NYC & Company Launches “NYC ‘09” to Highlight the Big Apple

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 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.

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 percent 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.

New York City continues to dominate the nation with a 32 percent 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 & 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.