New York City is ahead of schedule in attracting its goal of 50 million annual visitors by 2012 with 46 million tourists this year, according to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.
“New York City’s tourism sector is booming, with record numbers of visitors coming each of the last five years, even as the number of international visitors to the rest of the nation has declined,†he said.
Since 2000, New York City has seen a 34% increase in overseas arrivals while the US as a whole has seen an eight percent decline.
The hotel industry, a strong barometer of the visitor industry’s success, also continues to perform well.
New York City’s hotels sold an estimated 5.4 million total room nights in the first quarter of 2008, up 5% from the same period last year. Hotel occupancy rates are above 80%, compared to about 60% across the rest the rest of the nation.
Tourism initiatives include the City’s first-ever $30 million global communications campaign, “This is New York City,†and the tourist appreciation campaign “Just Ask the Locals.â€
The later entered its second phase this spring, an expansion that includes 22 new celebrities and local experts, all of whom provide insider tips on what to see and do in New York City.
Over last year, NYC & Company also opened 10 new international offices, bringing the total to 17.
Report by David Wilkening
