Mayor Bloomberg And Nyc & Company Announce 'neighborhood X Neighborhood' Campaign Inviting Travelers To Explore New York City's Five Boroughs

March 13, 2013

Over the Past Six Years, 72 New Hotels Have Been Built Outside of Manhattan Alone

Mayor Bloomberg and NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, today announced Neighborhood x Neighborhood, a new initiative designed to  support local businesses and encourage tourism in neighborhoods outside traditional tourist locations across the five boroughs. Starting today with Bushwick, Fort Greene and Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NYC & Company will promote neighborhoods each month as a visiting points of interest for New Yorkers and the more than 52 million visitors who travel to New York City each year. More and more travelers are visiting boroughs beyond Manhattan, and in just the past six years, 72 new hotels have been built outside of Manhattan alone.

“Visitors to New York City should know that in every borough of our great city, there are neighborhoods with great restaurants, shops and cultural institutions,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “We’ve focused on bringing more tourists to neighborhoods outside of Manhattan, and it’s paid off with more hotels being built and tourism-related economic activity happening in those boroughs. Our neighborhoods are what make New York City unique, and visitors who explore the boroughs beyond the beaten path are sure to be rewarded with unforgettable, only-in-New-York experiences.”

“Under Mayor Bloomberg’s leadership the tourism industry in New York City continues to prosper and is an important pillar of our five borough economic development strategy,” said Deputy Mayor Robert K. Steel. “With more hotels, attractions and transportation options than ever before, Neighborhood x Neighborhood will encourage visitors from across the globe to take advantage of the value, affordability and accessibility of neighborhoods in all five boroughs and keep New York City at the forefront of attracting new and repeat visitors.”

“Whether a local, first-time traveler or repeat visitor to New York City Neighborhood x Neighborhood will offer up a number of unique suggestions on what to see and do here,” said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta. “Highlighting a combination of popular attractions, hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path activities, we are going to broaden the common perception of our City while disbursing visitor spending among our local businesses.”

“Neighborhood x Neighborhood is another example of NYC & Company’s constant efforts to attract new and repeat visitors to New York City,” said Emily Rafferty, Chairman of NYC & Company’s Board of Directors and President of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. “The new initiative will spotlight the vast range of restaurants, retailers, hotels, performing arts and culture venues across the five boroughs to New Yorkers and international audiences and help us reach our goal of 55 million visitors and $70 billion in economic impact by 2015.”

As New York City’s landscape of over 90,000 hotel rooms, 25,000 restaurants and over 31,000 retail trade establishments (supporting 356,000 leisure and hospitality jobs) continues to grow, the City strives to meet its new goal of welcoming 55 million visitors by 2015, generating $70 billion in economic impact. With Neighborhood x Neighborhood, NYC & Company aims to encourage the influx of visitors to explore neighborhoods, attractions and hotels outside the traditional tourist locations.

Starting today, the first neighborhoods to be featured by this monthly program are Bushwick, Fort Greene and Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Information on the many museums, restaurants, venues and stores in the neighborhoods lives on NYC & Company’s website at nycgo.com/neighborhoods, and photos and B-roll are available for download at nycgo.com/pressphotos.

“I fully support the Neighborhood x Neighborhood campaign and the expansion of New York's tourism into our outer-borough gems,” said Council Member Letitia James. "I am pleased that historic Fort Greene--home to the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Brooklyn Flea, and architectural and cultural landmarks--will be one of the program's first stops.”

“Neighborhoods like Williamsburg are what make New York the greatest city in the world. Williamsburg's diverse communities, cultural events, and restaurants make it the perfect location for visitors looking to spend an exciting day. I couldn't be any more proud to represent Williamsburg and the unique neighborhoods surrounding it in my district,” said Council Member Stephen Levin.

“I am incredibly excited by NYC & Company's announcement today. The Neighborhood X Neighborhood is the type of campaign that will truly impact the average New Yorker because it promotes the neighborhoods we live in, the businesses we own and operate, and the cultural centers that we love and share with our families," said Council Member Diana Reyna. "The allure of New York City extends past the well trodden tourist spots like Times Square, it lives and breathes in our local shops, restaurants, and art spaces. By highlighting businesses like Brooklyn Cupcake and cultural organizations like NUTUREart, we are redefining the 'New York' experience for visitors and locals alike.”

Bushwick:

• A unique neighborhood located in northern Brooklyn, Bushwick has an industrial past but is quickly becoming known for inventive dining, bold arts and vibrant nightlife. Several subway lines run through Bushwick, including the L, M, J and Z, making a visit to the cutting-edge neighborhood an easy trip from any part of the City.
• Open since 2008, Roberta’s has an unassuming facade that fronts a popular Italian restaurant known for its artisanal Neapolitan pizza and multilevel garden. In additional to cleverly named pies with unusual toppings, Roberta’s has pasta, salumi and entrées such as cod with blood orange, poppy seed and cauliflower.
• Located in a renovated textile mill, the Shops at the Loom is home to roughly 20 businesses, where visitors will find everything from a salon and yoga center to cafés and boutiques.
• A former warehouse, 56 Bogart is now a major art center, comprising commercial galleries, artists’ studios and art spaces. Galleries include NURTUREart, the Bogart Salon and Momenta Art.

Fort Greene:

• Fort Greene is surrounded by Boreum Hill, Clinton Hill and Prospect Heights. Its cafés, bike shops, bakeries and family-owned stores along with its rich history all add vibrancy to this leafy brownstone neighborhood. Fort Greene is also home to Brooklyn’s first park, Fort Greene Park, and the neighborhood is conveniently accessible by the B, D, M, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4 and 5 subway lines.
• A destination for performing arts and cinema, BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) boasts more than 200 stage performances every year as well as BAMcafé Live performances and film screenings. Also in Fort Greene is the Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts, an intimate venue offering theatrical productions, music events and dance works.
• One of America’s first naval shipyards, Brooklyn Navy Yard now houses BLDG 92, an exhibition and visitors center. Celebrating the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s past, present and future, BLDG 92 hosts exhibits, public tours, educational programs, archival resources and more.

Williamsburg:

• Already a popular destination for New Yorkers and visitors alike, Williamsburg is a diverse neighborhood that has evolved quickly in the last 15 years. The many independently owned restaurants that line Williamsburg’s streets reflect the neighborhood’s diverse cultures. Close to the L, G, J, M and Z subway lines, Williamsburg is easily accessible from any part of New York City.
• Arrive in Williamsburg on NY Waterway’s East River Ferry. Costing only $4 a ride, the East River Ferry gives travelers the opportunity to admire New York City’s unparalleled skyline while traveling to Williamsburg. Upon arrival at the North Williamsburg terminal, visitors are a short walk from the center of the neighborhood and many exceptional retailers and restaurants.
• For a taste of both Williamsburg’s Latino and Italian communities, visit Brooklyn Cupcake. The local favorite serves up unconventional cupcake flavors like tiramisu, guava con queso and French toast. To sample more of Williamsburg’s Latino heritage, Bar Celona is an upscale bar and lounge that offers Latin-infused tapas and creative cocktails.
• The former chef of Brooklyn’s famed Diner has now joined Saltie, a nautical-themed bakery and sandwich shop that serves both innovative and traditional treats. Menu items include goat cheese and jam breakfast tarts and the Ship’s Biscuit, Saltie’s version of an egg and cheese sandwich, with fluffy eggs and creamy ricotta on homemade focaccia bread.
• A favorite among Williamsburg residents, La Superior is a no-frills Mexican restaurant, open for brunch, lunch and dinner. The inexpensive yet delicious restaurant serves up dishes ranging from beef tongue tacos to chicken enchiladas.
• A meat-lovers delight, Fette Sau serves barbecue by the pound piled on butcher paper and craft beer by the gallon. The notable Williamsburg restaurant smokes its meats in-house with their own dry rub and exclusively uses organic and/or family-farmed heritage breed animals. The menu changes daily but includes flank steak, ribs and pork belly.
• Although many people travel to Williamsburg to enjoy the cuisine, locals also frequent the neighborhood for its wide selection of unique fashion boutiques. Grand Street is home to Fresthetic, Live Astro and Rebelution Ink—all popular designers who are well known for their distinctive silk-screened T-shirts.

New York City is five cities in one: Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. The Neighborhood x Neighborhood initiative intends to spotlight the affordability and accessibility of neighborhoods across the five boroughs with a particular emphasis on areas that have seen new hotel development in recent years. Neighborhoods and featured highlights were chosen in collaboration with City Council officials, NYC Small Business Services, business development districts, community leaders and with consideration of NYC & Company’s more than 2,000 members.