Crains New York - July 8, 2013 - (Page 26)

New York, family style Continued from Page 25 Big Apple a prime family destination. In 2012, a record 15.2 million family visitors came to the city, a 15% rise since 2009. Families now account for 29% of the total number of visitors to the city and contribute $15 billion in direct spending to New York’s economy, according to NYC & Company, the city’s marketing and tourism bureau. The growth in family travel is part of the city’s overall tourism push. Last year, the city received a record 52 million visitors, with the biggest influx coming from overseas. Many of these international travelers bring their children. ‘There is only one New York City,’ said one French mom shows like The Lion King and Wicked and how well they are doing and have comfort that there is an audience for family-friendly [material],” said Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of the Broadway League. Another lure for families, and perhaps the most important, is the growing number of affordable hotels in the city. Many of these developments are rising in the outer boroughs, where room rates are generally 30% less than in Manhattan. In Brooklyn, for example, which is experiencing the biggest boom, there are about 3,000 rooms, with another 1,000 slated to open in the next year. At least seven hotels have opened in that borough in the past two years, and about five new properties are scheduled for completion in the next 12 months,local tourism representatives say. newscom ‘American Dream’ Geraldine Darmon, a real estate executive in Paris, is coming to New York at the end of July with her husband and two kids, ages 8 and 12. She said all her friends talk about having visited or wanting to visit New York—she was just waiting until her children were old enough to do a lot of walking. Orlando’s Disney World has lost its cachet now that Disneyland Paris is just a short hop for Europeans. “We don’t need to go to the U.S. to visit Disney, but there is only one New York City,” Ms. Darmon said. “New York City alone represents the major part of the American Dream. We are all children of Hollywood,and most of the movies and TV shows take place in New York.” To tempt families around the nation and the world, NYC & Company began a marketing campaign four years ago, using a different character each year as the city’s family ambassador. This year, the campaign is built around Where’s Waldo?, with Waldo acting as a guide to New York’s family attractions on the city’s website. In addition, families can buy a pass with savings of up to 45% at museums and tourist sites and take advantage of more than 40 family-themed hotel packages. On Broadway, seven of the 25 musicals currently playing are geared for kids—including Matilda, Annie and Cinderella—with other productions such as Mamma Mia! an easy fit for families. Theater producers say family-friendly shows have a built-in benefit, as they can sell four or five tickets per group instead of two. “Investors see the impact of NY’S TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS Estimated annual visitors (ticketed attractions only) Metropolitan Museum of Art - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -6.3 million American Museum of Natural History - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -5 million National September 11 Memorial & Museum - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -5 million Statue of Liberty - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -3.8 million Empire State Building Observatory - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -3.5 million Museum of Modern Art - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -2.8 million Ellis Island - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -2 million Bronx Zoo - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -1.8 million Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -915,000 New York Botanical Garden - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -820,000 Sources: Each organization 26 | Crain’s New York Business | July 8, 2013 Many of these hotels are actively targeting families. Greenpoint’s allsuite Box House Hotel,for example, opened in 2011 and was created especially for families. The average rate for a suite is $269 a night, much less than a property of the same caliber in Manhattan. The hotel has complimentary vintage taxis available to take guests to the subway. Dana Schneider,the Box House’s director, said it is close to 100% occupancy and looking to expand. “We have a lot of European families and are starting to see more American families, too,” Mr. Schneider said. “Brooklyn has garnered more international attention, but now with Barclays [Center], it’s getting more known to Americans.” Variety of amenities Hotels in all boroughs are adding bells and whistles to attract the family market.The NU Hotel in downtown Brooklyn has launched a babygear rental program with Stork, a boutique in Crown Heights. Families can rent high-end strollers, high chairs, scooters and bikes during their stay so they don’t have to schlep such bulky items. In June, the Four Seasons Hotel in Manhattan started a partnership with upscale children’s events company Red Carpet Kids. For $4,000, “paparazzi”will meet a family at the hotel. The family will then get swept off to Red Carpet Kids’ Upper East Side townhouse, where they will walk the red carpet, star in a “feature film” with special effects and have dinner made by a private chef before returning to a suite at the hotel for the night. “We wanted to create something for the whole family to experience together,” said Eva Shure, co-owner of Red Carpet Kids. Though that offering appeals to wealthier visitors, many families who are coming to New York say they are looking for new experiences. Vernon Ross, a social-media consultant in St. Louis, brought his family to New York for the first time in June for their annual vacation because it offered tourist activities, good restaurants and boat trips. New York beat out Paris (too expensive), Myrtle Beach, S.C. (they went last year),and Disney (“Everyone is tired of Florida”). With a Groupon deal for the hotel, Mr. Ross shelled out less than $2,000 for airfare and accommodations. The family spent five days in the city and visited the 9/11 memorial and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, took the Staten Island Ferry and went to the American Girl doll store.They stood outside the Today show and had their photo taken with celebrity chef Bobby Flay, and even caught a real red-carpet scene in front of the Tony Awards. The trip was so successful that Mr. Ross and his wife are planning to return next year to see a number of Broadway shows. “Central Park was even better than what I’ve seen on TV,”Mr.Ross said. “And going to the Top of the Rock was almost too much for words.” Ⅲ SOURCE LUNCH: ANTHONY COSCIA by Andrew J. Hawkins Amtrak chief trains sights on funding A nthony Coscia has never ridden a long-distance train, but it’s on his list of things to do. The corporate attorney and former Port Authority chairman was elected chairman of the board at Amtrak this spring. One of his first public acts was to announce new “tunnel boxes”at the Hudson Rail Yards, preserving the right-of-way for the future Gateway tunnel. But he warned that the megaproject, which aims to ease congestion under the Hudson River, needs more cash, both from private investors and the federal government. Is it frustrating trying to wring funding out of a dysfunctional Congress? number of trains you can move in and out of Penn Station. Anytime there’s any kind of problem, it has a ripple effect that’s pretty significant for even minor problems. How is that affecting Penn Station? There’s no question the tunnels are at capacity. Penn Station can’t accommodate future growth. … Penn Station represents a challenge,but it also represents a great opportunity. There’s a right mix to how [Madison Square] Garden should be dealt with, [whether it should be converted to] residential and offices and other uses. And it can all be done in what would be the ultimate transitoriented development project in the world. We don’t spend a whole lot of time worrying about larger political issues outside our control. If we make the Should Madison Square Garden be company as strong as possible, and if moved? we show results and improvements on People get hung up on where should the Garden go. And that’s what we do, people do give one piece of the equation. us resources,like the tunnel But the larger objective box. If we invest it wisely, if should be to improve transwe build projects that are portation capacity, but to on time and on budget, do it in a way that actually we’re likely to create a level OSTERIA DEL makes the Garden a better of confidence in us that we CIRCO 1345 Sixth Ave. location or makes whatevthink will generate a will(212) 265-3636 er else is located there a betingness to provide addiwww.circonyc.com ter location. What we’re tional resources so that we AMBIENCE: talking about doing with continue to build on that. Circus-themed Penn Station and the There’s no question Italian restaurant Gateway program and the that Amtrak has way unwith soaring ceilings and a Northeast Corridor is so derinvested in terms of shaded sidewalk much bigger than anywhat it should do. Even on café. body’s building. just state-of-good-repair WHAT THEY ATE: programs that allow us to Ⅲ Grilled salmon How do you convince adequately service tunnels and sautéed Republicans who don’t believe and bridges and things spinach in public subsidies for Amtrak? throughout our system,we Ⅲ Fresh spring I can’t comment on what haven’t spent near the pea tortelli, they think. It’s up to us to amount of money that we hazelnut crumble, make the case that’s comshould.Those are going to mint pea salad, crispy shallots pelling enough to convince translate into trains having people. to operate slower. TOTAL: $63, including tip So we have this race Sen. Frank Lautenberg was a against the clock, which is to say, let’s try to make the business as huge Amtrak supporter. How will his strong as possible so we can convince death affect the company? all those involved that more resources He was a big supporter of passenger rail before it was fashionable.We now should be put into passenger rail. have a lot of people in Congress who What does being “at capacity” mean? are willing to pick up where he left off. Because there’s only limited capacity He built a huge reservoir of support, under the Hudson River. Regardless and I think those people will honor of how many trains you bring into his legacy by moving it forward. New York, there’s a limited number that can go in at any given time. You What do you like most about trains? reach capacity when those trains get Seeing places you don’t normally see to Secaucus and have to stop because when driving a car or flying in an airthey have to wait for the train that’s plane. And it kind of gives you a feel in front of them. That limits the for where you are. Ⅲ WHERE THEY DINED INSIDE TIP: Bright-blue circus rings, statues of both monkeys and dancing clowns can leaven even the most serious business lunch. http://www.circonyc.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Crains New York - July 8, 2013

Crains New York - July 8, 2013
IN THE MARKETS
BUSINESS PEOPLE
SMALL BUSINESS
INSIDER
REAL ESTATE DEALS
OPINION
GREG DAVID
NICOLE GLAROS
IN THE BOROUGHS
TOURISM REPORT
CLASSIFIEDS
FOR THE RECORD
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
SOURCE LUNCH
OUT AND ABOUT
SNAPS

Crains New York - July 8, 2013