Long Island and New York City Tourism Organizations Team Up With the Long Island Rail Road to Forge Marketing Collaboration

LONG ISLAND, NY (January 13, 2020) – Discover Long Island, NYC & Company and the Long Island Rail Road are joining forces by way of a formal collaboration to promote each other’s respective organizations through dedicated assets across Long Island and the five boroughs.

The collaboration, now in its second year, is a mutually beneficial promotional asset barter agreement, where each organization contributes owned assets in order to gain exposure in additional target markets.  Traded assets include bus shelters and digital kiosks in all five boroughs, digital assets, platforms, print advertising, trade show opportunities, and billboard space on platforms and in stations, garnering over 55 million in impressions to date.

New York City and Long Island are the top two destination drivers for New York State, comprising of nearly 75% of all state-wide traveler spending in 2018, according to a recent report by Tourism Economics. Through this alliance with the Long Island Rail Road, the two destinations aim to highlight proximity and connectivity available to the two regions, drawing more interest and overall awareness to both locals and visitors.

“This first-time collaboration with New York City and the Long Island Rail Road is transformative for our region,” said Kristen Jarnagin, President & CEO of Discover Long Island. “Not only does this strategic partnership provide us with the opportunity to promote a six-figure campaign in our target market at no cost, but it further showcases Long Island and New York City as a perfect combined destination with easy connectivity through the Long Island Rail Road. This is an immeasurable opportunity and alignment for our destination and the awareness this campaign has garnered thus far only amplifies the power of collaboration.”

“We are pleased to collaborate with Discover Long Island and the Long Island Rail Road on this worthwhile promotional initiative, which will ensure more visitors from Long Island discover New York City’s unparalleled energy, diversity and appeal,” said NYC & Company president and CEO Fred Dixon. “Winter is an attractive time to enjoy the five boroughs and we hope more visitors will take advantage of NYC & Company’s value-driven “NYC Winter Outing” program. Through this innovative partnership, we will continue to support the efforts to stimulate more visitation from NYC to Long Island as well.”

"The Long Island Rail Road is undoubtedly the best way to travel and see all that our region has to offer from Manhattan to Montauk, across both the north and south shores," LIRR President Phil Eng said. "We are excited to continue this partnership that will helps us reach residents and tourists alike and promote all the beautiful destinations across our home territory."

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ABOUT DISCOVER LONG ISLAND:

Discover Long Island is the region’s official destination marketing and management organization charged with furthering the $6.1 billion tourism economy. The organization contributes to the economic development and quality of life on Long Island by promoting the region as a world-class destination for visitors, meetings and conventions, trade shows, sporting events and related activities. For more information, please call 631-951-3900 or visit DiscoverLongIsland.com.

ABOUT NYC & COMPANY: NYC & Company is the official destination marketing organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For the official source on all there is to see and do in New York City, go to nycgo.com.

ABOUT LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD:

The Long Island Rail Road is the busiest commuter railroad in North America, stretching from Montauk to Penn Station in Manhattan, approximately 120 miles away, carrying an average of 316,000 customers each weekday on 735 daily trains. A subsidiary of New York State's Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Long Island Rail Road marked its 185th Anniversary in 2019. The LIRR has been an essential component of the region's infrastructure, leading to the development of Long Island communities and providing a gateway to the economic growth of the region, taking over 91 million customers in 2019 to and from jobs, homes, schools, sporting events, concerts, shows, beaches and other attractions in the area.

Media Contacts:

Jamie Claudio Vice President, Marketing & SalesDiscover Long Island 631-951-3900jclaudio@DiscoverLongIsland.com Christopher Heywood

Senior Vice President, Global Communications

NYC & Company

212-484-5458

cheywood@nycgo.com

Meredith Daniels Media Liaison Metropolitan Transportation Authority 212-878-7440medaniels@mtahq.org