to expand the message of value and opportunity globally.


Additional �NYC �09� incentives include Summer Restaurant Week in July ($24.07 three-course lunches, $35 three-course dinners), the ongoing NYC Sunday Stays program (offering 20-30% off a Sunday night hotel stay), the Signature Collection�s Third Night promotion in July and August (buy two nights, get the third night free at several luxury hotels in Manhattan); and a summer version of the �NYC: The Real Deal� promotion, which will provide exceptional value to families traveling to New York City.


Landmark celebrations such as the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Henry Hudson, the 100th anniversary of the NAACP, and the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion along with iconic new product such as the debut of the High Line Park in June and the re-opening of the Statue of Liberty�s crown in July will also help position New York City as the premier U.S. leisure destination in 2009.


�New York City is a destination that offers rich experiences for its visitors�travelers to the nation�s largest City benefit from the ability to do more here in three days compared to a week anywhere else�that added experiential value is a compelling reason to visit the �world�s second home.� In 2009, milestone events and iconic openings will give consumers more reason to travel here than ever before,� added Fertitta.


New York City continues to dominate the nation with a 32% market share of all overseas travelers to the United States. New hotel development continues to make the destination more attractive to consumers�from 2009 to 2011, the City is adding an estimated 61 new properties, adding 11,100 rooms to the current inventory. NYC�s hotel industry is performing 15% higher than the national average. More than 50% of room night bookings originate from international travelers, a segment of the visitor market that stays longer and spends more money while visiting New York. On Broadway, more shows opened this season than any other year since 1982. Gas prices are also expected to be lower this summer compared to previous years, making the City even more accessible to those who travel by airline or automobile.


Contact: Kimberly Spell/ Chris Heywood (212) 484- 1270