NYC & Company, the tourism and convention bureau for New York City, brought its MICE messages to over 100 corporate buyers at The Libertine in London last night (8 October), as part of a European roadshow tour that includes Milan and Munich.
Thirteen members met with buyers over cocktails and food and with a DJ giving a taste of NYC nightlife. Jerry Cito, Senior Vice-President, Convention Development, at NYC & Company, said: “Last month, New York City was named the top destination in the world in which to do business in the largest ever global study [Ipsos MORI – Ed] on the world’s best cities”.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the bureau’s CEO George Fertitta reacted to the US Government shutdown by acknowledging that any closure of government-run tourism attractions such as the national parks and the Statue of Liberty was “disappointing to some travellers”.
Fertita said he did not foresee the impasse in Congress creating a major impact on New York City tourism. “Visitors will choose other things to see and do and there’s plenty to offer across the five boroughs,” he said. “We remain on track to achieve another record year for tourism, with at least 53m visitors expected by year’s end.”
With the IMEX America trade show is set to open in Las Vegas (15-17 October), CN asked Ray Bloom, IMEX Group Chairman, to comment on the US Government shutdown.
“We already work closely with the US Travel Association, and in turn they are in close touch with the White House. We’ve been advised there is no impact on travel or security services, for example, as these staff are considered essential and are all working normally.
“For IMEX America that means ‘business as usual’ and if the situation changes for any reason the US Travel Association will be quick to advise.”
Roger Dow of the USTA had previously admitted that the shutdown was “creating a harmful perception that travel to and within the United States is tenuous”.
Brand USA, the organisation promoting the United States as an international travel destination, said it did not expect the partial government shutdown to have a major impact on travel to the US. “Customs, immigration, and aviation security are essential functions and unaffected by the shutdown. US Embassies and Consulates will continue to process visa applications because this is funded by visa application fees,” a statement from the company said.
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