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The Tourism and Hospitality Industry has been an economic development tool worldwide. Many countries, cities, and towns have used tourism and hospitality as tools to create employment, career, and business opportunities. In America, many areas rely on tourism as their location’s main economic development engine.
I first learned about the benefits of tourism and hospitality from the Honorable Percy E. Sutton. Mr. Sutton was a visionary who believed that New York City, New York State, and his beloved Harlem could use the Tourism and Hospitality Industry to address many of the financial challenges the city and state faced in 1974.
Mr. Sutton was the architect of two major New York City tourism-related projects that are still going strong: the five-borough New York City marathon in 1976 and HARLEM DAY in 1974. The New York Marathon is the largest annual tourism and hospitality event that takes place in New York. HARLEM DAY just celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Post-COVID, Harlem Tourism and Hospitality Industry is coming back strong. The opening of the Harlem Renaissance Marriott has become an important factor in developing employment, career, and business opportunities with the assistance of the Harlem Tourism Board.
HTB assisted many Harlem residents in obtaining positions at the hotel. Five Star Security, a locally based security firm and HTB corporate member, has the security contract for the hotel. They provide training and employment opportunities for many Harlem residents.
HTB member Kevin Davis, CEO and founder of Klub Cart Tours {www.klubcarttours.com} , a Harlem-based tour company that has the first modified electric golf cart tour vehicles in New York. HTB helped the tour company negotiate with the Harlem Hotel to have a tourism desk in the lobby to book tours for hotel guests and others interested in a unique, fun way to tour the greater Harlem area and Mid-Town Manhattan.
HTB submitted a proposal to City Councilman Yusef Salaam that focused on developing training programs for tour guides and drivers. HTB is also asking for support to provide stipends to select students who will work under the direction of Silicon Harlem {www.siliconharlem.com] and HTB to upgrade and maintain the HTB website www.goharlem.org. Goharlem.org will become an economic development tool for the Harlem Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
As a one-stop portal for Harlem tourism-related businesses, the HTB site will become a collaborative marketing platform. Local, national, and international tourists will be the targeted market.
Several new restaurants are opening in Harlem. HTB was a co-sponsor for a soft opening for Native Restaurant, one of Brooklyn’s most popular restaurants, which will be opening this fall on the second floor of the Magic Johnson Theater. HTB will help promote the restaurant’s grand opening.
HTB is hosting a networking mixer to celebrate Global Champagne Day at the new location of the Comedy in Harlem Club, 750 St. Nicholas Avenue, on October 25, 2024. Tickets are still available on Eventbrite, but you’d better hurry. HTB’s event is on the official event list for Global Champagne Day. This event will provide support for Nickey Sunshine, HTB member and co-owner of the comedy club. Speaking of comedy, my good friend Phyllis Yvonne Stickney will be at the Comedy in Harlem Club {www.comedyinharlem.com} on Saturday, October 19.
