Tourist attractions and entertainment (1)

Almost any place can become a tourist destination as long as it is different from the place where the traveler usually lives. Paris may not be a tourist attraction to a Parisian, but for a New Yorker it may have many charms. People travel for any number of reasons, and there are numerous attractions that appeal to a wide variety of tastes.

In addition to being major business centers, the largest cities offer attractions and entertainment for all kinds of people. Cultural events occur frequently, including theatrical and operatic performances, concerts, ballet, and art exhibitions. At the opposite end of the scale, there is a great variety of nightlife in urban centers to choose from, and there is also a wide selection of restaurants. Shop­ping is an attraction for many visitors, whether in the great depart­ment stores of New York and Tokyo or in the boutiques of Paris and London. The big cities also offer a unique atmosphere and history. The flower vendors and cable cars of San Francisco are part of the unusual atmosphere of that city. And in Paris, the Louvre is not only a museum, but also the scene of important events in French history. One of the advantages of the big cities is their ability to absorb large numbers of tourists. These cities have an existing infrastructure that is capable of caring for the needs of millions of people; and many of the attractions that tourists visit have been developed primarily for the benefit of the inhabitants. Therefore, tourism is an economic plus for many big cities because it increases income from existing facilities, both public and private. The number of hotel rooms in New York— approximately 100000 in 1975—is a good indica­tion of just how important tourism can be in the life of a city. The large cities do not have a monopoly on archi­tectural or historical monuments. Smaller towns and rural areas throughout the world have attractions of this kind that tourists visit. One excellent example is the valley of the Loire River in France with its chateaux from the Renaissance period. Another area, remote and difficult to reach, is Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas in Peru.

In spite of the difficulty of access, it is visited by more and more tourists every year. Somewhat different, but within the same general category, is the restored colonial town of Williamsburg, Virginia, where not only Americans but many tourists from abroad get a care­fully reconstructed glimpse of 18th Century American life.

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JUMEIRAH ESSEX HOUSE IN CENTRAL PARK

The Jumeirah Essex House is located in New York City, N.Y., between Central Park and Broadway. The Central Park Zoo is less than six blocks from the hotel. The Museum of Modem Art and Rockefeller Center are within nine blocks. The Broadway theater district is five blocks from this Midtown Manhattan hotel. Times Square is less than one mile away.

The Jumeirah Essex House offers two dining options and one lounge. The hotel's restaurant, Alain Ducasse at the Essex House, serves a seasonal menu with a sommelier available to suggest wine mixtures. Cafe Botanica serves American cuisine and features views of Central Park. The Journey's Lounge is a 1930s themed space with a fireplace, leather sofas and mahogany paneling on the walls. The lounge offers beverages and light fare. Complimentary newspapers are available in the lobby. The hotel offers business services and high-speed Internet access. Meeting and event space is provided. The hotel's Grand Salon accommodates up to 550 people. The front desk is open 24 hours daily and offers safe-deposit boxes for guest use. The on-site fitness center includes cardiovascular and weight training equipment. Personal trainers are available. The hotel's spa offers massage treatments, steam baths and saunas. This New York City hotel offers on-site shopping. The 39-storied hotel has a rooftop sign with its name in red letters. Guestrooms at the Jumeirah Essex House are equipped with cable television and high-speed Internet access. Marble bathrooms feature makeup mirrors and bathrobes. Guestrooms at this New York City hotel include coffeemakers and minibars. Complimentary newspapers are delivered to the guestrooms Mondays through Fridays. In-room safes are provided.

The Jumeirah Essex House is across the street from the 843-acre Central Park which offers live entertainment and horse- drawn carriage rides. The hotel is currently undergoing renovations to its lobby.

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