05 January 2010

Rabid raccoons fail to deter Big Apple visitors

Despite reports of rabid raccoons in Central Park, New York City remains the most popular destination in the US, according to Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

While high-spending international visitors fell almost 10 percent in 2009, the number of American tourists declined only slightly, according to figures from NYC & Co., the city's tourism agency.

New York's 45.25 million tourists last year made it the nation's top draw for the first time since 1990, surpassing Orlando, Fla., Bloomberg said.

The mayor attributed the city’s popularity largely to its "nice people."

"They (tourists) want to go to a place where people are nice," Bloomberg said. "And I hear again and again and again from friends from around the world that come here, and they say, 'You know, I never knew New Yorkers were such nice people.' "

And about that raccoon issue?

Tourists have been warned to be on their guard against raccoons in New York’s Central Park after two animals were discovered to have rabies.

Visitors have been told to avoid contact with wild animals, including stray cats and dogs and to be wary of unusually friendly animals.

"Protect yourself, avoid interaction with them," said New York Health Department Spokesman Dr. Sally Slavinski.

"If an animal looks sick or has trouble walking, then you should tell a park employee or call 311."

By David Wilkening