ETW STAFF – Mumbai
NYC & Company, in partnership with Gullivers Travel Associates (GTA) and Virgin Atlantic Airways, has launched an incentive programme offering the Indian travel trade fraternity an exciting opportunity to experience New York City on a familiarisation trip. Each week from March 11th, 2013 to April 26th, 2013, one agent who makes the maximum bookings with GTA on Virgin Atlantic to New York City will be selected; the top seven producers will be invited for the FAM. To be eligible for the FAM, agents should be certified NYC Specialists, to complete the training module and become an NYC specialist, visit www.nycgo.com/training
“We are pleased to partner with Virgin Atlantic and GTA to increase visibility and visitors to New York City from India. We are well on our way to achieving our goal of US$ 70 billion in economic impact and 55 million visitors by 2015 and want to ensure New York City is at the forefront destination for travel, be it business or leisure,” said Makiko Matsuda Healy, vice president – Tourism Development, NYC & Company. New York City continues to be the premier United States travel destination, with an overseas market share at a record high of 33 percent. In 2012, New York City welcomed an estimated 41 million domestic visitors and 11 million international visitors. In addition, New York City sold a record 29 million hotel room nights and generated a record $504 million in hotel tax revenue.
“New York has always been an important market for Virgin Atlantic – it’s where it all started with our first flight from London in 1984. In the last year alone, we have witnessed 40 per cent more passengers choosing to fly to New York on Virgin from Delhi and we are seeing a similar trend emerge out of Mumbai as well. We are delighted to bring this exciting opportunity for Indian travel trade to experience both Virgin Atlantic’s fabulous service and amazing New York,” said Stephen King, general manager, Virgin Atlantic- India.