Mayor Bloomberg Announces Election of Emily K. Rafferty as NYC & Company Chairwoman

3/25/08

NEW YORK CITY VOTED PET-FRIENDLIEST DESTINATION


Destination Offers Multitude of Options for City�s Four-Legged Visitors


New York City (March 25, 2008) NYC & Company, New York City�s marketing and tourism organization, proudly announced today that the readers of Animal Fair magazine chose New York City as the recipient of this year�s �Cesar Five Dog Bone Pet-Friendliest Destination.� From top-notch hotels to trendy department stores to outdoor parks, venues all over the City provide a haven for four-legged visitors�and, of course, for their owners, too.


�New York City is a vibrant destination for visitors year-round�whether they�re four-legged or two-legged. We want to remind travelers that the City offers plenty of options for owners traveling with their pets,� said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company.


One of New York City�s most pet-friendly hotels is The London NYC in Midtown Manhattan. The recently renovated property�the tallest in New York City�offers stunning views and comfortable accommodations for both owners and pets. Four-legged friends also receive ample food and treats to top off the experience.


The five W New York hotels �W New York, W The Court, W The Tuscany, W Time Square and W Union Square�have a popular �Pets Are Welcome� program which comprises special dog and cat services, courtesy of the hotel�s concierge.


Loews Regency New York is a haven for pets, too: the �Loews Loves Pets� program provides special treatment to both pets and their owners. In addition to on-site services, amenities include maps of local pet-walking routes and puppy pagers.


Other notable hotels that embrace pets include the Soho and Tribeca Grand Hotels; the Waldorf Towers, The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel and the Hilton Times Square.


Several New York City department stores also cater to well-behaved canines. These include Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale�s and Saks Fifth Avenue. Saks even decorated their famous windows this winter to coincide with the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan.


Shoppers may also take their pets to the City�s mega cultural shopping center the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle, and, while there, drop by Bouchon Bakery, an authentic French Boulangerie for some foie gras�enriched dog biscuits.


For a superior pet salon, try Le Chien in the Trump Plaza on Third Avenue. The stand-out boutique has groomed, bathed and boarded pets for 28 years.


New York City is well known for its abundance of dog parks around the City, and this includes Madison Square Park at 23rd Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues. The site is within walking distance of the Flatiron Building, and the deliciously famous Shake Shack is on the premises.


Dog-walkers who want to get a glimpse of New York�s version of France�s Arc de Triomphe can stroll through Washington Square Park at Fifth Avenue and Waverly Place.


Central Park, meanwhile, offers pets unlimited exercise�from the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir to hikes on many of the trails. The stretch of land between 59th and 106th Streets and Fifth and Eight Avenues, even sanctions dogs off-leash from 9pm to 9am.though playgrounds are restricted.


Pet owners in Lower Manhattan can stroll through Battery Park, adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal, and hit the Sirius Dog Run in Kowsky Plaza. Named for a bomb-sniffing Labrador retriever killed on 9/11, the run includes fountains, hills and plenty of room to romp.


The Brooklyn Ale House, located in Williamsburg, allows dogs to chill out while their owners drink.


Getting around New York City couldn�t be easier with New York�s Pet Taxi (212-757-1757). Sometimes local cabs will also transport pets. (It�s at their discretion).


For more information on visiting New York City, go to nycgo.com.



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 1270
cheywood@nycgo.com
Thatiana Wilkinson
NYC & Company
tel 212 484 1270
twilkinson@nycgo.com