September 2009

By THE NEW YORK TIMES Published: September 27, 2009 Georgette Blau, 35, is president of On Location Tours, a Manhattan-based company that offers entertainment-themed tours of New York locations from movies like “Sex and the City” and television shows like “Gossip Girl” for about $40. Tourism from Europe rebounded more quickly than many tour operators had expected, providing a pleasant surprise, Ms. Blau said. Customers have started tipping again but they still are not paying up for premium-priced limousine tours, she said. She said she has decided to raise prices by about 5 percent next year. I am definitely less worried. I was kind of nervous, especially around January, and thinking, oh my God, we’re going back to 2005. We always hold our breath in January and February in tourism. I was so on edge I didn’t know what to expect. We’re still a little bit on edge. I’ve heard the numbers are down 5 percent overall in New York. We’re 20 percent above 2007 and about 15 percent below 2008. We’re seeing not only more Italians and French, but, specifically, younger Italians and French who are noticing how much cheaper New York is. This summer, we got tons and tons of people just post-college who were staying in hostels. So many of them are saying that they are staying in hostels or hotels that are becoming more affordable. The hotels literally went from $400 a night to $150. The streets were flooded with tourists. Whenever we ask people in the international crowd, they don’t really know what the recession is. So we say, “We’re not going to tell you, just keep spending.” One thing that definitely happened over the winter and spring was our tour guides were not getting tipped.

From the Gossip Girl Blog:

Super-nice Justin Long was on-set filming Going the Distance when our eagle-eyed (and newlywed!) guide Brian happened upon him with the TV & Movie Tour.  Rather than run away, Justin was awesome and took pictures with the bus and signed autographs!

[gallery] Our Gossip Girl Tour ran into the show filming today on the steps of the Met -- tons of cute extras in Constance Billard and St. Jude's uniforms. Apparently because The Met is closed on Mondays it makes for the perfect shooting time on the steps. Check it out next week!

From Gossip Girl Blog: Chuck and anyone else?  DO. NOT. WANT.  Still utterly confused by what’s going on with him and Blair.  You’d think that if the two of them broke up, B would out in the city finding a new man to scratch her itches.  Could Chuck have broken her heart?  Again?  Hmm… I’m totally in the dark on their status.  Even Blair’s beloved maid Dorota is providing little to no details.  She’s been tweeting all summer (follow her at http://www.twitter.com/DorotaNYC).  Dorota’s made only a limited amount of refs to B.  Project Runway parties?  Trips to J Sisters?  Multiple “Julie and Julia” viewings?  Boring!  We want more dirt, Dorota.  It’s your job to come clean!

Gossip Girl Season 3 Premiere Viewing Party At Southern Hospitality Monday, September 14th, 2009 Party starts at 8pm, Season 3 debuts at 9pm No cover

• Come dressed in your best Gossip Girl Gear
• Gossip Girl trivia & Character Costume contests with drinks, appetizers & gear as prizes
• Award for Best Headband
• Free shot for anyone with Brooklyn driver’s license!

$5 XOXO shots $7 Nairtinis $8 “Upper East Sliders” The Best Gossip Girl Party on the Upper East Side! Southern Hospitality 1460 Second Avenue New York, NY 10075 (212) 249-1001 www.southernhospitalitybbq.com

From marieclaire.co.uk: Carrie Bradshaw may adore her Manolo Blahnik heels, but the designer himself saves little love for the TV show that helped make his name. As filming for the sequel kicks off in New York, Blahnik has revealed that he's more than a little bored of being linked to the fashion-filled franchise, telling the Sunday Telegraph, 'If people talk to me about Sex and the City I get sick.' Although a designer for nearly 40-years, Blahnik's status soared when Sarah Jessica Parker's small screen fashionista namechecked her love of his heels week-after-week on the hit show. Now, speaking on his newfound fame he told the paper in horror, 'It's sweet but it becomes too much and I don't feel comfortable. I have never wanted to be a celebrity designer.' Admitting the association had provided his business with a boost though, he added, 'Well, we had a very good year last year, thanks to those stupid satin shoes (which SJP wore in the movie). That shoe saved our company.' Filming for the SATC sequel started last week, with Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kim Cattrall all already spotted filming on location in NY. And perhaps word of Mr Blahnik's distaste had already got back SJP. While she was rocking her signature skyscrapers, there wasn't a Manolo in sight, and she's instead sported a string of Christian Louboutin designs. Looks like Carrie has a new favourite!

From the Gossip Girl Blog: Oh Serena. She’s becoming a household name all over Europe. Our favorite blonde bombshell just spent a weeklong holiday in France. From partying with royals in St Tropez to wining and dining in Paris (rumor has it S was spotted out w/ French actor Louis Garrel – trés sexy), S sure has shown the county her joie de vivre (among other things…). We can only hope that when our “it” girl returns to the states she’ll cause the same commotion here as she did overseas. But hey, doesn’t S have to pack up and head to Brown soon? Very interested to see what the people of Providence will think of her naughty ways…

[gallery] Thanks to Elena Landano for sending along these super cute pics of her enjoying the Gossip Girl Sites Tour! We love our fans! If you have photos of yourself and friends on any of our tours, send 'em our way! Thanks, Elena!

Looking for the skinny on Sex & the City 2 filming?  Check out our friends over at On Location Vacations.  They have all the dirt on where and when Ms. Bradshaw and Company are working it.  Check 'em out!