NYC to Be Top Destination for Fall Tourism

On 31 August 2022 by Ethan Wolff

The latest tourism data supports the cautious optimism we're hearing for the fall. As pandemic concerns fade further into the background, pricing is having more of an influence on traveler choices.

The Tripadvisor Fall Index survey shows 37% of Americans intend to travel this fall, regardless of inflation, an increase of 5% over May numbers.
The same survey shows 81% of Americans opting for domestic travel; NYC is the #2 destination, trailing only Las Vegas.
Food and activities are the top two interests.
Online travel searches are up 40% for fall travel year over year; NYC has seen a 75% increase.
A pandemic recovery foot traffic study ranks NYC third in North America.

Recent data from Expedia shows the strength of NYC as a destination—#1 for North American travelers, #2 for Europe/Africa/Middle East and Latin American travelers, and #7 for Asia Pacific. The same report shows travel searches holding steady, justifying optimistic expectations for a solid fall on top of a bounce-back summer.

hall des lumieres klimt

Art meets tech at the inaugural Hall des Lumières exhibition, Gustav Klimt: Gold in Motion. Concierge raved on a recent City Guide night out at the new space, set in Lower Manhattan’s former Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank. The public opening is slated for September 14th. © akg-images / Erich Lessing; Photo: Bridgeman Images.

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

State-of-the-art Midnight Theatre in Manhattan West to open September 21st
Rock Center renaissance continues as McNally Jackson opens new flagship book shop
New hotel Penny now open in Williamsburg
New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square unveils extensive revamp
Dumbo asks, can a neighborhood be Instagrammed to death?
Yelp review extortion scheme hits NYC
Live performance is back but audiences are returning slowly

BEYOND NYC

Changing patterns in leisure travel: more online research, reviews are more important, and price is a factor
Morning Consult new State of Travel & Hospitality report shows softening autumn, but major jump in Chinese travel intentions
Business travel expected to recover to pre-pandemic levels next year

CLOSING TIME

9/11 Tribute Museum ends 16 year run
Hudson West Kitchen + Craft Bar shutters
After 91 years, the East 77th Street location of Green Kitchen is done

About the Author

Ethan Wolff is the author of numerous guidebooks to New York, having covered the city for more than two decades. He has written for New York Magazine, BlackBook, and Details, among others. In addition to his work as the editor of City Guide, Ethan covers NYC’s talk and lecture scene for the website Thought Gallery. He lives with his wife and two daughters in the Windsor Terrace neighborhood of Brooklyn.

New York City Activities

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City Guide is expecting a strong holiday season for New York City. Nationwide indicators are promising, with intentions to travel very high and inflation having only a minimal impact on traveler plans. Advanced bookings are also promising, as is the news that NYC is adding jobs again. All of which point to a continued surge in city travel.

NYC Tourism Fall Kickoff + NYC Fall Openings

NYC's tourism industry gathered on the flight deck of the Intrepid Museum for the NYC Tourism Fall Kickoff celebration. 38 members of the tourism community were honored for their service to NYC visitors. Reports were very optimistic for the fall season, which is backed by the latest tourism data, and by a proliferation of high profile NYC openings.

New York City Fall Tourism Update

The traffic we see around the city, with returning tourists, students, and office workers, is backed by data. The MTA has recorded record highs for both subway and commuter rail in recent days. Nationally, data for recovery is also strong, with hotel pricing setting other records. (NYC's Labor Day weekend hotel numbers were among the nation's best, nearing 95% occupancy on Saturday night.)