- With Fewer Vacation Days Than Any Other Nation, NYC & Company Recommends New Yorkers Use Their Summer Weekends to Explore One of the World's Top Travel Destinations - - Weekend of August 22: Highlights Across the Five Boroughs Include James Blake Shares the Good, Summer Streets and Yoga in the Park -
NEW YORK, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- NYC & Company, New York City's
marketing, tourism and partnership organization, today recognized the
reputation that New York City residents have for working some of the nation's
longest hours, and called on New Yorkers to make the most of their valuable
time off during the summer months and to 'Go Local' and discover and all that
the City destination has to offer. The number of vacation days Americans
receive (on average just nine days a year) falls significantly below the world
average, and unlike all other industrialized countries, U.S. vacation days are
at the discretion of employers and are not obligatory which is the norm
throughout the rest of the world, including countries such as France where 30
paid vacation days is mandatory. Acknowledging the importance of taking time
to relax and the benefits of vacations in improving health, relationships,
educational opportunities, cultural and historical awareness as well as worker
productivity, NYC & Company today urged New Yorkers to take advantage of their
weekends and 'Summer Fridays' by exploring their own backyard, one of the
world's top travel destinations.
"New York City is a major hub for many industries from fashion and media
to finance and technology, many of which operate around the clock, and there
is no doubt that New Yorkers have a reputation for working beyond standard
business hours," said George Fertitta, CEO, NYC & Company." With this is mind,
we are encouraging residents who work hard throughout the week to open their
eyes to all of the relaxing activities they still have time to enjoy this
summer, from the beaches, parks, pools and rooftops to shopping, dining,
entertainment and arts and cultural offerings throughout the five boroughs,
which offer an abundance of ways to wind down."
Helping New Yorkers to easily navigate the City this summer, NYC &
Company's 'Go Local' campaign, encourages residents to explore the City via
weekly itineraries on the top activities taking place across the five
boroughs. Additional campaign elements designed to encourage local residents
to discover the City this summer include print advertising and commercials on
New York City taxi cab monitors, up-to-the-minute online information at
nycvisit.com/golocal, branded 'Go Local' promotional materials including beach
balls and frisbees distributed at various locations across the City, and
street teams armed with weekly five borough itineraries, 'Go Local' stickers
and temporary tattoos, deployed at nine locations throughout the City
including Grand Central Terminal, Union Square and the Bedford Avenue subway
stop in Brooklyn.
This week's top highlight: Taking place on Friday, August 22 at the World
Financial Center Plaza in advance of the US Open, James Blake Shares the Good
(nycvisit.com) is a unique charity event where New Yorkers over 21 can
practice their serve for free with tennis star James Blake, as well as a 6-ft
tall ball machine shaped like a Heineken Premium Light DraughtKeg for the
chance to win prizes including US Open tickets. Beginning at 11am-3pm, the
event hosted by James Blake and Heineken Premium Light will also feature beer
sampling and tennis tips from the Metro Tennis Association.
Additional highlights throughout the five boroughs are as follows:
Manhattan
On Saturday, August 23 from 7am-1pm, Summer Streets
(nyc.gov/html/dot/summerstreets) will allow New Yorkers to enjoy Park Avenue
and connecting streets from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park. The streets
will be temporarily closed to motor vehicles and opened up to pedestrians to
bike, jog or stroll at their leisure. Further relaxation can be found from 3pm
on Saturday, August 23 at the free Charlie Parker Jazz Festival
(nyc.gov/parks) in Harlem's Marcus Garvey Park where some of the finest
musicians in the world gather annually to celebrate and reflect Parker's
musical individuality in neighborhoods where Charlie Parker lived and worked.
Brooklyn
Yoga in the Park(nyc.gov/parks) is New York City's largest free yoga
practice held at Mccarren Park Pool. From 10am-noon on Saturday, August 23,
yoga enthusiasts can learn everything from Hatha to Vinyasa, followed by
meditation, chanting, and lectures that will continue on until late afternoon.
New Yorkers looking to cool off from the summer heat should visit Red Hook
Pool(nyc.gov/parks) before all of the City's outdoor pools close on
September 1.
Queens
Weekly through September 27 from noon-3pm Saturday, Sculpture Workshops
(socratessculpturepark.org) at Socrates Sculpture Park offer fun for all ages,
serve as a learning tool and provide a great way to de-stress. On Sunday,
August 24, the free Hot Jazz/Cool Garden (qc.cuny.edu) concert at the Louis
Armstrong House Museum (louisarmstronghouse.org) from 1pm-3pm takes place in
the museum's idyllic Japanese garden, perfect for unwinding.
Staten Island
Dog lovers should not miss the free Agility Trail Dog Show on Saturday,
August 23, from 7am-7pm where dogs handlers will run their dogs through
agility courses, and can purchase items such as treats, leashes, and toys.
Fishing at the Ocean Breeze Fishing Pier
(statenislandusa.com/pages/fishing.html) allows the chance to catch striped
bass, weakfish and bluefish as well as enjoy the beach and observe wildlife.
The Bronx
At Canela Salon & Spa (canelaspa.com) visitors leave feeling relaxed and
revitalized with a variety of treatments including a seaweed wrap or the
Melting Muscle Massage. Outdoors, the Floating Pool Lady (nyc.gov/parks)
situated in Barretto Point Park is a unique public pool with a calming view of
New York City's waterfront.
For more information about staying in NYC this summer go to:
nycvisit.com/golocal
For more information, copy of the advertisement or images of street teams
throughout the City, call NYC & Company's press office (212.484.1270).
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
