(Long Island, NY) Assemblywoman Margaret Markey (D-Maspeth) announced yesterday that the State of New York has awarded a $100,000 grant to the Queens Tourism Council to help it promote the borough as a destination during the upcoming year. The funds, which come from the NYS Department of Economic Development’s “I Love NY” program, will largely go to spreading the word about local World’s Fair commemorative events over the next six months.
“Queens has a lot of terrific attractions for visitors and the anniversaries of the two World’s Fairs this year put an extra spotlight on some of the most important Queens cultural destinations,” said Assemblywoman Markey, who chairs the Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sports Committee of the NY State Assembly. “There are more than 43,000 tourism-related jobs in the borough, and the marketing programs of the Queens Tourism Council during this special World’s Fair anniversary year will also help boost our local economy.”
Assemblywoman Margaret Markey announced that the State of New York has awarded a $100,000 grant to the Queens Tourism Council to help it promote the borough as a destination during the upcoming year. Photo Credit: Queens Tourism Council.
This year marks the 75th and 50th anniversaries of the 1939 and 1964 World’s Fairs, which took place in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. NYC Parks is hosting a World’s Fair Festival on May 18, featuring memorabilia from the fairs, international food, music, dance, and more. Cultural institutions such as the Queens Botanical Garden, Queens Museum, Queens Theatre and New York Hall of Science are also planning special activities related to these anniversaries. QTC intends to use the grant to launch an aggressive, multi-media marketing campaign to promote the borough as a great place to stay, play, eat, take in culture, enjoy family fun and do business. All the events are posted at www.itsinqueens.com/worldsfair.
“The Queens Tourism Council does an outstanding job of providing tourists with the information they need to get the most out of their visits to the most diverse county in America,” Queens Borough President Melinda Katz said. “I am therefore thrilled to hear that Assemblymember Markey was able to secure a $100,000 allocation for the council in this year’s state budget. The money will fund a variety of council activities, including its promotion of World’s Fair Anniversary events organized by the World’s Fair Anniversary Committee, which Assemblymember Markey and I co-chair. I commend Assemblymember Markey for her dedication to securing funding for the council and her tireless efforts to encourage tourists to visit the Borough of Queens and all its wonderful attractions.”
“What can I say? Assemblywoman Markey comes through once again for the borough,” said Queens Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Seth Bornstein. “She actually created the Queens Tourism Council about 20 years ago, when she worked for then-Borough President Claire Shulman. The group currently consists of some 50 entities, including hotels, cultural organizations, restaurants and venues such as Citi Field, the USTA and Resorts World Casino NYC.”
“Queens has some of New York City’s best parks, including our only oceanfront beach, beautiful nature preserves and of course, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, or as it’s commonly known – the ‘World’s Park’” said Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski. “Thanks to this grant from Assemblymember Markey and the work of the Queens Tourism Council, Flushing Meadows will continue to attract visitors from around the world, as we celebrate the anniversary of its creation for the World’s Fair.”
“The Wyndham Garden LIC and roughly 100 other great hotels in this county are ready, willing and able to serve all tourists who come to celebrate the World’s Fair this year,” said Jeffrey Reich-Hale, a QTC executive board member who is also director of sales and marketing at Wyndham Garden LIC/Manhattan View. “There is so much to do in Queens, and there are so many top-notch hotels offering everything from luxury rooms to breathtaking views of Midtown Manhattan to great food.”
Assemblywoman Markey chairs the Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development Committee of the New York State Assembly. Her 30th Assembly District includes Maspeth, Woodside and parts of Long Island City, Middle Village, Astoria and Sunnyside.
QTC promotes the world’s most diverse county through organized efforts by local businesses, cultural institutions and government. It fosters economic opportunities, travel and tourism by letting visitors and residents know that — with great places to visit, eat, play and stay — It’s In Queens!
