| Contact: | Sunny Mindel/Curt Ritter | (212) 788-2958 |
"More than 38 million people visited our City last year, making New York City one of the top tourist destinations in the world," said Mayor Giuliani. "However, in order to remain at the top we must make a diligent effort to promote New York City and everything it has to offer -- Broadway, top restaurants, and historical attractions, as well as renowned museums and cultural institutions. People everywhere have heard about New York City's success story, its cleaner and safer than ever before, but many are still unaware that New York City is a great place for a family vacation. Other cities, including Las Vegas and Orlando, spend millions of dollars each year promoting themselves. For New York City to remain competitive with these top tourist destinations, and to help increase tourism during the traditionally slower winter months, I am pleased to announce this $3 million grant to NYC & Company. This grant will enable NYC & Company to create and implement an aggressive nationwide advertising campaign to promote New York City as the premier tourist destination."
The campaign aims to increase travel to New York City from during the City's slower tourism months. The campaign will include, creating a 30-second television spot, developing printed material and conducting focus groups in selected target markets.
"It has been a dream of many of us in the city to be able to market New York with the sophisticated, high-impact tools a world class city deserves," said Tim Zagat, Chairman of NYC & Company. "In 2001, we have the opportunity to join many of our top competitors by attracting additional visitor dollars with a first-rate television ad campaign."
NYC & Company President & CEO Cristyne Lategano-Nicholas said, "Television is a medium that inspires and motivates. As we face a potential slowdown in the economy, the timing of this advertising campaign becomes even more important. Our goal is to capture the spirit of New York City, after its incredible turn--around and revitalization, and extend these desirable impressions for years to come. We applaud the Mayor and the Economic Development Corporation for demonstrating such a strong commitment to growing New York City's tourism industry, and most critically, investing in the City's economic future."
Individuals who wish to learn more about everything New York City has to offer can call (800) NYC-VISIT, log onto www.nycvisit.com on the Web, or stop by New York City's Official Visitor Information Center, located at 810 Seventh Avenue, at 53rd Street.
NYC & Company - the Convention & Visitors Bureau is the City's official tourism marketing agency. A private, non--profit organization with a current membership of more than 1,300 businesses, the Convention & Visitors Bureau has been in operation since 1935. Its principal mission is to enhance New York City's economy through tourism development by marketing the City on a worldwide basis.