Press Release

PHILADELPHIA, THE “NEXT GREAT CITY,” IS READY FOR THE “NEXT GREAT NEW YEAR,” BUT FINDING A HOTEL ROOM WILL TAKE PERSISTENCE
City’s Tourism Office Offers Tips For Sleeping Over In Philly Over New Year’s Weekend

PHILADELPHIA, December 27, 2005 -Nobody celebrates the New Year like Philadelphia. Just ask the thousands of people watching the Mummers strut up Broad Street on the first day of every year. Thanks in part to this annual parade, Center City hotels are reporting that they’re expecting a near sell-out for New Year’s Eve. The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) offers these five tips for visitors who want to enjoy the parade, the New Year’s Eve fireworks display on Penn’s Landing, fabulous restaurant deals or the array of musical performances taking place throughout the weekend:

Fireworks on New Year's Eve

Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC

1. Search the Internet often. Hotels routinely update their room inventory on Web sites like gophila.com. If a room isn’t available the first time, don’t be discouraged. Be sure to check the hotels’ own Web sites and other travel sites as well.
2. Call the hotel’s local number. The reservation department located within the hotel has the most up-to-date information on room availability from last-minute cancellations.
3. Sleep over on Friday or Sunday nights. There are more Philadelphia hotel rooms available on Friday, December 30, 2005 and Sunday, January 1, 2006 than on New Year’s Eve. At some hotels, guests can even save money by staying on Friday night or checking in on New Year’s Day in time for the Mummer’s Parade.
4. Make it a weekend. Some hotels are asking for two-night or more minimum stay, so consider staying the entire weekend.
5. Stay near the airport. Hotels located near the Philadelphia International Airport are within a 15-minute drive from Center City and near SEPTA’s R1 Airport Line.

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) builds the region’s economy and image through destination marketing to increase the number of visitors, the number of nights they stay and the number of things they do in the five-county region. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676.

Note to Editors: For photos of Greater Philadelphia, visit our Photo Gallery.

CONTACT:

Jeff Guaracino, GPTMC
(215) 599-2290, jeff@gptmc.com

Anthony Malerba, GPTMC
(215) 599-2291, anthony@gptmc.com