Page 29 - ARUBA TODAY

PEOPLE/ARTS Tuesday 26 sepTember 2017
A29

Airbnb launches local tours in NYC with Sarah Jessica Parker

By BETH J. HARPAZ ed Press that she gave a lot efit St. Jude Children’s Re-
AP Travel Editor of thought to making sure search Hospital, and actor
Airbnb is launching local that her tour “speaks to the Ansel Elgort leading a visit
tours and other experi- very colorful identity that is to his Brooklyn neighbor-
ences in New York City New York. hood to benefit Americares
this week, with one listing We could have gone to hurricane relief efforts.
promising “an unforgetta- MOMA or the Whitney or Airbnb has been offering
ble shoe-shopping experi- walked through China- experiences in other cities
ence” led by a New Yorker town or certainly had a since November as part of
whose bio describes her as nice walk on the High Line a larger “trips” platform. It’s
“an actor, producer, busi- or just strolled the streets of now in 40 markets world-
nesswoman ... and a proud the East Village or Midtown wide, including Barce-
New Yorker.” East.” lona, Havana and Tokyo.
That host is Sarah Jessica She decided on Bloom- A handful of New York ex-
Parker. Each participant ingdale’s because it’s “an periences have been listed
will get a pair of shoes iconic destination” where since March, all in Harlem,
from her SJP Collection at she hopes to “be of ser- but the trips rollout this
Bloomingdale’s, with a stop vice” in helping her guests week will expand to 150 In this Aug. 6, 2015 file photo, Sarah Jessica Parker attends the
Broadway opening night of “Hamilton” in New York.
at the department store’s pick out the perfect foot- experiences citywide, from Associated Press
Forty Carrots cafe for frozen wear. “secrets of the subway” to
yogurt before the guests The ballet, she added, is a walk through New York’s “Sex and the City,” which ing scene was shot? “You
head off to the ballet. “one of the great cultural “tattoo history.” Parker starred in, still seek know what,” she said with
The listing for Parker’s Oct. experiences anybody can Prices for experiences in out places around New a laugh, “it didn’t even oc-
6 experience will go live have” in New York, whether other markets range from York where the show was cur to me.”
Tuesday morning, with they live here or are visiting. under $10 to more than filmed. “There’s so much Airbnb is primarily known
four spaces bookable at Parker’s listing is one of sev- $100, depending on loca- of the city that I recall from for vacation rentals around
$400 each, first come, first eral Airbnb “social impact tion and what’s offered. the many years of shoot- the world. Officials in many
served. The money will go experiences” being offered Hosts get 80 percent of the ing on the streets,” Parker cities have criticized the
to the New York City Bal- in New York by celebrities fee, Airbnb the rest, except said. Did she consider tak- company, saying its short-
let, where Parker is a board for charity. Others include for the social impact expe- ing guests on her Airbnb term rentals are reducing
member. former NFL player Michael riences, where 100 percent tour to Magnolia Bakery in long-term housing options
Parker said in a phone in- Strahan taking guests golf- goes to charity. Greenwich Village, where for residents and forcing
terview with The Associat- ing at Chelsea Piers to ben- Fans of the HBO series a famous cupcake-eat- prices up.q