The latest on tourism is that the surge will continue at least through the holidays, and inflation is not stopping travelers. American Express reports customer spending on travel and entertainment boomed in the third quarter. There's no evidence a potential recession is holding them back. “The demand for travel has exceeded our expectations throughout the year, with spending on T&E increasing 57% from a year earlier," according to Chairman and SEO Stephen Squeri.
- Air traffic for the holidays will reach or exceed 2019
- Hotel leisure travel revenue will exceed 2019
- (And hotel business travel will be within 1%)
- The TSA just set a new record for pandemic-era air travel
- 86% of U.S. consumers are planning a domestic trip within the next year
The news from NYC & Company is also promising, reporting that every top international market is expected to grow in 2022, 2023, and 2024; NYC remains on track to meet or exceed 2019 visits by 2024.
The most recent NYC occupancy numbers are good as well, at 89%, up from 80% the previous week; NYC is #1 among the nation's major hotel markets. NYC holiday bookings are also running strong: the Duetto Pulse Report records November up by 37% and December up 46% over last year.
Gains in city hospitality jobs helped drive unemployment down from 6.6% in August to 5.6% in September, buoying hope for a strong holiday season.
LINKS OF INTEREST
New National Geographic immersive Beyond King Tut opens Friday on the Lower East Side. Photo courtesy Timothy Norris.
NYC NOTES
- Expanded initiatives will address transit crime
- (Mayor Adams talks crime and perception with CNN, notes "crime is actually lower than it was in 2018 or 2019 by 4%")
- Congrats to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, selected as the Best Landmark in the U.S., and Fotografiska, dubbed Best Hidden Gem in the U.S., by ticketing site Tiqets
- Resuscitated Toys “R” Us launches inside Macy’s Herald Square
- After 2 year hiatus, the Holiday Fair returns to Grand Central on November 14th
- Times Square casino talk intensifies
- Vacancies remain high in Herald Square amid mixed retail report
- Planning continues for major Newark Liberty redesign
BEYOND NYC
- Millennials dominate holiday travel spending amid uncertain economic outlook
- Airfare cost continues to rise
CLOSING TIME
- L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon will not reopen
- Last minute intervention not enough to save Loeb Boathouse
- 1Oak nightclub evicted from the Meatpacking after 15 years
- After more than a decade, Beecher's closes shop
Empire Outlets Has Holiday Shopping and More
Empire Outlets is one of New York City’s premier outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations, easily accessed on the Staten Island waterfront. Great deals are waiting at signature retailers; if you have guests looking for holiday decor, Vanity House Designs is an excellent pick. Look for a full roster of activations during the the weeks ahead. Highlights include:
- October 30th 1pm-5pm – Halloween Extravaganza
- November 25th – December 24th – Photos with Santa
- Every Monday during Holiday Season: November 28th, December 5th, 12th, 19th – Pet Day Santa Photos
- December 3rd 7pm-8pm – Holiday Tree Lighting featuring live performances
- December 10th 10am-11am – Breakfast with Santa
- Every Friday in December: December 2nd, 9th, 16th 6pm-7pm – Sounds of the Season Holiday Caroling Performances
- November – December – Giving Tree to Benefit Salvation Army (exact dates TBD)
To learn more, sign up for the Empire Outlets e-newsletter; text alerts are available by texting EMPIRE to 929-357-2412.
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