By Reginald Charlot is the senior vice president of tourism market development for NYC Tourism + Conventions, the official destination marketing organization for New York City. He is responsible for leading and growing the tourism market for the city, focusing on Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the US, luxury and LGBTQ+ segments. He has a long and successful career in the tourism industry, spanning over 15 years, and has a passion for connecting people and cultures.
Reginald was born to Haitian parents and grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland, a suburb of Washington DC. He was exposed to different cultures and languages from an early age, as he spoke French at home, visited Haiti regularly, and had friends from various countries. He also developed an interest in geography, history, and social studies, and dreamed of traveling the world.
He attended the University of Maryland, where he majored in international business and marketing, and minored in French. He also studied abroad in France and Spain, and participated in various internships and volunteer programs. He graduated in 1997 and moved to New York City, where he started his career in the tourism industry.
His roles and achievements at NYC Tourism + Conventions
Reginald joined NYC Tourism + Conventions in 2008 as the managing director of tourism market development. He was in charge of developing and promoting the city’s core markets across Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the US. He also helped establish city-to-city partnerships with Auckland, Milan, and Madrid, and created media and trade campaigns with Air New Zealand, Havas Voyages, and Viajes El Corte Inglés. He also developed the organization’s luxury and LGBTQ+ strategies, which he continues to oversee in his current role.
In 2023, Reginald was promoted to the senior vice president of tourism market development, expanding his portfolio to include the domestic market, which is the largest and most important source of visitors for New York City. He also oversees the regional offices in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, and manages a team of 12 professionals. He is responsible for creating and executing the marketing and sales plans for his markets, as well as building and maintaining relationships with key industry partners, such as airlines, tour operators, travel agents, media, and influencers.
Reginald has been instrumental in driving the recovery and growth of New York City’s tourism sector, which was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. He has led the efforts to adapt and innovate the organization’s products and services, to meet the changing needs and expectations of the travelers. He has also spearheaded the initiatives to communicate and showcase the city’s diverse and unique offerings, such as its villages, traditions, and landscapes. He has also fostered collaboration and innovation among the tourism stakeholders, to create new and sustainable experiences that are aligned with the global trends.
His vision and passion for New York City and the tourism industry
Reginald is a proud and passionate New Yorker, who loves and lives the city’s culture, energy, and spirit. He believes that New York City is the best destination in the world, and that it has something for everyone, from its iconic landmarks, to its hidden gems, from its world-class cuisine, to its local flavors, from its vibrant nightlife, to its serene parks. He also believes that New York City is a leader and an influencer in the global tourism industry, and that it has a strong and resilient tourism community, that works together to overcome any challenges and seize any opportunities.
Reginald is also a visionary and a passionate leader, who has a clear and ambitious goal for New York City and the tourism industry. He wants to make New York City the most visited and the most loved destination in the world, and to make the tourism industry the most inclusive and the most sustainable sector in the world. He wants to achieve this by creating and delivering exceptional and memorable experiences for the travelers, by enhancing and diversifying the city’s tourism products and services, by engaging and empowering the tourism partners and stakeholders, and by promoting and protecting the city’s tourism assets and values.