A different type of diversity is a selling point for Pam Upton of Blue Grass Tours. The Lexington, Kentucky-based company takes seven or eight student groups to the Big Apple every year, and it’s always an eye-opening experience.
“The culture and the magnitude of the city are so different than what they’re exposed to in Kentucky,” Upton says. “You can walk a block and go from one cultural experience to a totally different one. It changes in an instant—like no other city.”
The two operators are of the same mind regarding partners in the city.
“NYC & Company is always helpful if we have a question about a particular restaurant or the safety of an area,” Upton says. They’re great to work with.”
Calderazzo extends that praise even wider. “The tourism community is very open to creating out-of-the-box experiences,” he says. “Contrary to the image of New Yorkers being cold, they are amazingly receptive to working with us. That’s another component that makes this city so wonderful for tours.”
Collette’s Jim Edwards describes a 1964 trip to New York City by the company’s then-new owner, Dan Sullivan, as a game-changer for the Pawtucket, Rhode Island-based tour operator.
“Dan took his family to the New York World’s Fair of 1964, and it proved to be a turning point for the company,” says Edwards, vice president of the century-old company. “He could see that more people than ever wanted to travel, and it was the perfect time to introduce the concept of guided touring.”
Collette continues to packages the city—“Our NYC programs are up 27 percent in 2018!” Edwards says—and many of the tours incorporate a powerful piece of history.
“At Ellis Island, our guests step back in time to learn the personal stories of the immigration boom of 1892–1924, when 12 million people passed through this station on their journey to America.”
Calderazzo holds that a journey to New York City is matchless.
“You can walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, enjoy Brooklyn pizza and Coney Island hot dog, take a carriage ride in Central Park, and see a Broadway show all in one day,” he says. “Really, everything is here, and it’s all world-class.”
For more information, email John A. Marshall of NYC & Company or visit nycgo.com.
Wheels and Hulls
Groups visiting New York City can take in the sights via bus, boat or bike, and these NTA-member companies can get them on board.
Big Bus Tours
Gisel Vidals
bigbustours.com
Blazing Saddles Bike Rental & Tours
Lauren Sailor
blazingsaddles.com
“We can get you rolling, whether you want to pedal together on a tandem bike, get a baby seat or trailer for the little ones, or go on your own bicycle. We also have guided tours for folks who want more history, information and insider tips.”
Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises/New York Water Taxi
Taylor Spoelstra
circleline42.com
Entertainment Cruises
Liz Gilbert
entertainmentcruises.com
“Bateaux New York now offers a luxury sightseeing cruise with a three-course, plated lunch, and we can give NTA tour operators a very special rate for their groups.”
Gray Line New York/CitySightseeing NY Cruises
Elaine Kellogg
newyorksightseeing.com
“In a city with endless options, where anything can happen, Gray Line CitySightseeing New York provides expert sightseeing and transportation logistics. And we’ve been doing it since 1926.”
Hornblower Cruises & Events
Estelle Miller
hornblower.com
The RIDE
Renee Wilson
experiencetheride.com
“The RIDE is the only sightseeing bus tour that includes live street entertainment and virtual reality. We’re truly an ‘only in New York’ experience.”
Top photo by Julienne Schaer
