NYC & COMPANY ENCOURAGES DINERS TO BOOK RESERVATIONS STARTING TODAY FOR LARGEST NYC RESTAURANT WEEK

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NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organization, encourages diners to book now for NYC Restaurant Week Winter 2016 at one of the 372 participating restaurants throughout the City’s five boroughs from January 18 through February 5. For menus, photos and reservations, visit nycgo.com/restaurantweek.

“With more participating restaurants than ever, the success of NYC Restaurant Week over the years is in the numbers,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company. “As the program continues to grow, attracting new and noteworthy restaurants in all five boroughs, we are thrilled to welcome diners to experience the City’s best cuisine at a more affordable price.”

NYC Restaurant Week Winter 2016 by the numbers:

3 course prix-fixe lunches for $25*
3 course prix-fixe dinners for $38*
Record-setting 372 participating restaurants
34 cuisines
41 new restaurants and 331 returning restaurants
5 boroughs, 41 neighborhoods
19 days (January 18–February 5)
More than 25,000 posts on Instagram using #NYCRestaurantWeek

*(excluding beverages, gratuities and taxes)

This winter’s iteration, the largest NYC Restaurant Week ever, features 41 new participants: ABC Cocina, ABC Kitchen, Adalya, Almayass, Bocca Di Bacco Theater District, Bocelli Ristorante, Brioso Ristorante, Carol’s Cafe, Cherche Midi, Claudette, Da Noi in downtown Staten Island and in Midtown Manhattan, Distilled, Dos Caminos Times Square, The Fillmore Room, French Louie, Hanjan, Hearth, Khe-Yo, La Sirene, London Lennie’s, Madiba Brooklyn, Mamo Restaurant, Manducatis Rustica, Mario’s Restaurant, MP Taverna in Astoria and Brooklyn, Noreetuh, Ocean Prime, Osteria Morini, Paul’s on Times Square, Pig and Khao, Rosa Mexicano in Tribeca, Sessanta Ristorante, Sutton Inn, Tao Downtown, Tasca Chino, Tommy Bahama, Trattoria L’Incontro, Vivaldi and Zenkichi.

The first dining program of its kind, NYC Restaurant Week welcomes back notable restaurants such as the following longstanding participants: ‘21’ Club, Café Boulud, The Cecil, Craftbar, ilili, Nobu, Red Cat, The Sea Grill and Tribeca Grill.

“New York City’s restaurant community is dynamic, with great food being served in every borough, representing virtually every international cuisine,” said Tracy Nieporent, chairman of NYC & Company’s Restaurant Committee. “Dining is important to New Yorkers and our guests, and NYC Restaurant Week Winter 2016 inspires us to offer the quality, variety, and hospitality that makes New York City the restaurant capital of the world.”

NYC Restaurant Week is featured as part of Unlock NYC, a new year-round seasonal promotion, with the first iteration currently highlighting winter travel to NYC with the new tagline, “Find a Winter Less Ordinary.” During NYC Restaurant Week, the Unlock NYC site, nycgo.com/unlock, will feature editorial content highlighting NYC Restaurant Week insights and tips.

Returning this winter is an exclusive offer for American Express® Card Members. Card Members can enroll any eligible American Express Card, use their Card to spend $25 or more at any participating restaurant and get a $5 statement credit up to four times. To learn more and enroll in this offer with an eligible American Express Card, visit americanexpress.com/nycrestaurantweek. Terms apply.

LAS VEGAS BREAKS TOURISM RECORD WITH MORE THAN 42 MILLION VISITORS IN 2015

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Las Vegas has continued its historic visitation growth, setting another new record by surpassing 42 million visitors for the first time. This breaks last year’s record of 41.1 million, which was the first time the destination had ever topped 40 million.

“Las Vegas couldn’t have reached this achievement without the support of our resort partners and the dedicated workers who make the Las Vegas experience what it is,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, president/CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). “Whether a first-time visitor or a returning Las Vegas enthusiast, the destination continues to astonish travellers from all over the world with luxury resort experiences, world-class dining and exciting entertainment.”

Boosted by several new non-stop flights, increased convention attendance throughout the year, and several other factors, Las Vegas will surpass 42 million visitors by the end of the year. The previous record was set in 2014 with 41.1 million visitors. Official visitation numbers will be announced in early 2016.

Tourism is the lifeblood of the Southern Nevada economy and the Las Vegas valley generating more than $50 billion (£33.7 billion) annually and supporting 366,000 local jobs, which represents 43 percent of employment within Clark County.

For more information, please visit: www.lasvegas.com

MAINE MAKES FODOR’S TRAVEL GO LIST OF BEST DESTINATIONS TO VISIT IN 2016

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The Maine Office of Tourism recently announced that Maine was chosen as one of 26 destinations on Fodor’s Travel 2016 Go List. The annual Go List highlights 26 can’t-miss destinations around the world that every traveler should have on their radar when planning trips in the coming year.

“Maine has an allure all its own. It fosters a special connection with those who have visited and those who live and work here,” said Carolann Ouellette, director of the Maine Office of Tourism.

Ouellette added, “The word is getting out about what makes Maine special, from the beauty of our diverse landscape and coastline, with access to amazing outdoor adventure experiences, to the explosive growth of our “locavore” food and beverage scene, our friendly people, and the quality of Maine’s lodging and cultural offerings.”

According to Fodor’s, the Go List destinations span six continents and 20 countries, and are chosen by the experts at Fodor’s Travel who log countless miles traveling across the globe each year. The 2016 list incorporates everything from emerging destinations and new hotspots to noteworthy events and great travel values around the world.

“With so many destinations worth visiting it can be overwhelming for travelers to decide where they should go next,” said Arabella Bowen, editor in chief of Fodor’s Travel. “Our Go List helps guide travelers when they are making that decision.”

View the complete Fodor’s Go List and destination guides at www.fodors.com/go-list-2016.

Learn more about Maine at visitmaine.com