Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles New York City's official family Ambassadors

New York City Welcomed Approximately 17.5 Million Family Visitors in 2015,
Increased by a Third Since the Launch of the Family Ambassador Program in 2009
In Time for Summer Travel, the First Phase of the Campaign Will Encourage Summer Travel to New York City.

NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organization, together with Nickelodeon, announced the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are the newest Official NYC Family Ambassadors—part of a yearlong campaign to highlight New York City as a family-friendly destination. In 2015 New York City welcomed an estimated17.5million family visitors, a nearly two percent projected increase over 2014, and family travel to NYC is expected to continue to grow in 2016 to reach approximately 17.7 million family visitors. Since the launch of the Family Ambassador program in 2009, family visitation to New York City has grown by 32.6 percent and is currently 30 percent of total visitation to New York City. For kid-friendly NYC travel materials, guides and itineraries, visit nycgo.com/family.

“Last year we saw a record number of visitors here in New York City thanks to our various attractions and the art and entertainment that can be found around every corner of every street in every borough. Most importantly, however, are the 17.5 million family visitors who came to this city to expose their children and relatives to the diverse culture this City offers. Furthermore, the city’s public spaces and parks make it an ideal place for families to bond and strengthen their relationships. I invite all families to New York so that we can share with you all we have to offer,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“We’re excited to enlist the help of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, four dynamic and adventurous New Yorkers, to welcome family travelers to NYC,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company. “Known by visitors from around the world, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are the perfect guides to help families discover the vibrancy and excitement throughout the five boroughs.”

Families visiting NYC during the summer can take advantage of seasonal events including SummerStage Kids, Big Apple Barbecue Block Party, Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks, the US Open Tennis Championships and more. In addition, free and low-cost outdoor activities in NYC’s parks, along NYC’s waterfronts and beyond add to the attractiveness of visiting NYC during the summer.

“As native New Yorkers, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are the perfect choice to encourage visitors from around the globe to find their own adventures in the city that never sleeps,” said Pam Kaufman, ChiefMarketing Officer and Presidentof Consumer Products, Nickelodeon.“We are proud to continue our longstanding partnership with NYC & Company, which leverages our beloved characters to showcase the best of what New York City has to offer for kids and families.”

Currently in its fourth season, Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is seen in over 170 countries and territories and translated in 50+ languages. The series follows four mutant turtles—Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo—trained in the art of ninjutsu by their mutant rat sensei, Master Splinter, who teaches them to battle evil from the New York City sewers.The series’ executive producers are CiroNieli and Brandon Auman, and it is created at Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, California. Additionally, this summer the turtles will once again defend the streets of New York City in Paramount Pictures’ highly anticipated theatrical movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, which arrives in theaters June 3.

The Official NYC Family Ambassador campaign will be promoted through out-of-home media in the five boroughs, Boston, Chicago, and 23 shopping malls in America; social media engagement using the hashtag #nycgofamily; TV commercials running in NYC taxicabs; and additional activations throughout the year.

The Family Ambassador program was created in 2009 to help position New York City as a welcoming family-friendly destination, encourage families to visit year-round and invite those who have already visited New York City to return and enjoy all of the new attractions the City has to offer. The Teenage Mutant Nina Turtles are the eighth Family Ambassador after Dora and Friends in 2015, Curious George in 2014,Where’s Waldo? in 2013, The Muppets in 2012, The Smurfs in 2011, Dora the Explorer in 2010 and Sesame Street in 2009.