North America
NYC leaps into LGBT limelight
With New York City hosting WorldPride for the first time next June, 2019 has been billed as a ‘monumental’ year for its tourism industry – Madeleine Barber looks at the destination’s plans and predictions
I
n 2019, New York is flying the rainbow flag for LGBTQ travellers all around the globe as it hosts WorldPride for 30 days through the month of June. It will be the first time the event has been held in the United States and the event will embrace a range of celebratory activities taking place across the city, from rallies and parties to educational activities and lectures.
New York is viewed by many as the birthplace of the gay rights movement as a result of the 1969 Stonewall uprising, in which protests and clashes with the police followed a raid at the Stonewall Inn, in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. The demonstrations kickstarted the fight for LGBTQ liberation, so New York is set to celebrate the event’s 50th anniversary next year. “With an abundance of blockbuster openings across New York City and the historic 50th anniversary of Stonewall, 2019 will truly be a monumental year,” said Fred Dixon, NYC & Company president and chief executive. “We encourage travellers to plan ahead now and put New York City on their must-visit list for next year.” By the end of 2018, the city is expecting to have welcomed 65.1 million visitors – 51.4 million domestic and 13.7 million international – which will represent a 3.7% increase on last year’s record-breaking figures. This steady tourism growth is spurring on the launch of a host of new hotels, most in time for WorldPride, when three million visitors are predicted to descend on the city – that’s one million more people than the number that travelled to the destination for Pride last year.
56 05.11.2018
WorldPride 2019 in New York will coincide with the 50-year anniversary of the Stonewall uprising
DIARY DATES: WORLDPRIDE 2019
■ Family Movie Night Friday, June 21
This celebration for all types of families brings alfresco fi lms to the city that never sleeps.
■ Human Rights Conference June 24-25
Artists, educators, journalists, policymakers, students, and others engaged in LGBTQIA+ human rights will gather to take part in everything from performances to presentations, politics to policies, and activists to academics.
■ Opening Ceremony Wednesday, June 26 Details of this kick-off celebration are yet to be confi rmed but the free event promises a big buzz.
■ Rally: Stonewall 50 Commemoration Friday, June 28
WorldPride is bringing the Rally back into the streets so that community activists, organisers and politicians can take a stand in the Big Apple.
■ Youth Pride Saturday, June 29
New York City will be awash with celebratory events in the coming year
Hot hotels
With the number of arrivals on the rise, hotel companies must raise their game to meet the growing demand for accommodation. Six Senses will launch its first property in the USA in 2019, which is slated to be taking customer bookings in time for WorldPride in June. It will be located in New York’s Chelsea neighbourhood and become the brand’s urban flagship.
The long-awaited TWA Hotel at JFK airport is also due to open in early 2019. It will involve the restoration of the Eero Saarinen landmark 1962 Flight Center, which will be turned into a 512-room hotel with six restaurants, eight bars, a
A raid on the Stonewall Inn in 1969 marked a vital turning point for LGBT rights
10,000sqft observation deck with pool, and a museum devoted to the Jet Age, TWA and the mid-century modern design movement. High-end gym chain Equinox is branching out into the luxury hotel market with its first opening in New York City’s vibrant new district, Hudson Yards. The fitness hotel will be part of a $25 billion real estate development on Manhattan’s west side, featuring Yabu Pushelberg interiors and both indoor and outdoor pools. When it’s complete, Hudson Yards will also be home to a collection of restaurants curated by chef Thomas Keller, The Shed, a centre for artistic invention, and 14 acres of open public space.
A place for young people to celebrate WorldPride with their friends, this will incorporate interactive experiences, games and entertainment.
■ NYC Pride March Sunday, June 30 Since the fi rst march in 1970, this has become an annual civil rights demonstration that’s broadened to include recognition of the fi ght against Aids and to remember those lost to illness, violence and neglect.
■ Femme Fatale Sunday, June 30 The offi cial rooftop party for women will see more than 1,000 women come together to eat, drink, dance and mingle.
■ NYC & Company is exhibiting on stand NA300
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92
