“I am relieved that this company has listened to the overwhelming complaints of community members, as well as public officials, who were outraged and sickened,” the statement read.
Representatives of Real Bronx Tours did not return CNN’s calls seeking comment.
Diaz now is also asking the company to apologize to the residents of the Bronx “for their terrible portrayal of our communities.”
Mark-Viverito told CNN it is a great victory for the community and that in the future, tours should instead highlight the beauty in the Bronx.
The Bronx is one of the five boroughs of New York City and currently has a reported 1.4 million residents.
Chris Heywood, senior vice president of communications for NYC & Company, which calls itself the official guide to New York, said Thursday that Real Bronx Tours is completely outside the realm of anything they would ever promote. “We condemn what they were promoting.”
In an effort to highlight the vibrancy of the borough, Heywood said the company has launched a new global communications effort called Neighborhood x Neighborhood, which recently showcased the South Bronx. The program focused on many of the Bronx’s most famous attractions, including Yankee Stadium and the Grand Concourse.