Where’s Wally? Take a good look at the picture – he’s hiding in New York after becoming the city’s fifth family ambassador. For a year, the iconic world traveller will be encouraging families to visit the Big Apple by highlighting the best attractions, museums, galleries, parks, hotels and lots more.
George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company, said: “Wally – or Waldo, as we know him in the United States – has been travelling and exploring cities across the world for more than 25 years, and we are extremely pleased to have him as our new ambassador. With immeasurable international and domestic recognition, Wally will enable us to reach and influence people of all ages, encouraging them to bring their families to the city this year.”
Nicole Blake, for the Wally brand, said: “With its five boroughs of limitless sites, cultural institutions and landmarks, NYC provides the ideal backdrop for people of all ages to continue their search for Wally.”
Throughout the year on www.nycgo.com/waldo you will find ideas of things to see and do. Wally is starting out by guiding people to family-friendly summer destinations across the five boroughs including the Hudson River Skatepark on Pier 62, 14 miles of beaches, the Friedsam Memorial Carousel in Central Park, Pesso’s Homemade Italian Ices in Queens, Best Pizza in Brooklyn, the Audubon Center in Prospect Park, the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and more.
There’s also a limited-edition Where’s Wally? NYC attraction pass with savings of up to 45 per cent on tickets to top museums, tours and attractions across the city. <http://www.smartdestinations.com/new-york-attractions-and-tours/_d_Nyc-p1.html?pass=Nyc_Prod_Exp>
More than 40 family-friendly and summer-themed hotel offers will be included in the programme with incentives such as free picnics in the park, gift bags, free breakfast and attraction passes. Participating hotels include the Affinia Manhattan, InterContinental New York Times Square, Millenium Hilton, New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge and the Sheraton New York Times Square. Offers available until September 2 on www.nycgo.com/waldo.
Where’s Wally? is one of the most recognisable characters in the world with more than 59 million books sold in over 30 countries. As an ambassador, he follows The Muppets, The Smurfs, Dora the Explorer and Sesame Street.
For more details, visit www.nycgo.com/waldo
Pictures: Top, Gus Powell/NYC & Company/Classic Media. Below (have you found Wally?) Julienne Schaer /NYC & Company/Classic Media.
