Visitors to New York City could find themselves exploring New York's most authentic, off-the-beaten path neighbourhoods, accompanied by some of the city's best-known celebrities, business leaders, and elected representatives under a program announced today by Big Apple Greeter called the "Celebrity Greeter for a Day Program."

The Celebrity Greeter for a Day Program will match well-known New Yorkers with visitors from around the globe who want to experience New York through the eyes of those who know it best-real New Yorkers. More than 300 New Yorkers serve as Greeters for a Day throughout the year, and well-known New Yorkers will now be among them. Celebrity greeters will be matched up with city visitors in the same way others are paired, and advance notice will not be given. (Sorry: One can't request a celebrity greeter!)

Former New York Giants superstar Tiki Barber and acting legend Dominic Chianese, who will serve as celebrity greeters, joined Big Apple Greeter representatives, elected officials, and New York business and tourism officials in announcing the program-and in calling on other prominent New Yorkers to step forward to become part of the initiative.

"New York is a magical city with as many facets as there are personalities," Mr. Chianese said. "My New York is unlike anyone else's. It is on Arthur Avenue and Theater Row and a thousand little places in between. It will bring me joy to share some of these special places with visitors from across the globe."

"New York is the greatest city to visit in the world and no one can roll out the red carpet like New Yorkers," Mr. Barber said. "Visitors to New York are not only important to our economy, they are our ambassadors to world. I am proud to be part of the Celebrity Greeter for a Day program and I am hopeful that others will step forward to participate."

"New York City welcomed 47 million visitors last year, generating $30 billion in spending and billions in tax revenue," said Big Apple Greeter Chairman Tom Lewis. "The Big Apple Greeter program has, for 18 years, paired visitors with genuine New Yorkers to a get a free, behind-the-scenes peek at what it's like to be a New Yorker. The Celebrity Greeter for a Day program will allow prominent New Yorkers to join in on the fun."

Two additional Greeters For a Day scheduled are David McManus, General Manager, Affinia Shelburne Hotel and Christopher Ward, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Big Apple Greeter founder Lynn Brooks added: "Big Apple Greeter is enormously grateful to Mr. Barber and Mr. Chianese for joining our greeter program. Our greeters give visitors from around the world the true flavor of New York."

Big Apple Greeter is a non-profit founded in 1992 with a mission to enhance New York City's worldwide image and enrich the New York experience by connecting visitors with knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteers. Big Apple Greeter's core program is its free-of-charge Greeter program which connects visitors with New Yorkers of all ages, conversant in over 20 languages. Greeters, who are all volunteers, accompany visitors on two-four-hour informal visits to New York City's neighbourhoods in all five boroughs. Learn more at BigAppleGreeter.org

---

2009