Follow Us
Member Login

Blog

  1. SPOTLIGHT ON GANYC GUIDE: ENRICO GIOLO

    Introducing GANYC guide Enrico Giolo

    Enricogiolo7@gmail.com

    347-343-1355

    How long have you been a tour guide?

    4 years.

    What time of year would you consider your busy season?

    Summer/fall.

    What drove you to become a tour guide? What's your story?

    I have always worked in the tourism field.


    What is the most gratifying part of your work? 

    The real appreciations from the clients.

    How long have you been a GANYC member?

    6 months.

    What types of tours do you offer? 

    Most of them are by bus but I love walking tours.

    What's your advice or Tour Guide tip you love to share to people visiting New York?

    Talk with people even if you don't speak English , New Yorkers are great!

     

     

  2. Urgent: Historic United Palace Theater Of Washington Heights endangered

    Posted by ray.segal on Wed, 02/01/2017 - 8:20pm
    Proscenium and Stage United Palace Theater

    Dear Members of GANYC:  I received the notice below from the Municipal Arts Society (MAS) tonight regarding the fate of  The United Palace Theater in Washington Heights. 

    GANYC had a monthly meeting and a FAM tour at the Palace in 2015,  so I know that many of you are familiar with it. 

    (From Municipal Arts Society email blast)

    We need your help to save a treasure of Washington Heights!

    Last month, the Loew’s 175th Street Theatre—the last of New York’s five gilded age Wonder Theaters—received approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission, putting it one step closer to landmark designation after more than 45 years in limbo.

     

    But we have just learned from our colleagues at the Historic Districts Council that the local Council Member for the 10th district, Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, plans to rescind his support for designating the theater. Without his vote, the designation will almost surely fail to pass the City Council.

     

    Please call Council Member Rodriguez this week and tell him that the Loew’s 175th Street Theatre must be protected as a New York City landmark.

     

    MAS supported the designation of the Loew’s 175th Street Theatre when the Landmarks Preservation Commission first reviewed it in 1970, and again in 2015. A “delirious masterpiece” in words of the New York Times, the theater’s exuberant, eclectic style incorporates both Hindu and Islamic design in a free interpretation iconic to this period of theater design.

      Here's What You Can Do Call Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez 

    Ask him to support the designation of the Loew’s 175th Street Theatre!

    Legislative Office: 1-212-788-7053

    District Office: 1-917-521-2616

    Spread the Word

    Use social media, email, and good old conversation to tell your neighbors, friends, family, and colleagues that this is happening. It’s not too late to have our voices heard.

     

  3. Come Home To New York!


    GANYC created a video to make our pitch for New York to host the 2019 convention for the WFTGA (World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations), which was presented by our bid committee at the 2017 convention in Iran this past week. This video celebrates the diversity our city has to offer, as well as why visitors benefit from having a licensed guide introduce them to it. Thanks to all who helped us get here, and we look forward to the future.

     

     

    We are so proud to be a part of this global community, and encourage travelers and tourist guides to come home to New York!
     

     

  4. GANYC Apple Award Tickets On Sale!

    The 3rd annual GANYC Apple Awards are approaching fast... Monday, March 6th!

    Tickets are currently on sale.

    We are looking forward to having you join us as we celebrate the NYC community at the SVA Theater in a few weeks. GANYC members should also contact us for information on discounted ticket sales for members & guests. Get your tickets and join us for cocktails starting at 6:30pm, with the show starting at 8pm!

  5. SPOTLIGHT ON GANYC GUIDE: MICHAEL KABACK

    Introducing GANYC guide Michael Kaback of his own company: Mike's NYC Tours

    http://www.mikesnyctours.com

    212-370-4214

    Mikesnyctours@yahoo.com

    How long have you been a tour guide?

    19 years.

    What type of tours do you offer?

    Walking.

    Do you offer Niche Tours? 

    Flatiron District, Mostly History of NYC... Garment District, History plus current, plus future. Full descriptions on my website!

    What time of year would you consider your busy season?

    All year.

    Have you or your company been featured in print, broadcast (tv or radio) or online media?

    Was featured on Narratively in 2014. Read here: LINK.
     

    What drove you to become a tour guide or tour operator or create this company/organization? 

    Wanted an additional source of income, plus my appreciation and love of NYC and history.

    What is the most gratifying part of your work?

    Informing folks who are interested in NYC.

    What special deals, sales, events or promotions are you offering to GANYC Followers and our industry partners and their customers? 

    Free tours.

    How long have you been a GANYC member?

    18 years.

    How did you hear or learn about GANYC?

    From Lee Gelber.

    What's your advice or Tour Guide tip you love to share to people visiting New York?

    Step back from the curb after it rains. 20 blocks N or S equals one mile.
     

    (For more info or to book a tour with him check out his GANYC profile by clicking here.)

  6. Meet the WFTGA 2019 Bid Committee!

    GANYC is bidding for New York to host the 2019 WFTGA (World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations) convention. Key members will be attending the 2017 convention this month in Tehran to represent NYC and make our pitch for the conference to come home to New York. We wish them the best of luck, and a wonderful time in Iran with our global community of guides.

    Meet the bid committee!

  7. SPOTLIGHT ON GANYC GUIDE: PETER LASKOWICH

    Introducing GANYC guide Peter Laskowich of his own company: New York Dynamic

    http://newyorkdynamic.com

    (862) 226-1244

    Social Media: Facebook / YouTube


    How long have you been a tour guide?

    29 years.

    What types of tours do you offer?

    Walking, by subway, and step-ons.

    Do you offer Niche Tours?

    My tours focus on New York history and culture: most of all, we "read" the city through, for example, the bend in a road, shape of a building or site of a church. Occasionally we read that history and culture through baseball. The game enhances one's understanding of New York, and New York helps us to better understand baseball.

    What time of year would you consider your busy season?

    April through October.

    Have you or your company been featured in print, broadcast (tv or radio) or online media?

    Over the years I have appeared now and then on radio and television:
    *guest of then-State Senator David Patterson on his weekly program about politics, concerning racism and sport;
    *guest on WMCA's regular program featuring local culture, concerning the construction and features of Park Avenue;

    *guest on a BBC news program concerning the New York marathon;

    *various others.
     

    What drove you to become a tour guide or tour operator or create this company/organization? What's your story?

    Who isn't stirred - roused - exhilarated whenever flying into New York - this city is electric!

    What is the most gratifying part of your work?

    Working with a random group of strangers and getting a few inches of air between their feet and the ground. Maybe that happens once in a while.

    How long have you been a GANYC member?

    Four years.

    How did you hear or learn about GANYC?

    From other members.

    How has GANYC helped you and your business?

    It has helped primarily in maintaining contact with other guides.

    What's your advice or Tour Guide tip you love to share to people visiting New York?

    No great poetry without great readers, and no great tours without great tourists: a capable guide takes the bright-enthusiastic-responsive audience a long way.
     

    (For more info or to book a tour with Peter check out his GANYC profile by clicking here.)

  8. GANYC Members Get The Media Spotlight

    We at GANYC love to see when any of our member guides get a media spotlight, thus bringing a bigger eye to the great work our community does for New York. Here is a round-up of some recent media features:

    We are looking forward to seeing our community of guides continue to do great things in 2017!

  9. SPOTLIGHT ON INDUSTRY PARTNER: SARAH HIANCE OF THE NY BOTANICAL GARDEN

    Introducing GANYC Industry Partner – Sarah Hiance

    What is your Business Name?
     

    The New York Botanical Garden

    2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx NY

    718.817.8738

    http://www.nybg.org/home/

    Social Media: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram


    What year did your business open?

    1891.

    Can you tell us a little about your ideal customer?

    The New York Botanical Garden is a museum of plants, an educational institution, and a scientific research organization available to all generations who would like to immerse themselves in the 250 acres of splendor the Garden has to offer.

    What led to the creation of this organization?

    The New York Botanical Garden is a museum of plants, an educational institution, and a scientific research organization. Founded in 1891 and now a National Historic Landmark, it is one of the greatest botanical gardens in the world and the largest in any city in the United States, distinguished by the beauty of its diverse landscape and extensive collections and gardens, as well as by the scope and excellence of its programs in horticulture, education, and science.

    What contact information would you like to include?

    Keep up with upcoming events:

    www.nybg.org/visit/


    What upcoming or annual events, promotions or sales would you like to promote?

    The holiday train show has begun, and runs through January 16th!


    http://www.nybg.org/hts16/
     

    What is the most gratifying part of your work?

    Watching children explore the wonders of science and nature.

    Any fun stories or favorite moments you can share about why you love working at your business?

    Each season brings new opportunities to explore and to make lifelong connections with nature.

  10. SPOTLIGHT ON GANYC GUIDE: BOB GELBER

    Introducing GANYC guide Bob Gelber of his own company: Walkin’ NY

    http://www.walkinny.com/

    917-439-0691
     

    What's the best way to reach you should our readers want to contact you?

    Email: bobgelber@yahoo.com


    How long have you been a tour guide?

    10 years.


    What time of year would you consider your busy season?

    Spring through Fall.
     

    What drove you to become a tour guide or tour operator or create this company/organization? What's your story?

    I love NYC, my lifetime home. My favorite time spent alone, was always to wander around the City, visit Museums, Galleries, interesting historic sites. After I retired, I got my feet wet, by becoming a Big Apple Greeter, volunteering for the City, and sharing my City with visitors from all over the World. It was that wonderful experience that made me realize, this could be a business.
     

    What is the most gratifying part of your work?

    Meeting great people who share my love of what NYC has to offer.


    How long have you been a member of GANYC?

    9 years.


    How did you hear or learn about GANYC?

    Through another guide on one of my tours, who invited me to a GANYC meeting.


    What types of tours do you offer?

    Walking tours.
     

    Do you offer Niche Tours?

    Yes, Chocolate tasting walks, food tours. Specific historic tours, based on my clients interests, tours at 7WTC for groups.
     

    How has GANYC helped you and your business?

    I have met wonderful people, attended dozens of FAM tours, networked, and been offered many jobs, through other members.
     

    What's your advice or Tour Guide tip you love to share to people visiting New York?

    Wander around. Look at a map and pick a neighborhood, explore it, eat in it.

    (For more info or to book a tour with Bob check out his GANYC profile by clicking here.)

Pages

Subscribe to Blog

Proud Members of:

“NYCGO” NYSTIA “WFTGA” “NFTGA” “Museum
GANYC Logo
GANYC is an association of independent tour guides. Each member is licensed by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs. GANYC provides a listing of all member guides to the public. GANYC is not liable, or responsible, for contractual obligations made between clients and tour guides. GANYC stands for Guides Association Of New York City.
English French German Italian Portuguese Russian Spanish