Power Players in Tourism and Hospitality

Elizabeth “Betsy” Smith was appointed in March 2018 as president and CEO of the Central Park Conservancy, where she oversees strategic planning, park operations, capital programming, public programming, development, and marketing and communication strategies. With the Conservancy’s 40-year restoration of Central Park now largely complete, her focus is on creating a plan that addresses the massive use of the Park while fostering continued stewardship through a commitment to financial sustainability, operational excellence, and engaged governance.

What do you wish more people understood about the tourism and hospitality industry?
That it is an enormous responsibility to care for iconic and beloved locations like Central Park. We take tremendous pride in knowing that so many people visit and enjoy what we care for, but it requires a massive amount of work for our staff and volunteers to ensure that every part of the Park — from lawns and fields to playgrounds and trees — remains clean, safe, and accessible for all.

How is the industry recovering after the pandemic?
The pandemic showed everyone how critical parks are to the well-being of all New Yorkers. They were incredibly well-used, and Central Park proved to be a uniquely safe gathering space for everyone at a time when indoor recreation and relaxation was impossible. Though it was a difficult period, working with our staff, volunteers, City partners, and supporters, we were able to ensure Central Park was there for everyone who needed it, and will continue to be moving forward.

What is the most memorable trip you’ve ever taken, or the most memorable meal you’ve ever eaten?
Without a doubt, Yosemite National Park was the most memorable trip I’ve taken. Coincidentally, Frederick Law Olmsted, one of the designers of Central Park, was instrumental in the protection of Yosemite. I had the opportunity to look out from Olmsted Point, an incredible vista, and also had the most delicious hot dog of my life.

What is one tourist destination that all visitors should add to their itinerary?
I am undoubtedly a bit biased, but I truly believe Central Park is one of the most magnificent public spaces in the country, and is an absolute must-see for any visitor. Deemed by many to be one of the most important works of 19th-century American art, I don’t think there is a better site for a tourist to visit than the Ramble in Central Park.

Kathryn Spata is the president of the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. In addition to serving in this position, she is also the owner and founder of Nancy’s of Woodstock Artisanal Creamery. She opened the ice cream shop in 2017, proudly sourcing all the ingredients locally. Spata brings this personal experience as a small business owner to her role at the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce, where she helps to organize and advance the welfare of all businesses in the Woodstock community.

Rob Speyer has led the expansion of Tishman Speyer, the owner of Rockefeller Center. Under his leadership, Tishman Speyer’s assets under management have doubled to over $65 billion, and includes more than 50 million square feet of mixed-use development and redevelopment projects globally. Tishman Speyer serves the needs of nearly 1,800 industry-leading customers in 30 markets throughout the world. Speyer is co-chair of the Partnership for New York City and serves as chair of the Advisory Board of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City.

Charlotte St. Martin is president of The Broadway League, having joined in 2006. The Broadway League is the national trade association for the Broadway industry. During her tenure, Ms. St. Martin has championed many of the League’s educational as well as equitable and inclusive initiatives along with audience development initiatives. Her unwavering efforts successfully led to Broadway’s reopening following the pandemic shutdown.

What do you wish more people understood about the tourism and hospitality industry?
Tourism and hospitality create jobs, jobs, jobs. They also deliver a quality of life where neighborhoods flourish with more restaurants, entertainment, and attractions in comparison to areas where tourism does not exist.

How is the industry recovering after the pandemic?
Broadway celebrates the more than 5.5 million theatregoers who have attended a show, as of 4/17/2022, since it reopened this fall. Most theatres are thrilled to have 90% of the seats filled by audiences. While it will take years to recover the financial losses incurred during the pandemic, the city of New York is returning to normalcy thanks to the return of Broadway, which is responsible for 97,000 jobs in NYC and delivers a $14 billion economic impact to our city.

What is the most memorable trip you’ve ever taken, or the most memorable meal you’ve ever eaten?
Hiking in Provence is the most memorable trip I have ever taken, and the most memorable meal was enjoying dinner at The French Laundry on a gorgeous spring night in Yountville, California.

What is one tourist destination that all visitors should add to their itinerary?
In NYC, Broadway! In the world, Tuscany including Florence, Italy.

John P. Stern is president of Storm King Art Center, a 500-acre outdoor museum in New York’s Hudson Valley that nurtures a vibrant bond between art, nature, and people. Stern assumed his presidency in 2010 following the legacy of his grandfather, Ralph E. Ogden, and father, H. Peter Stern, who together created the Art Center. During his tenure, Stern has prioritized expanded programming and amenities for a more diverse audience, acquisitions of new significant works of sculpture, and the development of Storm King’s extraordinary landscape for art and environmental stewardship.

What do you wish more people understood about the tourism and hospitality industry?
For places that are considered tourism destinations, it’s worth asking ourselves “what is tourism?” For me it’s seeking out something you’ve never seen before, something that’s magical. When I say to someone that I work at Storm King, I can usually tell by their reaction whether they’ve been here. Storm King is unlike anywhere else — large-scale sculpture, trees, mountains, the combination is stunning. For people seeing it for the first time, that feeling of joy from a new experience can really be life changing.

How is the industry recovering after the pandemic?
At Storm King we’ve seen how much people want to be outside, especially as the pandemic continues to affect people in different ways and with health and safety influencing the places people choose to visit. The benefits of spending time in nature and with art have really come to the forefront. For the larger industry, it became a necessity, but also a wonderful opportunity, to reconsider how things are run. We learned a lot and were able to make changes for the better, such as becoming more accessible to new visitors or supporting artists in different ways.

What is one tourist destination that all visitors should add to their itinerary?
The Hudson Valley and the Hudson Highlands have so many things to offer. There’s a lot of history, both in terms of Indigenous and U.S. history, but also art history. The extraordinary natural environment has inspired artists for a long time and the region has become home for many artists and galleries in recent years. We’re thrilled that more people are visiting the area as a cultural destination, and equally so when they are awed by the landscape itself. A visit to Storm King encompasses all of that — it’s just up the river from New York City but feels a world away.

Henry Timms is the president and chief executive officer of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. He is the creator of the global philanthropic movement, #GivingTuesday, which has raised over seven billion dollars in donations for good causes. He is also the co-author of the international best-selling book New Power: How Power Works in Our Hyperconnected World – and How to Make it Work for You, and former president and chief executive officer of the 92nd Street Y.

What do you wish more people understood about the tourism and hospitality industry?
Tourism is so critical to New York City. We are a stronger and much more interesting city because we attract people from all over the country and all over the world. What’s unique about New York is the opportunity to engage with so many diverse groups of people. Tourism plays a key part in that, especially at a time when we feel so disconnected across the world. The chance to engage with different cultures could not be more important.

How is the industry recovering after the pandemic?
This has been a tough time for the performing arts, and especially for artists across the city and far beyond. One thing that tourism brings is audiences to New York City, and it couldn’t be more important that we do everything we can to ensure that people from around the world put New York City first when they think about a cultural destination.

What is the most memorable trip you’ve ever taken, or the most memorable meal you’ve ever eaten?
I have never tasted anything as good as the apple I was handed by a volunteer after completing my first marathon, the 50th anniversary of the New York City Marathon. Truly, there are few better commercials for our great city than the way all neighborhoods and communities turn out to cheer runners on.

What is one tourist destination that all visitors should add to their itinerary?
I’m going to cheat and say two. Both Governors Island and Roosevelt Island are often overlooked, but are terrific day trips away from the city. You certainly get a very different perspective of Manhattan when you see it a step removed. They both make for a great day out with the family and a great chance to see many unexpected surprises.

Olga Luz Tirado was responsible for the surge in visitorship to the borough. She has also increased participation in many signature events, in some cases by over 1000%, by utilizing her marketing skills and ability to build relationships. During the 2020 pandemic, Olga produced and hosted Go Bronx Podcast, a weekly show about Bronx history, Bronx stories, and Bronx voices. The show won the prestigious 2021 Webby Award for Best Limited Series.

What do you wish more people understood about the tourism and hospitality industry?
It is important to understand that tourism and hospitality plays a major role in economic development. We need to help our strategic partners become tourism ready.

How is the industry recovering after the pandemic?
I believe we are on the road to serious recovery. People are excited about getting out and about and exploring. After nearly two years of isolation, it’s time to venture out to new places and learn about the rich history.

What is the most memorable trip you’ve ever taken, or the most memorable meal you’ve ever eaten?
I’ve traveled around the world — China, Turkey, Cuba, Italy, France, Belize. I loved zip lining above the canopies in Costa Rica and hiking through the Canadian Rockies. My favorite meals were in Portugal. Lisbon is by far my favorite city.

What is one tourist destination that all visitors should add to their itinerary?
Wave Hill in The Bronx is stunning. It’s small, in comparison to some of the other outdoor museums, but it is a great place to sit and relax while taking in the view.

Marcel Van Ooyen is the president and CEO of GrowNYC, a nonprofit that empowers all New Yorkers to pursue a clean and healthy environment through environmental and food access programs, ensuring that every city resident has the same access to fresh food, green space, and clean air. Since taking leadership in 2006, Van Ooyen has substantially broadened GrowNYC’s food access programs (check out the New York State Regional Food Hub!), as well as developed new gardening and educational programming for the organization.

What do you wish more people understood about the tourism and hospitality industry?
It’s important to understand how crucial tourism and hospitality are to those who work in the service industry here, and how meaningful it is to the ability of so many New Yorkers to support their families. 

In 2019 (just before the pandemic), 67 million visitors came to New York City, contributing more than $47 billion to our local economy. Tourism is a highly significant economic driver for the city, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs here. In short, it’s essential to the vitality of our city and our neighbors.

How is the industry recovering after the pandemic?
Slowly. A decrease in the number of visitors to New York City has significantly impacted the hotel industry, and many are not yet back to capacity. And we know that restaurants took a large hit, especially those in Manhattan. The amount of local products that NYC restaurants buy from the farmers we work with is still down (though increasing every day!).

Recovery in Manhattan is particularly tough because of the diminished number of tourists, and the fact that many here are still working from home. The ripples affect many interrelated industries.

What is the most memorable trip you’ve ever taken, or the most memorable meal you’ve ever eaten?
In 2015, I went with the Italian Consulate to Northern Italy for the Expo Milano. One day we did a tour of different eateries in Piemonte, going from one amazing place to the next. Our first stop was an incredible cheese cave, and from there we went to an historical hazelnut chocolate factory. That day we also went to a couple of wineries (one in a castle), and finally dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant.

What is one tourist destination that all visitors should add to their itinerary?

A GrowNYC Greenmarket, of course. There’s nothing like our flagship Union Square Greenmarket, but we operate 50 Greenmarkets throughout the year. And right now, farmers market season is just beginning. Each week, more seasonal markets are opening throughout the city. Visiting some of our neighborhood markets is a great way to get a real understanding of New York City and its many wonderful communities. And the food! There are over 200 regional farmers and producers who bring, cumulatively, over 12,000 varieties of food to Greenmarkets each year.

Tracey Walsh is the director of the County Department of Tourism for Putnam County. She joined the organization in this role in 2019 after being appointed following the establishment of the Department of Tourism by the Putnam County Legislature. Ms. Walsh previously worked at the American Cancer Society for nearly a decade in a variety of positions, including a long stint as the director of special events.

Robert E. Wankel has served as chairman and CEO of The Shubert Organization, as well as chairman of The Shubert Foundation, since his appointment in 2020. Mr. Wankel began his professional career at the accounting firm Laventhal & Horwath as an audit manager. He joined The Shubert Organization in 1975 as manager of financial planning, and continued through the organization in a number of roles including controller, vice president of finance, chief financial officer, and executive vice president. He became president and co-CEO in 2008. Mr. Wankel is involved in the philanthropic side of the New York theater community as well, serving in leadership positions for a number of charitable organizations including the Broadway League, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and the Actors Fund.