Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg; Emily Rafferty, Chair, NYC & Company; and George Fertitta, CEO, NYC & Company recently announced that New York City will reach 54.3 million visitors in 2013, a new all-time high and an increase of nearly 20 million additional annual tourists from 2002. By the end of this year, visitors to New York City will have generated US$58.7 billion in overall economic impact and US$39.4 billion in direct spending, while jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector are anticipated to reach a monthly average of more than 370,000 by year’s end, demonstrating the importance of the tourism and hospitality industry to New York City and its economy. The Mayor also announced today that the City is on pace to reach 55 million annual visitors by next year, one year ahead of his original goal of 2015. The formal announcement will be made this evening at the NYC & Company Foundation Leadership Awards Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where the Mayor will also be presented with the NYC & Company Leadership Award for his contributions to advancing the City’s tourism industry.
“Tourism plays a vital role in our city’s economy, and the work that we’ve done to strengthen tourism over the past 12 years has helped our city weather the national economic downturn and come out in far better shape than most other cities. Since 2002, overall tourism here has grown more than 50 percent, while international visitation has increased more than 100 percent. In addition, more and more people are visiting attractions outside of Manhattan, thanks in part to our efforts to support cultural organisations in neighborhoods across the city.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors of NYC & Company, I’m extremely proud that, working together, we have achieved this extraordinary tourism milestone in 2013,” said NYC & Company Chair and President of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Emily Rafferty. “Speaking as well for my own sector, the City’s cultural institutions continue to attract visitors who come to experience both our iconic museums as well as our off-the-beaten path cultural gems. This year, New York City is poised to welcome more than 26 million cultural visitors to the five boroughs, positively contributing to the overall strength of our record-breaking tourism industry.
“Diversifying our economy and making tourism a focus has resulted in record after record for our tourism industry, including employment, which continues to show growth and strength,” said Deputy for Economic Development Mayor Robert K. Steel. “Thanks to Mayor Bloomberg’s leadership, we have experienced record low crime and enhanced overall quality of life. These factors, combined with NYC & Company’s innovative efforts, have ensured that New York City remains the number one big city tourism destination in the United States.
“New York City’s tourism industry continues to thrive, and we’re pleased to welcome an all-time high of 54.3 million visitors this year, said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta. “Our City’s hotels, attractions, museums, restaurants and retailers throughout all five boroughs contribute to this positive trend of growth. A visit to New York City is a rite of passage, and no other place can offer our unique energy, excitement and diversity,” said Mayor Bloomberg.
In 2012, 52.7 million visitors came to New York City – a record high at the time. This year’s new record of 54.3 million visitors represents a nearly 54 percent increase since 2002, when the City was attracting approximately 35 million visitors. Of the more than 54 million visitors in 2013, 42.9 million travel to New York City domestically, while 11.4 million travel from international locations. Hotel demand in 2013 will also reach a projected 30 million hotel room nights sold, which represents an increase of 1 million room nights sold as compared to last year. Hotel average occupancy for the year is anticipated to finish at 87.8 percent, while average daily room rates citywide are up for 4 percent to US$296. Hotel development is expected to reach 100,000 rooms by the end of 2014.
