NYCand Co bids to rebuild confidence with trade trip

NYCand Co bids to rebuild confidence with trade trip

THE NEW York City tourist office is taking four senior operators to the city in the first official trade visit from the UK since last month’s terrorist attacks.

Sarah Handy, managing director of the London-based NYC and Company, will accompany the operators on a two-night trip to the city on October 14. The group includes Premier Holidays product director Rob Haynes, Unijet independent worldwide manager Richard Strange, Cosmos coach tours product director Peter Traynor and Stewart Jackson-Cox, commercial director at direct-sell operator The Destination Group.

The visit is aimed at showing the four that the main tourist areas have not been affected by the disaster. It will also give them the chance to meet hoteliers, ground handlers and representatives from the NYC New York office to discuss ways of stimulating tourism in the wake of the disaster.

“The idea is for them to see that it is open for business but it is not a fam trip. We are taking them out to sit down with the bureau and work out how we can rebuild confidence in the city,” said Handy.

During the trip, the group will visit the midtown area to see some of the most popular sites such as the Empire State Building and Fifth Avenue, and a Broadway show, before taking part in a brain-storming session with the bureau.

Handy said there are also plans for tour operator, conference and incentive and media fam trips in the coming months.

“New York needs the business. We are encouraging tour operators and consumers to come back,” she added.

Handy: the trip will show operators the city remains open for business