Tourists are returning in big numbers. There is real optimism about tourist spending levels growing and eventually returning to pre-pandemic levels. The Times notes that bars and clubs are reporting huge lines now that mask requirements have been lifted. Confidence in events at NYC venues is rising faster than expected. Other recent data includes:
NYC & Co.'s 2022 Forecast
- NYC & Co. is anticipating 56.4 million visitors, including 8 million foreign travelers in 2022. That's 85% of 2019's peak visitation by year end (reflecting a full domestic recovery and international travel at 82% of peak levels) and a 70% increase from last year.
- The most recent Times Square pedestrian count shows a 128% increase in daily visitors for February over the same period a year ago—204,959 average daily visitors.
New York City Government Commitments: Mayor Eric Adams’s Goal Is a Full Tourism Recovery by 2024
- Mayor Adams gave NYC & Co. an additional $10 million to put toward the promotional campaign it launched last year, with the theme “It’s Time for New York City.”
- The mayor wants to boost New York City’s outreach to tourists and invite people from all over the world to visit and spend money. Beyond marketing, the Mayor is committing to improving public safety by tackling perceptions of crime and disorder.
Carnival Cruise Line said Monday that the week ending Sunday was the line's busiest booking week in its 50-year history—and not just beaten by a hair, the percentage increase was double digit. Signs of the resurgence are everywhere, not least on the streets of NYC.
Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen's "Plantoir, Blue" is now up at the Fifth Avenue entrance of the Channel Gardens at Rock Center, on display until May 6th.
LINKS OF INTEREST
Target now open in Times Square, in the former B.B. King's space. Photo courtesy of Target.
NYC
- Inaugural Japan Parade with Grand Marshall George Takei coming May 14th
- Blue Note New York announces 11th Annual Sony Presents Blue Note Jazz Festival starting June 1st
- Pride Island returning in-person, at new Governors Island location, June 24th-26th
- Inaugural Festival of New York to celebrate city's resilience with street parties, dance, music, theater, and food fairs this summer
- Regal Cinemas, retail, a food hall, themed restaurants, wellness, and family-oriented entertainment all coming to Flushing at new Tangram development
- JetBlue doubles down on NYC
- MSC Cruises to homeport MSC Meraviglia at Brooklyn Cruise Terminal
- City puts up pro-NYC billboards in Florida in response to "Don’t Say Gay" law
BEYOND NYC
- Business travel recovery keeps gaining traction
- Travel advisors say demand continues to outpace rising vacation costs
HEADWINDS
- Jury duty staple Forlini’s closes up after 66 years
- Blue Moon Hotel files for bankruptcy
- Jekyll & Hyde files for bankruptcy
- Pouring Ribbons pours no more after a decade in the East Village
