Travel briefs 2/9/03

'Harlem Song' revue boosted tourism

NEW YORK -- Even though it struggled at the box office, the musical revue "Harlem Song" brought tourist dollars to Harlem, says the head of New York City's tourism bureau.

Cristyne Nicholas, president of NYC & Co., says upper Manhattan museums saw increased attendance in 2002 and restaurants such as Amy Ruth's and Sylvia's reported a surge in business that they attributed to "Harlem Song."

"Harlem Song," planned as a magnet to attract new audiences to Harlem's landmark Apollo Theater, was able to complete its scheduled run from August to December only after an additional $300,000 was raised to keep it from closing. Producers plan to bring it back as an annual holiday attraction.

Nicholas says the World Trade Center site, where some 2,800 people died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorism attacks, was the top tourist destination in lower Manhattan in 2002 but it did not inspire visitors to spend money there.

"The World Trade Center is not that type of positive visitor symbol that we're talking about," she said.

She said NYC & Co. wants to make sure that when a memorial to the victims of the terrorist attack is built, "with it will be cultural organizations, performing arts space and visitor attractions."

Phoenix officials plan underground train

PHOENIX -- Phoenix aviation officials have announced plans to build a $700 million underground passenger train at Sky Harbor International Airport.

The train system, part of which is expected to be running within five years, will take travelers from the airport's economy parking facilities to underground stations at its three terminals, according to officials.

By 2011, officials say, the system could take people to rental-car facilities on the west end of the airport and connect to Phoenix's proposed light rail system.