NYC & Company, in partnership with 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 fortnight till 31 August 2014, 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.
“We are pleased to work once again with Virgin Atlantic and GTA to increase visibility and visitors to New York City from India. NYC & Company members partnering with us for this promotion are Sheraton Times Square New York and Hotel Beacon along with Mamma Mia! from Broadway Collection, Top of The Rock, The Ride, New York Water Taxi/Circle Line and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum,” 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 2013, New York City welcomed an estimated 54.3 million visitors a new all-time high. In addition, New York City sold a record 30 million hotel room nights.
“We are delighted to bring this exciting opportunity enabling the Indian travel trade to experience both Virgin Atlantic’s fabulous service and the New York City. We connect passengers seamlessly through our London hub and are witnessing a huge surge in sales from both Delhi and Mumbai on this popular route. We appreciate that the passengers today, enjoy taking a break during the journey, stretching their legs and shopping in Duty Free. We are confident that leveraging the synergies of the partnership with GTA and NYC & Co will really drive up the number of passengers travelling to the Big Apple this year,” said Stephen King, General Manager, Virgin Atlantic India.
“The profile of US destinations is increasing in India and New York City is right at the top of people’s wish-list. This is a great opportunity for travel agents to learn first-hand just what the city has to offer. Whether it’s a short stay or a longer trip, GTA draws on decades of experience and long-standing relationships with organisations like NYC & Company and Virgin Atlantic to advise and inspire travel agents about destinations and places to stay in all parts of the world,” said Gopika Khanna, FIT Area Manager – India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh & Nepal, GTA.
