NYC & Company Opens New Tourism Office in Brazil

10/23/07

NYC & COMPANY OPENS TOURISM OFFICE IN BRAZIL


City Businesses Prepare to Welcome Visitors and Couples with Special Offers and Promotions






S�o Paulo, Brazil (October 23, 2007) NYC & Company, the official marketing and tourism organization for New York City, today announced the opening of a new tourism office in S�o Paulo, Brazil, and has selected Interamerican Travel Industry Network to represent the City in this growing market.


"Travel to New York City from Brazil has shown substantial increases over the last few years, but we have a long way to go to achieve a greater share of the Brazilian market," said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. "Our hope is that with the opening of our new office in S�o Paulo, we can build the market even more, and successfully compete with other destinations who are aggressively courting the lucrative Brazilian market."


Interamerican Travel Industry Network is exclusively dedicated to the travel industry and will perform a wide range of services for NYC & Company, including marketing, promotions and public relations. The company is known for its strong trade expertise and airline knowledge. They will serve as NYC & Company�s agency of record in Brazil.


"We are excited to represent the most exciting city in the world in one of the most important international markets," said Danielle Roman, managing director, Interamerican Travel Industry Network. "Last year, New York City welcomed 151,000 Brazilian visitors, and we only expect that number to steadily increase in the years to come. We look forward to helping NYC & Company grow this important market."


NYC & Company�s representative office will be located in Sao Paulo, Brazil, at Av. Ipiranga, 318- Bloco "A," 5th floor. The office will primarily deal with media, travel trade, airlines, tour operators and other travel-related companies but will also be open to the general public.


Three-quarters of Brazilian visitors to NYC travel for leisure purposes, with 66% visiting New York City on vacation/holidays and 10% visiting friends and relatives. Brazilians spend an average of 8.4 nights in the City and 78% stay in a hotel while visiting. They enjoy dining out (88%) and shopping (87%) as well as visiting historical sites, galleries and art museums.


New York City is the number one destination for Brazilians traveling to the US, ahead of Miami. Last year, Brazilian visitors collectively spent an estimated $425 million in New York City, an average of $2,800 per person per trip.


Brazil is the fifth-largest country in the world with a population of 185 million people.


Interamerican represents such clients as Air New Zealand, Alaska Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, St. Maarten Tourist Bureau and Cruise West.


NYC & Company opens its office on the same day that the Travel Industry Association of America holds its Discover America media and travel trade events and just before the annual ABAV Travel Show, which takes place this week in Rio de Janeiro. NYC & Company will attend both events.



About NYC & CompanyNYC & 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.




Contacts
Chris Heywood
NYC & Company
tel 212 484 5458
cheywood@nycgo.comKimberly Spell
NYC & Company
tel 212 484 1270
kspell@nycgo.com