TOURISM INCREASE IN NYC

Tourism stalled during the pandemic, which caused spending in New York City to decrease by more than half. Thankfully, a new study predicts that New York is likely to see a 70% increase in tourism this year. The city is expecting approximately 56 million tourists in 2022, including 8 million from abroad. This increase puts the city closer to its goal of a full tourism recovery by 2024. 

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Times Square and other popular tourist destinations will once again be filled with visitors. Broadway shows and street musicians will finally have audiences. Hotel occupancy is expected to rise. In hopes of increasing tourism, NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing and tourism organization, plans to promote each of the five boroughs to tourists by setting up some attractions outside Manhattan. 

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Although many tourists are returning to New York City, big spenders from China are not expected to return due to strict government regulations. Before the pandemic, China was the fastest growing source of foreign visitors to the city. New York’s economy benefited immensely from Chinese tourists since they tended to stay longer and spent more than other tourists. 

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Tourism is a vital part of New York City’s economy, supporting more than 300,000 jobs in hotels, restaurants, museums, and theaters. The city still faces a long road to full recovery, but this is definitely a step in the right direction. 

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Work Cited:

McGeehan, Patrick. “International Tourists Flock Back to New York, With One Big Exception.” New York Times, March 30 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/30/nyregion/nyc-tourism-china.html