In a new global multi-year partnership, Mastercard has teamed up with NYC & Company. The company will also become the organization’s preferred payment technology and will be integrated into the global tourism promotional efforts of the group, according to an announcement.
At the same time, Mastercard said that its traveler and market insights will aid the business-to-business partners of NYC & Company in enhancing their communication of the city to people around the globe. Mastercard added that local businesses can benefit from the company’s support of the Tourism Ready efforts of NYC & Company. Through those initiatives, emerging businesses throughout the city are trained to better benefit from tourism. As it stands, the city saw a record 65.2 million visitors last year. Of that figure, 51.6 million visitors were from the U.S. and 13.5 million people visited from other countries.
“Experience lies at the heart of New York City, and we are thrilled to partner with NYC & Company to support one of the world’s most visited cities while also giving our cardholders priceless opportunities to experience it in new and meaningful ways,” Mastercard Executive Vice President of North America Marketing & Communications Cheryl Guerin said in the announcement. “Together with this expanded relationship, we can further our local economic development efforts to continue to ensure New York City remains a must-visit destination.”
This year, NYC & Company is forecasting that over 67 million people will visit the city amid large-scale openings and the city hosting WorldPride, which will mark the first time the event is held in the country. The tourism and travel sector of the city supports 391,000 employees – or 9 percent of payroll employment – and brings in roughly $66 billion in annual economic impact, per data from 2017.
In the announcement, NYC & Company President and CEO Fred Dixon said, “through this unprecedented marketing collaboration with Mastercard, we will reach more consumers directly to grow overnight stays and expand neighborhood exploration across the five boroughs while also supporting small business development, continued job growth and opportunities for New Yorkers.”