NYC & Company Encourages Residents Looking to Vacation this Summer to 'Go Local'

- Six-Week Initiative Highlights Activities Across the Five Boroughs to Help
Residents Explore One of the World's Top Travel Destinations and Off-Set
Vacation Costs during Recession -

- Weekend of July 25 events include Governors Island Folk Music Festival,
Rockaway Beach Sandcastle Contest, and the Latino Film Festival -

NEW YORK, July 23 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of the recently announced 'Go Local'
campaign, NYC & Company -- New York City's marketing, tourism and partnership
organization -- will kick off a six-week initiative, beginning tomorrow,
encouraging local residents to discover the City's five boroughs this summer.
Growing economic concerns and rising gas prices has made travel difficult, but
'Go Local' will help New York City residents still get the most out of their
summer with weekly itineraries on the top activities taking place across the
five boroughs. Over the next six weeks, the NYC & Company campaign will
encourage residents to explore the City they live -- a city widely recognized
as the media, culture, dining, sports, and arts & entertainment capital of the
world. Campaign elements will include print advertising, up-to-the-minute
online information at nycvisit.com/golocal and street teams at locations
across the city including Grand Central Terminal, Union Square and the Bedford
Avenue subway stop in Brooklyn.

"With rising gas prices and an uncertain economy, our goal is to make New York
City accessible and appealing to locals and visitors alike -- regardless of
their budget," said George Fertitta, CEO, NYC & Company. "While some may find
traveling difficult this summer, they should not feel like they have to
compromise their normal getaway plans. Nearly 12.5 million people from around
the world are expected to come and experience the excitement and vibrancy of
New York City this summer -- our residents have a tremendous opportunity to do
the same. There is an abundance of activities across the five boroughs, many
costing little to no money, and everyone -- from our citizens to our 46
million visitors -- should take the opportunity to explore them."

New York City forecasts an estimated 12.5 million visitors between June and
August this year, up from 12 million visitors in 2007. Hotel occupancies
remain strong, with the month of June reaching an 89 percent occupancy rate
with an average daily room rate of $325.

This week's top highlight: Governors Island, one of New York City's most
historically interesting yet undiscovered attractions, offers one of the best
vantage points for viewing The New York City Waterfalls, as well as numerous
free outdoor activities including free Bike Fridays (govisland.com), which
allows visitors to borrow a bike entirely for free on Fridays. Also on
Governors Island, on Saturday, July 26, folk-blues balladeer Eric Bibb will
perform as part of the Governors Island Folk Music Festival
(folksontheisland.com), which takes place every Saturday at Colonel's Row
through August 2. The free folk music festival features outdoor concerts
beginning at 1:30pm. Traveling to and from the Island is free and easy with
the frequent ferry service which leaves for Governors Island from the Battery
Maritime Building at the corner of South and Whitehall Streets in Lower
Manhattan

Additional highlights throughout the five boroughs are as follows:

Manhattan
Ideal for "summer-Fridays", locals should take the opportunity to enjoy the
new Dali exhibit currently on show at TheMuseum of Modern Art (moma.org) while
admission is free on Friday evenings from 4-8pm. Additionally, on Friday, July
25, RiverFlicks for Kids (nyc.gov/parks.org) will show the classic film E.T at
Pier 46 at Charles Street. The free outdoor screening will begin at 8:30pm and
includes free popcorn. Continuing the theme of cinema under the stars, on
Saturday July 26, Los Paquetes de Paquita will be screened outdoors as part of
the Latino Film Festival (nylatinofilm.com) at Thomas Jefferson Park.
Festivities begin at 6pm and will include a special guest appearance by
legendary actress and singer Maria Victoria.

Brooklyn
For a perfect view of The New York City Waterfalls (nycvisit.com/waterfalls/,
nycwaterfalls.org) at night, locals should walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to
enjoy spectacular views of the illuminated monumental-scale public art
installation as well as stunning views of the City that residents often
overlook. Worth the walk alone, Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory situated at Fulton
Ferry Landing Pier serves delicious ice cream and is open from noon until 11pm
Thursday - Sunday throughout the summer. Reachable by the number 2,3,4 and 5
and B and Q subway lines, on Friday, July 25, world-renowned composer Philip
Glass and his ensemble will perform with Brooklyn based singer/songwriter
Marta Topferova to avant garde visuals chronicling cultures around the world
at Prospect Park Bandshell as part of the Celebrate Brooklyn! (briconline.org)
30 summers of free performances festivities, and on Sunday, July 27, the free
JellyNYC (jellynyc.com) pool party suitable for all ages will take place at
McCarren Pool from 2pm - 7pm.

Queens
Located on the Rockaway Peninsula of Queens, Rockaway Beach is America's
longest municipal beach totaling seven and a half miles, and is a great place
to cool off from the summer heat. Lifeguards are stationed on the beaches from
Memorial Day through Labor Day and visitors can enjoy the only surfing in New
York City, as well as basketball and handball courts, roller-hockey rinks,
sitting areas and playgrounds along the boardwalk and adjoining areas. On
Sunday, July 27, the 13th annual Sand Castle Contest (nyc.gov/parks.org) will
take place from noon - 2pm. Visitors should bring buckets and tools, and for
easy access, New York Water Taxi (nywatertaxi.com) operates a weekend ferry
service costing $6 each way, between Pier 11 in Manhattan and Riis Landing at
Gateway's Breezy Point District in Rockaway.

Staten Island
A new addition allowing visitors to easily explore Staten Island is the Gray
Line Discover Staten Island Tour (NewYorkSightseeing.com) hop-on, hop-off bus
service with hourly departures every day. Tickets cost just $15 and the tour
includes stops at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, the
Staten Island Zoo, the Forest Avenue Shopping District, Clove Lake Park, Fort
Wadsworth and the St. George Ferry Terminal. Visitors can reach Staten Island
via the free Staten Island ferry (siferry.com) where refreshments (including
beer) may be purchased on board.

The Bronx
One of the borough's most popular attractions, the Bronx Zoo (bronxzoo.com),
which recently opened its newest exhibit, Madagascar, at a cost of $62
million, is part of NYC & Company's 'Summer in the City' savings program and
visitors to the zoo can enjoy discounted entry by visiting
nycvisit.com/summerinthecity and accessing the 2008 Saving Pass which features
close to 200 special savings offers throughout the five boroughs. On Fridays
access to the Bronx Museum of the Arts (bronxmuseum.org) is free and visitors
to the borough should combine their visit with a trip to Orchard Beach
(nycgovparks.org). Referred to as the "Bronx Riviera", the mile-long crescent
beach located at Pelham Bay Park, is ideal for soaking up the sun and there is
a boardwalk for people-watching, as well as a band shell where weekend
concerts are held and tennis, paddleball and basketball courts.

For more information about staying in NYC this summer go to
nycvisit.com/golocal

About NYC & Company:
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.

SOURCE NYC & Company

Kimberly Spell of NYC & Company, +1-212-484-1270, kspell@nycvisit.com