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A Good Start For Philadelphia Tourism In 2012

By John Ostapkovich

According to a top tourism official, it was a rip-roaring New Year's holiday in terms of bringing people to enjoy the festivities in Philadelphia.

It was our observation that Center City was mobbed over the New Year's weekend and Meryl Levitz, president and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, was all too happy to agree, with some examples...

"Franklin Square had 15-hundred people for the "square drop." Both skating parties at the Penn's landing sold out," said Levitz. "The preliminary numbers for the fireworks for the 6 pm show, which has gotten increasingly popular, were 50-thousand on both sides of the river.  Midnight looked even bigger."

While this holiday was on a weekend and had great weather, plus several events at the stadiums, Levitz said tourism marketing is beginning to get the message out there: if you're looking for fun, food, culture, sports and more, Philadelphia is your spot.

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