NYC has been spending time at the top of the nation's hotel occupancy rates, with room rates on the rise. The latest national forecasts predict quick growth for all segments of travel despite inflationary pressures. The recent repeal of Covid testing requirements for inbound international travelers is projected to result in rapid growth through the end of the year. In the near-term, domestic leisure travel will remain the main driver of recovery. Vacation confidence remains at an all-time high.
The tourist boomlet can be seen in Times Square, where The City reports Virgil’s Real Barbeque is back to 2019 revenue and Carmine’s is exceeding its 2019 volume (day trippers are the local laggards according to the article). Checking the Times Square Alliance's June pedestrian numbers, they're double those of a year ago. Other recent stats include:
The Pershing Square Sounds series continues, with free Tuesday lunchtime shows and Thursday happy hour performances. Catch it weekly through the end of August. Photo by Goor Studio on behalf of Grand Central Partnership.
LINKS OF INTEREST
NYC
- Travel + Leisure announces 2022 World's Best Awards, New York is #6 U.S. city, The Lowell scores Top City Hotel in the Continental U.S.
- World’s 50 Best restaurant rankings awards Atomix top U.S. spot
- Una Pizza Napoletana named best pizzeria in the U.S. (Ribalta NYC takes third)
- Carnival Cruise Line is back in NYC
- Athletic-lifestyle player Wilson opens new Columbus Circle location
- The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad opened yesterday
- Hotel Indigo Williamsburg has reopened
- New members' club and hotel The Ned NoMad is now open
- For the first time in 10 years, the New York Aquarium is fully open
- Legendary Di Fara Pizza now available in the Seaport
- New downtown food hall Urbanspace Pearl now open
- Ferragamo launches SoHo concept store
- London jewelry brand Astrid & Miyu opens first U.S. store
- New lobby bar ups the opulence at Hotel Chelsea
- Met Museum raises admission for out of town visitors
- Majority of New York hotels to ban guns
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Congratulations to the Empire State Building, named the #1 attraction in the U.S. (#3 worldwide) by Tripadvisor Travelers in the 2022 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best. On Saturday mornings through the end of October, visitors cam take advantage of the limited-edition Sunrise Experience, with free coffee and the thrill of being the first in New York to catch a new day dawning from the 86th Floor Observatory.
BEYOND NYC
- Hotel industry continues to improve despite inflationary pressures
- U.S. extension of Covid public emergency through at least October 13th shouldn't impact travel
- Tourism Economics predicts U.S. avoids recession
- Short-staffed hotels are hiring robots and labor unions are pushing back
- Abortion laws to have major impact on event destination decisions
CLOSING TIME
- Hale and Hearty closes 16 locations
- Last Jekyll & Hyde Club location in West Village is done
- FiDI Bobby Van's is no more
- Mission Chinese is through with New York at the end of July
- The Walker Hotel's Mena closes after just 5 months
- Indie music venue Knitting Factory ends its run August 21st
- Upscale sports bar The Ainsworth gives up its East Village location
- Stewart Hotel in Chelsea to be converted to apartments
- Demolition plans could spell end for Papaya King flagship
CONCIERGE NIGHTS WITH CITY GUIDE
Jake David Smith (Prince Oliver), Arielle Jacobs (Delilah) in Between The Lines. Photo by Matthew Murphy.
City Guide's concierge nights are back in full swing, including a recent visit to Benjamin Steakhouse, followed by a performance of new musical Between The Lines. Between The Lines tells the story of Delilah, an outsider at a new school who seeks comfort in the pages of her favorite book, where she feels heard and understood. But as the lines between reality and fantasy begin to blur in extraordinary ways, Delilah has to confront whether she alone has the power to rewrite her own story. Running through October 2nd at the Tony Kiser Theater.
