JUNE 1, 2023

ON TRACK FOR A VERY BUSY SUMMER

Good weather brought out the crowds over the weekend, with another successful Fleet Week in the books. The latest data supports what we're seeing on the ground—the city is booming. 

• A four-week tally of the top 25 hotel markets shows NYC at the top, with 86.5% occupancy—a sharp 6% gain driven by improved Monday-Wednesday performance. The week ending May 20th was even stronger, with occupancy at 89.5% and room nights sold at their highest point of the year. ADR was at 117% of the 2019 benchmark.
• Transit numbers continue to rise, with Metro-North and the LIRR setting post-COVID records for ridership; last month also saw increased ridership on subways and buses.
• The latest Amadeus Hospitality Market Insights Report notes NYC is the #2 market worldwide for air arrivals for June, trailing only London.
• NYC is just 25,000 jobs away from a full COVID recovery.
• National air traffic over Memorial Day exceeded pre-pandemic numbers.
• The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports traveler confidence is high, with 79% having summer trips planned; forward bookings data is 35% higher than 2022.

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• NYC's outdoor dining is here to stay (seasonally)
• 2022-2023 Broadway grosses are out (12.28 million tickets sold!)
• Alert the F&B side: Eventbrite notes a surge in NYC food and drink events by 32%
• Hudson Hotel bound for residential conversion
• Luxury luggage house Tumi now open on Madison Ave.
• Dine Around Downtown Community Food Festival returns Tuesday, June 6th
• The 41st Annual Mermaid Parade returns Saturday, June 17th

BEYOND NYC

• Business travel finally bouncing back as mindsets shift
• Small meetings and blended travel are helping lead the way
• Travel still outperforming other spending
• Despite competition from short-term rentals, outlook for hotels is still strong
• Mastercard's Travel Industry Trends 2023 report notes travelers are increasingly seeking unique experiences, with spending up 65% (against a 12% increase in spending on things)
• Pricing pressure isn't dampening travel per The Experience Economy Endures: 2023 Deloitte Summer Travel Survey
• What to expect from the return of Chinese travelers
• Good for New York? Domestic airfare down, international up
• US Travel Association says country must "evolve" to stay competitive in travel
• Expedia Group already leaning on ChatGPT
• IPW in San Antonio sees U.S. inbound travel remaining strong
• Middle-aged Millennials are low-key out-spending Boomers on luxury travel
• Disney's Star Wars hotel to close
• New in lux travel: clienteling

CITY HALL CRIME & SAFETY

• City Hall is focusing on retail theft with a new holistic strategy derived from a summit of retailers, law enforcement, union leaders, and BIDs. A blend of social programs and law enforcement will be used. The mayor's office notes that only 327 repeat offenders account for 30% of shoplifting arrests.

Tech giants have gutted publishing. Now digital fatigue is giving print a new lease on life

Last week, Fortune magazine published an article by Davler CEO David Miller detailing the resurgence of the print publishing industry. Key takeaways include:

• Magazine readership has been increasing for the past decade
• Most magazine readers still prefer print over reading magazines online
• Time spent reading print is valued, with readers committing more minutes to print than online articles
• Print appeals to a broad age range, with two-thirds of adults aged 18 to 34 loyal to the tactile experience of print
• Print is well-positioned to serve the growing trend of "digital detox"
• Print's less intrusive nature gives it much more impact than digital advertising

Read the full article here.

MAY 18, 2023

GREAT NYC SUMMER TOURISM NUMBERS—ARE YOU READY?

U.S travelers are protecting their travel budgets this year, despite inflation. Data, for NYC and beyond, points to a strong summer. And there is good news for travel on the inflation front—the latest government figures show "the cost of many services, including airline fares and hotel rooms, plunged" last month. Other promising data points:

• NYC airports set quarterly records with 32 million travelers; the TSA is predicting record air travel this summer
• Memorial Day Weekend travel expected to break records; NYC remains a top destination
• The Empire State Building is off to a strong start on the year, with visitors up 65% over a year ago
• The latest report from the New York City Economic Development Corporation notes a substantial improvement in tourism metrics; domestic visitor spending is at 110% of pre-pandemic levels
• The MTA has recorded 4 million daily subway riders for the fifth time in less than a month; weekend ridership has reached 80% of its pre-COVID baseline and weekend service will increase in frequency
• NYC Ferry set records, with over 1 million quarterly passengers
• Expedia has New York as the #1 domestic destination this summer
• Tripadvisor's summer travel index notes the return of cities, shows NYC as a top-5 domestic destination; spends will be up and Millennials are eager
• New York made Allianz Partners's Top 10 Summer Travel Destinations, noting that three-fourths of booked U.S. travel this summer will be domestic. Big cities are continuing to return to popularity.

We are feeling very positive about summer and the state of NYC tourism.

THE WOMEN IN TOURISM AWARDS

Nineteen amazing honorees were celebrated at City Guide's Second Annual Women In Tourism Awards, presented by American Airlines. Betsy Wolfe, the Tony-nominated star of Broadway's & Juliet, served as emcee, keeping an audience of nearly 300 guests laughing as she led the awards ceremony. Congrats to all the honorees, representing NYC in everything from attractions to concierge to restaurants, retail, theater, and tour guides. You can learn more about the honorees here. Women In Tourism was also an opportunity to contribute to the future of our industry by establishing a scholarship and welcoming in hospitality and tourism students.

The luncheon was a perfect opportunity to connect and celebrate—we've got great pictures here.

TOURISM STAT PACK

CRIME AND SAFETY NEWS

NYPD
CRIME IS TRENDING DOWN

• The latest crime stats show shootings, murders, robberies, and burglaries are all down across NYC. 
• Shootings in April were down 31.4% over 2022, extending the 25.4% decrease citywide through the first four months of 2023.
• Police officers have seized 2,281 guns from the streets of New York City through the first four months of 2023.
• Shoplifting declined 7.9% last month thanks to an increased NYPD focus.

MTA

• LIRR and Metro-North both set post-pandemic ridership records, with more than 200,000 passengers each yesterday; it was Metro-North's best day since March 6th, 2020.

Photo: Deonté Lee/BFA.com.

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• Empty office space a sign that New York City is evolving into a new phase
• Midday lunch volume increasing
• It's back! Century 21 reopened its familiar Cortlandt Street flagship on Tuesday (Mayor Adams above)
• Al fresco terrace Bar Harta now open in the Grayson Hotel
• SoCal-style SOL Mexican Cocina now open in the Flatiron
• Home goods brand Parachute opens new flagship in the Flatiron 
• FREEHOLD Rooftop opening on the 17th floor of the POD 39 Hotel
• The Lookup rooftop bar atop the Kixby has reopened
• Restaurant Row gains a new Argentinian bistro, Palermo
• Harry Potter: The Exhibition opening near Herald Square on May 19th
• Global lifestyle retailer Miniso opening a Times Square flagship on May 19th
• New $50 million footbridge will connect the High Line and Moynihan Train Hall, opening next month
• Fashion brand Never Fully Dressed opening flagship store in SoHo on June 8th
• Paramount+ Movie Nights at Bryant Park launch June 12th

BEYOND NYC

• The U.S. has ended all COVID vaccination requirements for entry
• Global travel and tourism will have recovered by more than 95% this year, will surpass 2019 peak next year
• Hyatt CEO touts "exceptional" quarter with 43% RevPAR gain
• Full return of business travel boosts hotels
• Premium and luxury segments of travel are booming
• U.S. to allow more flights from China

CLOSING TIME

• After 30 years in midtown, Ruth’s Chris Steak House is done
• After 170 midtown years, Hammacher Schlemmer to close up shop

TOURISM NEWS, APRIL 27, 2023

It's not just the warming weather that has the city feeling more lively. New York City has been witnessing the highest year-over-year increases in occupancy (+6.3% to 82.2%) and RevPAR (+19.4% to $232.80) among the top U.S. hotel markets. That takes us to 95% of the 2019 benchmark in demand. Other rebound data points include:

• The latest jobs report for NYC showed growth in arts, entertainment, and recreation—museums, performing arts, and amusements all added employees. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli reports leisure and hotel revenue are on pace to exceed pre-pandemic levels. Taxable sales grew 52.2% fiscal year over year.
• The MTA keeps setting passenger records. Subway rides hit 4 million for first time since COVID last Thursday. Two days before, Metro-North hit its pandemic-era peak. Already the LIRR has recorded over 1 million paying customers traveling through Grand Central Madison Terminal. 
• Delta's CEO predicts a record summer, with the most popular destinations expected to be New York City, Las Vegas, Orlando, and London. 
• New stats from the U.S. Travel Association show direct spending on travel in the United States reached $1.2 trillion in 2022, on par with pre-pandemic levels, producing an economic footprint of $2.6 trillion. Hotel demand is at 98% of pre-pandemic numbers. Air ticket sales last month jumped 22% year over year to set an all-time record.
• New data from the National Travel and Tourism Office shows a record $16.9 billion spend from international visitors, up 64% over the same period a year ago and the 23rd consecutive month of year-over-year gains. NYC is seeing its share—our colleagues in the hotels are requesting more City Guides and City Maps as they report increases in tourists.

Now on view at Hall des Lumières, Destination Cosmos: The Immersive Space Experience.

CRIME & SAFETY UPDATE

Manhattan crime has been in the headlines of late, but despite some portrayals of a "crime wave," the stats are actually moving in a positive direction.

• The city's violent crime rate has remained flat for the last decade and major crimes are declining this year.
• Just 327 people are responsible for one-third of the city's shoplifting arrests.
• A recent Politico article takes a deep dive into gun violence, breaking out data by regional identity. NYC is part of the "New Netherland" zone, which is "far and away the safest part of the U.S. mainland when it comes to gun violence." Rates here are between three to four times lower than more problematic regions.

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• Manhattan apartment rents hit new highs as decline in office occupancy accelerates
• Manhattan Community Board 5 gives Madison Square Garden three years to relocate
• Hale and Hearty to rise again
• Luxury Italian cashmere pros Falconeri opening in SoHo
• Renovated Restaurant Marc Forgione reopens in Tribeca
• Celebrated Chef Dan Kluger opens Greywind near Hudson Yards
• Now open in Midtown East, new bar and grill Benny John's
• Look Dine-In Cinemas opening in Hell's Kitchen May 4th
• The Beast is back for the season, starting May 6th
• New York City Tourism + Conventions announces It’s Time for Culture specials, May 9th-21st
• Citi Field Spring Carnival May 10th-14th
• Aspen Hospitality unveils early-stage plans to expand Little Nell hotel concept to Rock Center

NATIONAL DATA

• The latest consumer travel habits show 47% of survey respondents rank a vacation as their top discretionary spend.
• The latest U.S. hotel pipeline report shows 3.4% growth in upper-upscale hotel projects, well above growth average and a sign that business and group travel are returning.
• Business travelers are skewing younger—Millennials make up 29% of the national population but account for 38% of frequent business travelers; corporate travel spending in the U.S. and Europe nearly doubled last year.
• Tripadvisor received 1.3 million fake reviews last year, managed to flag about three-fourths of them.

APRIL 13, 2023

The summer travel picture is coming into sharper focus, with 70% of Americans intending to travel. Expected travel spends are spiking up to an eye-popping $4,339 from $2,581 just one year ago. Hospitality jobs led employment gains last month, though more hiring is still needed to meet elevated travel demand.

• NYC hotels are at a full recovery of the pre-pandemic benchmark, with mid-March registering the most room nights sold since early December (source: New York City Tourism + Conventions).
• The New York City Tourism + Conventions annual report is out. Among trends worth noting: the UK and Canada have returned to the top of international markets. France, Germany, Spain, and Italy together were at 75% of benchmark 2019 levels last year.
• Extended stay pioneer AKA reports lengthening booking windows for NYC for spring; the majority of guests booking are from California, New York, Florida, and Texas.
• Broadway remains strong, with grosses jumping 5.1% last week against the previous week, with the same number of shows. Three shows set box office records.

NYC CRIME AND SAFETY UPDATE

"Intelligence-Driven Policing Continues to Reduce Shootings, Murders, and Other Violent Crime" is the headline for the most recent crime stats. Specifically, March 2023 against March 2022 sees a 26% drop in shootings, extending the 23% drop in shooting incidents citywide through the first quarter of 2023. Homicides are likewise down 11.4% for March, and overall index crime was flat.

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• WFH in NYC increasing economic reliance on tourism
• North River Lobster Company reopening for the season on Thursday
• Upper East Side Papaya King to reign again, across the street
• Mareluna opens second location in the Flatiron
• Bourbon & Branch opens near Penn Station
• New immersive the House of Cannabis now open in SoHo.
• Tiffany and Co. to reopen flagship “The Landmark” April 28th
• South Street Seaport Museum now pay-what-you-wish

BEYOND NYC

• ChatGPT travel planning: lack of specifics, factual errors
• Beach destinations soften as cities (and city marketing budgets) come back
• Air travel demand approaching pre-pandemic numbers
• Europe is 14% more expensive than last fall as dollar weakens

CLOSING TIME

• Trio of midtown Japanese restaurants to close
• Food court the Williamsburg Market shutters without warning
• Village Jekyll and Hyde officially done

MARCH 30, 2023

The most recent numbers point to a busy spring for NYC tourism, with many signs of recovery.

• New York City saw a successful St. Patrick's Day this year. A report by SpendTrend from Fiserv breaks out the numbers, with New York City seeing a 40.9% increase in restaurant and bar spending compared to 2022. (That translates to a 6.1% increase over the previous week, a reminder that occasions provide significant bumps in spending.)
• Room demand reached 698,247 room nights sold for the week ending March 11th, which reflects 98% of the 2019 benchmark.
• Broadway remains strong as well, with last week seeing a 19% boost in grosses week over week (and that with only two new shows opening). The Phantom of the Opera pulled in a staggering $3 million, the highest weekly gross in its 35-year run.
• The subway set a post-Covid ridership record, with March 16th seeing 3.94 million riders; that same day OMNY was over 2 million taps for the first time ever.

Nationally the news is good as well.

• Airline demand remains red-hot going into summer.
• Strong summer prospects carry across the industry. "We aren't seeing any dip in demand," reports Hayley Berg, lead economist at travel app Hopper.
• The latest data on international travelers in the U.S. shows a 64% increase over 2022, reflecting 22 straight months of gains over the year prior.
• 75% of travel managers expect domestic business travel and external meetings travel volumes to reach pre-pandemic levels by the end of this year; economic headwinds have not reduced demand.

CRIME & SAFETY NOTES

MAYOR'S OFFICE

• The Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice Director Deanna Logan delivered a presentation on recidivism (stats above), showing a very small number of people are responsible for a significant number of crimes. "As frustrating as that is," Mayor Adams notes, "it also gives us the information we need to refine our tools and utilize precision policing to drive crime down."

MTA

• By the end of March, NYC Transit will have completed Re-NEW-vations at 21 stations citywide, including repainting, better lighting, new signage, and deep cleaning.
• Booth attendants will be getting out of the booth in a new initiative to improve customer service. "It's a great thing, especially for tourists," observes MTA Chairman Janno Lieber.

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• NYC & Company rebrands to New York City Tourism + Conventions
• New Hudson River Park food hall Market 57 opens Saturday
• Food fest Smorgasburg opens for the season Friday at the Oculus Plaza, Saturday at Marsha P. Johnson State Park in Williamsburg, and Sunday in Prospect Park
• Fine dining Korean spot Anto now open in Midtown East
• Albert's Bar now open, bringing cocktail culture to Midtown East
• French-inspired brasserie The Consulate opens second location in Midtown West
• Eli’s Table reopens on the Upper East Side
• The Empire State Building launches a new sunrise experience on Saturday, in partnership with the Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building
• CityPickle will take over Wollman Rink for pickleball, April 7th through early October
• Diverging retail fates: SoHo turns to luxury brands and thrives while Union Square languishes with too many large spaces
• NYC takes top spot as world's most expensive city for business travel

BEYOND NYC

• Expedia Group and Kayak are first travel companies to integrate with ChatGPT
• Open Table adds ChatGPT restaurant recs
• New app Deets to counter "garbage" Tripadvisor and Yelp reviews
• American Express Travel released its 2023 Global Travel Trends Report, reflecting a rising interest in food tourism' travel remains a top priority among Gen Z and Millennials
• Visa wait times remain high for potential U.S. visitors

CLOSING TIME

• After eight decades, Upper East Side standby Neil's Coffee Shop is done
• ...as is nearby 3 Guys Restaurant on Carnegie Hill

NYCACH ELECTS 2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The New York City Association of Hotel Concierges (NYCAHC) has elected its 2023 Board of Directors. Congrats to Bill Hawkins, who will continue his second term as President, Charlie Loor, continuing his role as Vice President, and the rest of the leadership team.

MARCH 16, 2023

MANY ENCOURAGING DATA POINTS FOR SPRING TOURISM IN NYC

The most recent numbers point to a busy spring for NYC tourism, with many signs of recovery.

• Statue City Cruises is extending its service as 2023 traffic hits 94% of pre-pandemic levels. International visitation is at 36%, with increases from the UK, France, Canada, Brazil, and Mexico.
• Broadway's spring season is boosting box office numbers. Chicago just set a record for its highest-grossing non-holiday week ever, with attendance up 8%. Across Broadway, attendance last week was up 14% from the previous week. 
• Occupancy rates at New York hotels reached 76.7% in the week ending February 25th, just 1% off 2019's rate and 16% above one year ago.
• Traffic at the area’s three major airports rose about 50% in January, according to Port Authority data.
• Revised job numbers show the city is at 99.3% of its pre-pandemic strength.

Nationally the news is good as well. 

• February marked the second time since the pandemic, and the second month in a row, that domestic air travel numbers exceeded pre-coronavirus totals; thanks in part to the return of Chinese travelers, international air travel is up as well. Trip.com expects Chinese outbound travel to gain momentum in the second quarter. The CDC has dropped COVID-19 testing for travelers arriving from China.
• In February, Expedia data showed that flight searches for March and April travel were up 40% compared to last year; NYC's spring break search volume was up as well.
• Following fourth-quarter gains, CBRE Hotels Research has raised its 2023 forecasts, especially in the first quarter. RevPAR is expected to set records.

Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace returns for its second year at The Rink at Rockefeller Center. The season will run April 14th through October.

MARCH TOURISM STAT PACK

CRIME AND SAFETY NEWS

NYPD

• For the month of February 2023, overall index crime declined by 5.6% compared to February 2022.

MAYOR'S OFFICE

• Over 4,000 New Yorkers have accepted shelter since the launch of Mayor Adams' Subway Safety Plan. 

MTA

• Michael Kemper, Acting Chief of Transit, NYPD, characterizes efforts to reduce transit crime as “swift and significant.” The recorded felony crime over the last four months in transit is the second-lowest for that span in the CompStat era (trailing only one COVID-era stretch). On the other side of the ledger, summonses are up 83.5%. Kemper added, "As encouraged as we are, by no means are we claiming victory. Our work is not done."
• The LIRR has already adjusted Grand Central Madison service to better meet demand.
• First new subway car fleet in five years rolls with cutting-edge R211 trains.

MADAME TUSSAUDS TIMES SQUARE

A huge thank you from Davler Media/City Guide to Tiago Mogadouro and everyone at Madame Tussauds Times Square for a great visit yesterday. Tiago spoke with us about Madame Tussauds commitment to 42nd Street and ongoing efforts on behalf of the area's recovery. Those of us who hadn't been to the attraction for a few years were blown away by the improvements—Merlin Entertainments has invested many millions of dollars on new immersions and it really shows. The flow of the experience has been greatly improved and we had a blast taking selfies and interacting. If you haven't been for a while, MT is definitely worth a fresh visit. Visitors to the city will appreciate the many areas here that show off New York City themes.

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• Broadway outlook is strong—Broadway League President Charlotte St. Martin credits the return of domestic tourism
• ...and ticket sales and attendance have jumped
• Pedestrian plazas, car-free blocks coming to Broadway between Madison and Herald Squares
• Ballooning costs doom AirTrain to La Guardia...
• ...but funding is coming for other city megaprojects
• Flatiron Building to be auctioned off March 22nd
• Moxy Hotels adds sixth New York property with debut of Moxy Williamsburg
• Long-running dive Subway Inn back open in new location
• The Press Club Grill now open at the historic Martinique Hotel
• Allora Ristorante opens new location at Le Méridien New York, Fifth Avenue
• Seafood-forward Principe now open in SoHo
• Serafina Restaurant Group opening second location of Brasserie Cognac at Hotel 48LEX next Tuesday
• China Institute Gallery grand reopening next Tuesday

BEYOND NYC

• 2 million unfilled travel and tourism jobs threaten industry's growth
• Hologram concierge rolls out at Aiden by Best Western
• What the new Chinese traveler will look like

CLOSING TIME

• Hilton New York JFK Airport shuttering in June
• Final location of Cambodian sandwich shop Num Pang has closed
• New York financial authorities have taken possession of Signature Bank

MARCH 2, 2023

As recession forecasts get pushed back later into 2023 we are seeing continuing growth in the prospects for tourism.

• A recent analysis of Google search data reveals New York is the top American holiday destination across 21 nations, including the UK, Norway, the Netherlands. Canada, Mexico, and South Africa. Another 40 countries rank New York second.
• International travel to the U.S. is expected to be up 20% this year, according to the National Travel and Tourism Office. By 2024 we are expected to exceed 2019 numbers. The report details trends by nation, with Mexico, India, Ireland, and the Netherlands among countries expected to exceed their 2019 travel volume in 2024.
• New York City is a top-5 trending domestic destination for spring break 2023, with interest up over previous years. Beyond NYC, travel demand for spring break is surging despite rising prices.
• The latest numbers from Hyatt and Wyndham show strong results carrying over into 2023. Sales at retail stores and restaurants jumped 3% last month, suggesting consumers remain willing to spend. Traveler confidence has increased globally, as evidenced by lengthening search windows and earlier planning for 2023 travel.

A fresh photo op for midtown as the Garment District Alliance (GDA) unveils its new Big Button sculpture. Credit: Alexandre Ayer / @DiversityPics. 

MTA/City Hall News

• Deputy Mayor Philip Banks is now hosting regular public safety briefings for the public on the NYC Mayor's Office's YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter pages at 12 noon.
• The MTA launched full service for Grand Central Madison on Monday, bringing up to 24 trains per hour and 274 additional trains per weekday. By day three of the new schedules, the LIRR was carrying 60,652 morning peak passengers, with 71% headed to Penn and 29% to Grand Central.
• Also this week, the MTA opened three new subway Customer Service Centers, bringing the total to six. New locations are 34 St-Penn Station, Flushing-Main St, and St. George SIR.

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• Dining sheds to become seasonal under new City Council plan
• Congrats to The Mark, near the top of U.S. News & World Report's Best Hotels in the USA
• Stone Street boutique The FIDI Hotel now taking reservations beginning March 13th
• Indoor/outdoor Everdene now open at Virgin Hotels New York City
• New piano bar The Wallace Lounge now open at The Wallace Hotel
• Theatre District comfort food coming in May with second Carnegie Diner & Cafe outpost
• Perelman Performing Arts Center to open as cultural keystone of the World Trade Center site this September

RETURN ENGAGEMENTS

• Century 21 could be back in its Cortlandt Street flagship as early as April 25th
• Daniel Boulud to revive Cafe Boulud on East 63rd Street
• Upper East Side Barnes & Noble to reopen this spring
• THE RIDE returning to the road this spring

BEYOND NYC

• New York State launches ‘I LOVE NY Black’ travel initiative
• Forward bookings lead expectations for group travel recovery momentum to carry through 2023
• U.S. Travel calls for urgent federal action to rebuild inbound travel
• U.S. State Department responds to inbound visa delay mess

CLOSING TIME

• LA transplant Gjelina burns out in less than a month
• Lenny’s Pizza of Saturday Night Fever fame done after 70 years
• Party's over at Party City, closing two Manhattan and one Bronx store
• Funny Girl sets closing date on Broadway

Be on the lookout for the new edition of City Map, which is starting delivery. The spring 2023 version is expanded in size while retaining popular features like the detailed Manhattan central map and focused coverage of theater and attractions.

FEBRUARY 16, 2023

We have the latest data here, which includes encouraging stats on both lodging and safety. Read on for more, including city announcements (new destinations and departures) and rising trends in tourism. 

• January Bookings Indicate Growing Traveler Confidence for 2023. The first month of the year is often a bellwether and U.S. consumers recorded a 27% increase over January, 2022 in rental bookings.
• The leisure and hospitality sectors added 128,000 jobs in January, helping bring unemployment to its lowest level since 1969.
• The latest reports in lodging are all excellent, with Airbnb setting records, along with similar reports from major hoteliers, who are benefiting from luxury, upmarket, and group travel rebounds.
• In New York City, the latest data shows Increases in occupancy, ADR, and revenue per available room continuing to accelerate across Manhattan. Midtown East and West had the largest increase in RevPAR (66% and 64% respectively). Growth in occupancy at full-service hotels outpaced limited-service hotels.

FOURTH QUARTER STAT PACK

NYC CRIME/SAFETY NEWS

MTA

• MTA unveils first dedicated customer service centers at three subway stations in the New York City Transit System
• Major crimes in transit decreased 29.3% for January 2023, compared to January 2022, led by a 44.3% reduction in grand larceny and a 20.7% reduction in robbery. The subway system’s downward crime trend has been steady since additional deployment began last fall.

NYPD

• January's crime stats show citywide shooting incidents decreased in January by 26.3%, further extending the double-digit declines of 2022, driven by steep reductions in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan.
• Arrests for overall index crimes are at a 24-year high.
• NYPD representatives at the Broadway Association February luncheon noted the size of the unit that patrols Times Square has more than doubled, up to 137 officers from 65, leading to a dip in crime. Training in improved tourist-friendly interactions has been added and there is an increased, full-time night police presence.
• The NYPD has published its 2023 Strategic Plan, with "promoting public safety and respect through the evolution of Neighborhood Policing" one of the priorities.

NEIGHBORHOODS

• A multi-agency response to safety led by Barbara Askins, President and CEO of the 125th Street Business Improvement District, could serve as a model for other neighborhoods.
• Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg touts new approaches to mental health and substance abuse outreach with two-prong $9 million initiative

LINKS OF INTEREST

"Geo,” the Downtown Alliance’s newest public art installation, is now on view at the plaza in front of 140 Broadway. The installation is on view through March 30th. Image courtesy Downtown Alliance.

NYC

• Virgin Hotels New York City enters soft opening mode in NoMad
• Legends Hospitality to take over Central Park’s Loeb Boathouse
• Independent book store McNally Jackson now open in Rock Center
• New Broadway hang Friki Tiki now open in Hell's Kitchen
• Quality Branded opening contemporary Italian spot Bad Roman on Friday at The Shops at Columbus Circle
• New Tuscan restaurant Duomo 51, with terrace views of Rock Center, opening next Thursday
• Manhattan's first beach opening this summer, along the Hudson River just north of West 12th Street
• Ian Schrager and Ed Scheetz ride to the rescue of Brooklyn's Bossert Hotel
• Macy's Flower Show returns, March 26th-April 10th

BEYOND NYC

• Live experiences group Fever gets $110 million infusion
• Meta reports travel was a 4th quarter bright spot
• Luxury and group booking rebounds leading to a record quarter for Marriott, which is now exceeding pre-pandemic growth
• Upmarket shift leading to a record quarter for Choice Hotels
• Hilton Q4 business travel tops 2019 levels

CLOSING TIME

• VR World is done
• After more than a century, America's oldest cheese shop, Alleva Dairy in Little Italy, ends its run
• After two decades, Regal Union Square pulls the curtain
• Bed Bath & Beyond closing locations downtown, on the Upper West Side, and Kips Bay—but keeping Chelsea for now

STAT PACK

A MESMERIZING VISIT TO HALL DES LUMIÈRES

Yesterday City Guide was hosted by Hall des Lumières, the first North American location from exhibition leader Culturespaces. Gustav Klimt: Gold in Motion immerses viewers in living paintings, making use of cutting-edge mapping technology. A Beaux-Arts landmark bank provides the setting, complementing the artwork with an ornate restored interior. Hall des Lumières is a must-see addition to downtown tourist itineraries, adding variety to stops like One World, the Oculus, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the 9/11 Memorial Museum.

CITY GUIDE'S ANNUAL TOURISM SEMINAR

Last month, City Guide’s Annual Tourism Seminar brought together an all-star panel of presenters to share market and sales data across most segments of the industry. One hundred industry executives exchanged ideas over breakfast at the Redeye Grill. If you missed the event, you can still experience it through videos of the presentations here:

• Introduction by Fred Dixon, President & CEO NYC & Company
   
• Major NYC Tourism Sectors Panel
  VIJAY DANDAPANI, CEO & President, Hotel Association NYC
  BOB HOFMANN, Vice President of Broadway Inbound, Inc.
  ANDREW RIGIE, Executive Director, NYC Hospitality Alliance
  Moderator, ELI MARCUS, Executive Director, City Guide
   
• Government Panel
  PHILIP BANKS III, Deputy Mayor
  EUGENE RIBEIRO, MTA New York City Transit Director
  TOM HARRIS, President, Times Square Alliance
  Moderator, ETHAN WOLFF, Director, Content Management, City Guide
   
• NYC Destinations and Attractions Panel
  SUSAN MARENOFF-ZAUSNER, President, Intrepid Museum
  DELFIN ORTIZ, Managing Director, One World Observatory
  SOPHIE WRIGHT, Executive Director, Fotografiska
  Moderator, VINCENT TIMPONE, Executive Director, City Guide

FEBRUARY 2, 2023

As we start month two of 2023, there is optimism about the state of travel. January hotel occupancy matched January, 2019 in NYC. National data supports the strength of NYC's tourism recovery:

• Inflation is not squeezing out travel, consumers are instead willing to spend more according to a survey by market research firm STR. Travelers report readiness to pay more than they did pre-pandemic for transportation, dining, accommodations, and experiences (shopping is the lone exception).

• Executives at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit say they have "yet to see any tapering off in demand—or pushback on high rates"; they predict the first quarter of 2023 will be the strongest for travel, with hotel demand slowing by the second quarter due to the economy. (The current historically short booking windows make forecasting more challenging.) Any recession this year is expected to be "brief" and "mild," according to Ryan Meliker, President of Lodging Analytics Research & Consulting.

• Search traffic increases in December on Tripadvisor, Expedia, and Booking.com augur well for 2023, with Booking.com up 28% over the previous year. Month-over-month growth averaged 8% for all three, suggesting 2022 momentum continuing into 2023. “People are choosing experiences over other types of purchases with their discretionary income, and of those experiences they are choosing to travel," according to Jim Corridore, Senior Insights Manager for Similarweb.

Tripadvisors' Best of the Best has picked New York City as the #1 most popular U.S. destination in 2023. The World Travel and Tourism Council’s Cities Economic Impact report notes that growth is slowing for rural destinations as cities bounce back. New York was #1 in the U.S. for international spend in 2022 ($12.45 billion) and the WTTC expects us to maintain that position this year. Trip.com Group CEO Jane Sun predicts global travel for China will be back by the third quarter; already Chinese outbound travel has started to boom, with air bookings to Southeast Asia up 864% year over year.

Grand Central Madison, bringing the LIRR to the east side, has finally opened. The new station will also ease connections from JFK to Manhattan.

CRIME/SAFETY NEWS

MTA

• The subways have not been this safe since before the pandemic.
• Major crimes dropped 16% in the three months since late October, when more officers were assigned to the subway.
• Last month marked the second lowest level of transit crime in any January since 1993.
• The MTA customer satisfaction survey in December 2022 reflected a spike in riders feeling safer, up 18%, with close to 60% of respondents feeling "safer" or "much safer" on trains and in stations. Since the start of surveys last spring, this is the largest single-month increase.
• There are now 10 Safe Options Support teams, comprised of specially trained mental health practitioners, helping to transition the estimated 3,900 individuals living on the street or in the subway system into stable living environments. Already 650 individuals have been enrolled in Critical Time Intervention services.

MAYOR'S OFFICE

• Mayor Adams' State of the City address highlighted a crackdown on repeat offenders. The recidivism crisis is fueled by 1,700 individuals. The Mayor also noted new efforts aimed at curbing rats, traffic violations, and illegal weed shops.

Last week City Guide brought together 50+ concierge for drinks, bites, and private tours of the 3 bars, 12 restaurants, and multiple markets of the Tin Building in the Seaport.

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC—MANY OPENINGS

• Mayor Adams launches newsletter to counteract "distorted" NYC press coverage
• Spanish boutique Lladró opens new location in the Meatpacking
• Las Vegas Sands eying Long Island as meetings and tourism draw
• Midtown's comeback led by upscale dining
• Best Western Plus Soho Hotel has opened downtown
• New Serafina to open February 7th in the NH Collection New York Madison Avenue Hotel
• Black-owned, Brooklyn-born roller skating with The Roller Wave popping up at Brooklyn’s Atlantic Terminal Mall starting February 11th
• Pop up Small is Beautiful: Miniature Art Exhibition opens in NoHo February 21st
• Kids' Night on Broadway returns Tuesday, March 21st
• Delmonico's to return to Beaver Street this fall

BEYOND NYC

• U.S. hotel forecast still strong for 2023 despite recession concerns
• ChatGPT will impact travel planning—but is lacking human touch
• (And arguably will be good for travel experts as it will make original planning more valuable)
• Among 2023 predictions, Clayton Reid, Executive Chairman, MMGY Global, says travel next year will grow beyond projections
• United Airlines beats expectations, stays bullish on 2023
• Survey results suggest Americans unhappy with short-term vacation rentals

CLOSING TIME

• Room Mate Grace in Times Square has closed
• Ruth’s Chris Steak House to leave Midtown West
• Bookforum turns the page

JANUARY 18, 2023: ANNUAL TOURISM SEMINAR

PRESENTERS: Fred Dixon, Pres/CEO, NYC & Company, Delfin Ortiz, Mng Dir, Legends/One World Observatory, Sophie Wright, Exec. Dir, Fotogafiska, David Miller, CEO, Davler Media, Bob Hofmann VP, Broadway Inbound, Vijay Dandapani, Pres/CEO Hotel Association of NYC, Tom Harris, Pres, Times Square Alliance, Andrew Rigie, Exec Dir, NYC Hospitality Alliance, Shanifah Rieara, Acting Chief Communications Officer MTA, Susan Marenoff-Zausner, Pres, Intrepid Museum (missing from photo: Deputy Mayor Philip Banks III)

Last Tuesday, City Guide’s Annual Tourism Seminar brought together an all-star panel of presenters to share market and sales data across most segments of the industry. One hundred industry executives exchanged ideas over breakfast at the Redeye Grill. 

Fred Dixon, President and CEO of New York & Company, was very upbeat about 2023 in his introductory remarks. Dixon relayed the strength of the fourth quarter, an expected surge in day trip numbers for 2023, New York's status as the safest big city in the U.S., and that “domestic travel is coming back in a huge, huge way.”

Data highlights: 

• NYC welcomed about 56 million tourists in 2022, domestic tourism mostly recovered from pre-pandemic levels, international is still lagging, but improving. The projection is for 61MM tourists in 2023.
• Broadway, hotels, attractions, and museums all reported great holiday sales numbers. Several presenters said they reached or exceeded pre-COVID levels in December.
• The government-affiliated presenters shared the initiatives in place to reduce crime, improve cleanliness, and help individuals experiencing mental health issues. The data they shared indicates real progress has been made on these fronts.

The Annual Tourism Seminar was the subject of a New York Business Journal article, which quoted the "Major NYC Tourism Sectors" panel, dedicated to hotels, restaurants, and Broadway.

NYC TOURISM DATA

CRIME/SAFETY NEWS

NYPD

• Overall index crime in NYC was down for the second straight month in December, reduced 11.6% compared with December 2021. Five of the seven major index-crime categories saw decreases, driven by 26% decreases in murder and grand larceny.
• For the fourth quarter, index crime was down by 1.5% against Q4 of 2021; although crime overall was up in 2022, murders were at their lowest level since pre-pandemic.
• Brooklyn saw drops in shootings and homicides, down 31% and 21% respectively since 2020 peaks.
• "Ensuring our city thrives is the business of the NYPD," according to an op-ed by City Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell.

MAYOR'S OFFICE

• Mayor Adams talked crime, his performance on 77 WABC's Cats at Night: "2022 was my rookie year, 2023 is my Aaron Judge year."

LINKS OF INTEREST

The Garment District Alliance unveiled Living Lantern yesterday, a kinetic installation serving as a symbol of hope through February 24th on the Broadway plazas. Created by NEON and Frankie Boyle Studio, and powered by WIREFRAME. Photo Credit: PixelMill Studio.

NYC

• NYC Winter Outing (Restaurant Week et al) launches, through February 12th, with more than 700 participating businesses
• 2023 NYC restaurant trends
• Las Vegas Sands to buy Nassau Coliseum in casino bid
• Crowne Plaza Times Square Hotel owners file for bankruptcy
• The lost hotels of Midtown Manhattan
• Shuttered Roosevelt Hotel planning a comeback
• Sulma Arzu-Brown appointed Executive Director of the Bronx Tourism Council

BEYOND NYC

• Holidays boost American and Delta profits, consumer demand remains strong
• Meetings volume surpasses pre-pandemic levels for second month in a row
• Advisers note travelers are booking further out, expect another boom year
• Networking needs drive return of corporate travel
• Blended travel comes of age...
• ...and behold the rise of the flexcation
• Early thoughts on the return of the Chinese outbound traveler

JANUARY 4, 2023: NYC TOURISM UPDATE

Despite economic headwinds, the outlook for New York tourism remains strong. Some data for the year ahead:

• NYC remains on pace to attract 61.7 million visitors in 2023 (marking 8.6% growth against 2022's 56.4 million visitors) according to NYC & Company
• International visitors to NYC more than tripled in 2022 against 2021, giving the city the third highest increase globally (international travel is expected to grow worldwide by 40% in 2023)
• 78% of Americans will spend disposable income on leisure travel in 2023—blowing away home improvement (33%) and dining out (29%) expenditures
• China is resuming issuing passports for tourism after three years of Covid lockdown—massive pent-up demand could manifest as early as next month's Lunar New Year

NYC topped 1 billion subway riders for the year on December 27th, the highest ridership since 2019. As Mayor Adams put it in a recent roundup of the city's tourism prospects, “New York City is not coming back—we are back.” 

A landmark on the Brooklyn skyline for over a century has returned to the Domino Refinery building. Photo by Wes Tarca.

NYC TOURISM DATA

CRIME/SAFETY NEWS

• The Adams administration is touting big improvements in public safety in its first year. Shootings are down 17% and homicides 13%; the NYPD has removed more than 7,000 illegal guns and made over 4,500 gun arrests—a 27-year high. November 2022 saw major crimes drop from where they were in November 2021, and subway crime that same month dropped by 12.8% over the previous November—even more impressive given the big lift in ridership. Pedestrian fatalities are down as well.
• In just the first nine months of the Adams administration pedestrian pedestrian stops increased 22% over the entirety of 2021.
• In another boost for tourism, the city is prioritizing getting cleaner. More than one-thousand neglected areas have been targeted and waste basket service has been increased 50,000 times each week.

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams release action plan from the “New” New York Panel with 40 proposals for improving NYC
• NYC’s first legal recreational weed dispensary now open in the East Village 
• The New York Boat Show returns to the Javits, January 25th-29th
• Hispanic Society Museum & Library to relaunch

BEYOND NYC

• U.S. to finally have a secretary-level position for tourism
• Travel in 2022 explained in 11 charts
• U.S. consumer confidence bounces back in December

CLOSING TIME

• After more than half a century, last call for Twins Irish Pub
• The 13th Step vacates the East Village after 12 years

DECEMBER 21, 2022: NYC TOURISM UPDATE

Looking back to the beginning of the year it's amazing to see how much ground we've recovered. A year ago the Omicron variant was putting a damper on activity and it seemed like the crowds would never return. The bounce back since then has been incredible, even if we are not yet back to pre-pandemic levels. We are still missing foreign visitors, although at last there has been a loosening of Chinese restrictions, giving hope that they'll return soon—bringing three years of pent-up demand with them. Data supports the case for cautious optimism:

• The Independent Budget Office predicts no recession for NYC and a $2 billion budget surplus.
• A ridership record has been set on the subways, with 3.93 million riders on December 8th, the highest total since pre-pandemic times.
• New York City ranks #1 in the latest Allianz Partners USA survey of Top 10 Holiday Destinations (worth noting: 89% of itineraries were for domestic travel).
• NYC had the highest hotel occupancy level of the Top 25 U.S. Markets for November.
• Retail leasing is picking up on Madison Avenue and "consumer spending has been incredibly resilient."

Tourism Economics reportsTravel Industry Poised to Grow in a Recession, noting U.S. households are in a position of strength, there are no signs of weakness, and pent-up demand remains strong. In fact, the latest forecast from the U.S. Travel Association anticipates an 8.8% increase in leisure travel next year (and business travel spending expected up 19.1%). AAA estimates the next couple of weeks will be the third-largest for holiday travel since tracking began, with 3.6 million more people than last year—just off pre-pandemic volumes.

NYC TOURISM STAT PACK

CRIME/SAFETY NEWS

MTA

• "In the month of November, we had a couple of weeks where we had the lowest rate of crimes per million riders that we've had since before COVID. This is by no means time to declare victory, but we're in the right direction," MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber explained in a recent ABC7 interview.
• MTA initiatives will improve tourist experiences even beyond lowering crime. Comprehensive Customer Service Centers will provide direct support in high-traffic subway stations. Six will open early next year, followed by nine more in 2023. Station Agents will be moving out of the booth and into more direct customer support roles.

MAYOR'S OFFICE

• Mayor Eric Adams has announced a "major new visioning process" for Fifth Avenue, looking to make it safer by adding more pedestrian space between Fifth Avenue between Bryant Park and Central Park.
• Worth noting: New York media coverage of crime has vastly outpaced crime itself, with a 42% spike in stories against 2021.

LINKS OF INTEREST

The Bronx Children's Museum opens a permanent space on the Harlem River. Welcome area photo credit: Matthew Lapiska.

NYC

• Based on evolving subway riding patterns, MTA to expand weekend service, cut back Mondays and Fridays
• MSC Cruises will homeport from New York year-round
• Air Canada will begin flights to JFK in March
• City Winery's new high-end farm to table restaurant Cornelius now open in Grand Central
• Stylish Mexican spot Casa TuLuM now open in The Seaport
• New NoMad/Chelsea cocktail bar The Ivory Peacock now serving, with a focus on gin
• Century-old Naples pizzeria L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele opening in the West Village
• Bronx Brewery expands to Hudson Yards
• P.F. Chang’s now open in Union Square
• New bistro Steak Frites now open in Hell's Kitchen
• New super-sized Mermaid Oyster Bar opens in Times Square
• Gordon Ramsay's Fish & Chips now open in Times Square

BEYOND NYC

• Travel-related costs continue to decline
• Short-term booking window is ongoing, among expected 2023 hotelier trends
• November meetings volume surpasses pre-pandemic levels
• Trip.com reports spike in Chinese outbound travel searches as Covid restrictions loosen
• Urban destinations are back as Kayak forecasts 2023 trends
• Delta Air Lines expects profits to nearly double next year

CLOSING TIME

• Legendary East Village Dallas BBQ closing up after nearly four decades
• Almost Famous to end its brief Broadway run on January 8th

DECEMBER 7, 2022: NYC TOURISM DATA

It's worth remembering that a downturn in 2023 is far from a done deal. In fact, Goldman Sachs projects a 65% chance the U.S. avoids recession. November's employment report was unexpectedly strong, led by leisure + hospitality jobs. STR and Tourism Economics have only pared their 2023 projections down by a hair, with revenue per available room anticipated to be up 11.6% versus 2019. 

• The city is at 85% of pre-pandemic visitation according to NYC & Company. Shoulder season discounts for January and February will be aggressively promoted to keep winter visitation attractive.
• Despite inflation, American leisure travel intent has stayed consistent at 3.7 trips over the next 12 months, with expected spend spiking up to almost $4,000, according to travel marketing firm MMGY Global. Older demographics are more likely to travel and have higher spends.
• New data from the World Travel & Tourism Council indicates urban destinations are "roaring back" and will drive the next decade of travel recovery.
• October was strong for air travel. “Traditionally, by October we are into the slower autumn travel season in the Northern Hemisphere, so it is highly reassuring to see demand and forward bookings continuing to be so strong,” IATA Director General Willie Walsh tells TravelPulse. “It bodes well for the coming winter season and the ongoing recovery.”

Recession concerns are real, but spending is holding strong, especially when it comes to travel. “There's no question that restaurants and bars and things are really packed and everybody's out,” Peter Schubert, managing director of commercial leasing at TerraCRG, tells Bisnow about NYC. “And you sense that there's a little bit of euphoria. We're all very, very bullish. I mean… even with the talk of, ‘Oh, we have a recession,’ [retailers] don't see it; it just hasn't materialized.”

NYC CRIME/SAFETY NEWS

NYPD

• Overall index crime in NYC decreased in November against a year ago. Shooting incidents  were down by 32.8% and the 2022 murder rate is 11.1% below last year's.
• Gun arrests are at a 27-year high; arrests for major felony crimes are up 19% against November '21.
• The NYPD has launches its Holiday Safety Initiative, with increased police presence and patrols tailored for places of worship, retail centers, tourist attractions, and other holiday gathering locations.

MTA

• Felony crime on transit is not outpacing the surge in ridership on the MTA—travel is up 38% over 2021, which is about the level of reported crime increase.
• “The NYPD is now putting more officers on subway cars and on platforms, and so far this month it has resulted in a drop in crime,” MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan told the Post. In fact, transit crime fell 13.1% comparing November '22 with '21.

MAYOR'S OFFICE

• Mayor Adams is opening 11 city blocks to pedestrians in December, the city’s largest-ever holiday Open Streets. Fifth Avenue from 48th to 57th Street will be traffic-free for three Sundays in December, on top of the pedestrianized areas around Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall. The plan will ease crowding and enhance public safety.
• The Mayor has also announced an initiative for connecting severely mentally ill people with treatment.

Hotel Barrière Fouquet's New York now open in Tribeca, the first U.S. location of the luxury French brand.

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• New York City Economic Development Corporation November report notes high water marks for tourism
• Global tours and experiences provider Walks will be the new operator of the Official Grand Central Terminal Tour, returning for the first time since Covid
• Brooklyn retail booms even as Manhattan vacancies persist
• More than 10,000 Airbnb listings in NYC will get bounced next year when new housing rules take effect
• Carbone team opens Torrisi Bar and Restaurant in the Puck Building
• Le Figaro Café resuscitated in the Village
• Renovated JFK Terminal 8 now open
• Chez Napoleon reopens after 11-month shutdown
• Industry City upscales: Porsche Brooklyn opening tonight
• Acclaimed chef Greg Baxtrom opens Five Acres at Rockefeller Plaza tomorrow
• Golden Girls pop up coming to the Seaport
• Zero Irving food hall coming to Union Square

BEYOND NYC

• Hyatt acquiring Dream Hotel Group
• The high demand for luxury travel continues unabated
• Royal Caribbean breaks booking records for the third time this year (cruise lines everywhere are shattering records)

CLOSING TIME

• After four decades, Carolines on Broadway is done after New Year's Eve
• Hudson Yards loses another as Hudson Yards Grill set to close after three years
• Oaxaca Taqueria closes up on the UWS; the rest of the chain as well
• KPOP, we hardly knew ye—musical to close December 11th after a 3-week run
• After 11,472 performances, Stomp drops the curtain in January

NOVEMBER 22, 2022: HOLIDAY TOURISM OUTLOOK NYC

Tourism Recession or Surge: Here's the Data

There's a lot of chatter about a recession in travel. Of course rising costs and economic instability are impactful, but the data we're seeing points to ongoing recovery:

• Despite shortages and inflation, Skift notes that this year's Thanksgiving travel will be as busy as it's ever been; AAA reports Thanksgiving travel will be at 98% of pre-pandemic numbers.
• Travelers are still prioritizing travel over other consumer spending. “We haven’t seen any signs of demand declining in our search or booking data,” Hayley Berg, lead economist at Hopper, tells Bloomberg. 
• The AHLA Hotel Booking Index for the next three months is 7.1, or very good, based on factors of travel likelihood, financial sentiment, and preference for hotel stays.
• Hilton reports pent-up demand—especially among group and business travel—and consumer savings contributing to ongoing hotel recovery.
• International traveler spending increased 110% for September over a year ago.
• ...and that's with a backlog of U.S. visas; clearing that will open the gates to a spike in international travel.
• Timothy Hughes, vice president of corporate development at Agoda, tells Phocuswire that Asia still has a further 6-12 months of pent-up demand, with Japan and Korea recently opening and causing an “explosion” and China expected to reopen in 2023.
• For the first time in the pandemic era, the American travelers unconcerned about Covid outnumber those still cautious.

“More than half of Americans report that travel is now a priority and see their holiday as a sacred, worthwhile investment,” James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel, tells TravelPulse. “Having a period without travel has made people appreciate their holidays even more.”

NYC TOURISM DATA

NOW OPEN!

Congrats all around (from top), as the Museum of Broadway opens (photo by Taylor Hill); Hells Kitchen welcomes Chi Restaurant; the new location of the Brooklyn Deli opens in Times Square (photo by Tricia Baron); and City Guide hosts a concierge night at the new Beyond King Tut: The Immersive Experience.

CRIME/SAFETY NEWS

When it come to keeping NYC safe, there is much going on beneath the surface. This week we learned MTA Police officers apprehended two men at Penn Station and averted an attack on NYC's Jewish community. 

According to New York Magazine, election results in New York state suggest that "doom and gloom about crime" was more of a media narrative than a central concern of people.

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• WalletHub ranks NYC #1 for U.S. winter holiday destinations
• City Winery opens in Grand Central
• Marcus Samuelsson opens new Hav & Mar in West Chelsea
• Mediterranean brasserie Harta opens, to be followed by rooftop mezcaleria Bar Cima, as new Grayson Hotel launches near Bryant Park
• Jewish luncheonette S&P opens in the Flatiron
• Newark-Liberty International Airport opens new terminal
• Primark to open in Brooklyn in December
• Brighton Beach’s Tashkent Supermarket coming to West Village
• New York City Football Club to get own stadium near Citi Field
• Reservations open for New York Hotel Week
• Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel among major U.S. 2023 hotel openings
• The race to finish new Rock Center restaurants
• First licenses for NYC recreational marijuana dispensaries issued

BEYOND NYC

• Domestic box office for movies doubles over a year ago
• Cruise lines seeing continuing momentum for bookings
• U.S. meetings and events eclipse 80% recovery for fifth month in a row
• Shorter booking window trend growing stronger

CLOSING TIME

• Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Mercer Kitchen to close after nearly 25 years
• Refined vegan Blossom closes downtown outpost
• Jane Hotel Ballroom to close, become members-only club

FALL TOURISM OUTLOOK NYC

We are into quarter 4, NYC tourism's busiest season, and the outlook for the upcoming weeks is very strong. NYC & Company projects 6.5 million visitors between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. The latest hotel data shows NYC is still #1 among the nation's major hotel markets, with Average Daily Rates reflecting tourist willingness to spend significantly.

National headlines support the positive local trends. Some key findings:

• Brand USA forecasts 2023 tourism numbers exceeding 2019.
• Travelers aren't being deterred by inflation.
• Cities are back, and Airbnb is reporting record profits.
• The meetings industry is expected to surpass 2019 volume next year.
• Hotels are reporting very strong results, with Hilton surpassing expectations (and expecting the boom to continue into 2023), Marriott beating 2019 numbers, and IHG Hotels & Resorts also back to pre-Covid numbers.
• Bookings Holdings (with sites like Priceline and Kayak) set revenue records, up 117% over last year; Viator is up as well, and Tripadvisor surpassed 2019 revenue.

Expedia also set records in Q3. “Overall we are pleased to see strong demand expand into the fourth quarter as consumers continue to prioritize travel spend over other discretionary spend,” according to CFO Julie Whalen.

All of the data points to a busy stretch of tourism ahead.

Ginna Claire Mason (of Glinda fame) and Arielle Jacobs (known for playing Jasmine in Aladdin) welcome back the Times Square Alliance's "Show Globes," a big hit with tourists that will be on display in Times Square through December 26th. Photo by Michael Hull.

NYC TOURISM DATA

SOME GOOD NEWS TO SHARE ABOUT NYC SAFETY

Media reports on crime in the lead up to the midterm elections has led to misperceptions about the safety of New York City. Here is some good news data:

MTA

• 1,200 additional police officers are now on patrol in the MTA, on top of personnel increases earlier in the year.
• As a result of the new staffing, fare evasion summons are up more than 80% compared to last year, and quality of life summonses are up 118%.
• Major felony crimes on the subways are down 4% compared to pre-pandemic stats.
• Officers will be present at over 300 stations during peak hours.
• New dedicated units at psychiatric centers will address street and subway mental illness issues.
• The subway has set pandemic-era ridership records the last three weeks in a row.

NYPD

• Per the latest crime report, shooting incidents and killings are both down by one-third, October 2022 against October 2021.
• Despite 2021's rise in homicides in NYC, the murder rates remain less than 20% of 1990's levels.

City Guide will continue to report on the good news about city crime, as it is important to communicate to tourists the realities of visiting New York City.

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• Broadway stars announced for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
• The Hilton New York Times Square has reopened, with 478 rooms across 44 floors
• Moxy East Village is now open, with 286 rooms
• Marc Forgione resuscitates One Fifth
• Tatiana opens at Lincoln Center
• Naro opens at Rockefeller Center
• Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree to arrive November 12th
• Massive new Starbucks Reserve opening in the Empire State Building on November 16th
• David Burke makes plans for new brasserie Park Ave Kitchen
• NYC has nation's second-highest hotel rate increase (up 226% since 2019)
• Vornado delays Penn Station development plans
• NYC named one of the world's top 10 most accessible cities
• NYC's dynamism ensures it will not fail

BEYOND NYC

• Return of group travel lifts global hotel demand to pandemic-era highs
• September air travel up 57% over previous year
• Hotels pivoting to leisure travel

CLOSING TIME

• After a quarter century, Pearl Oyster Bar closes up
• After more than four decades, East Village legend Pyramid Club is done

NYC TOURISM 2022 SUMMER UPDATE

The long-awaited return of international travelers has begun. Inbound bookings jumped 93% during the past six weeks compared with 2021; and they're not looking for beaches—NYC and other cities are the main destinations. Canada, Germany, France, and Brazil are the top source markets; Japan and China have also joined, increasing by 8% and 28% respectively in just the past four weeks. Search engine Jetcost has some additional data:

• 250% search increase for flights year to date
• 330% search increase for hotels year to date
• Searches for August 2022 holidays are 30% above pre-pandemic levels
• NYC is the #1 search for US vacations, across Germans, French, Spaniards, Italians, Dutch, Portuguese, and British
• For US tourist searches, New York is also #1, beating out every other destination in the world

SPENDING

• The McKinsey US Summer Travel 2022 Report shows leisure travel is booming. 68% of respondents say they're traveling this summer "no matter what" (lots of good data here, including travel's near top spot on what people would do with a big lottery win).
• AmEx has raised its revenue forecast on surging travel spending; pent-up tourism demand has been a major driver, augmented by a recovery in international and corporate travel.
• The world's largest travel agency reports 2022 sales have already hit an all-time high; that reflects an 88% increase over pre-pandemic numbers.
• Americans are prioritizing travel and using more vacation days.
• Inflation isn't stopping travelers—airline ticket intentions show mid-sized price increases don't change plans.
• Covid isn't stopping travelers either, 57% of respondents said that they are “not concerned” or “not very concerned” about the disease as they make plans.

NYC

• Foot traffic data shows NYC's domestic tourism recovery is at 87% of 2019 levels.
• Times Square foot traffic for June was also at 87% of 2019, the highest recovery point of the Covid era (and a big step up from the 48% recorded in January).
• The latest projections from city tourism officials anticipate a 207% increase in international tourists year over year, and a 70% overall increase when domestic visitors are added in.

Even the "new normal" of travel can be turned to a positive, as tourists are seeking out exciting experiences to counteract the frustrations of their journeys. NYC can definitely help with that.

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt celebrated its One Millionth guest last Friday. Open just nine months, the milestone shows the brisk pace of NYC's tourism recovery. The lucky One Millionth Guest at SUMMIT received a $5,000 cash prize, in partnership with TD Bank, a private guided tour, and a memorable journey in Ascent, the world’s largest external glass elevator—soaring 1,200 feet above Midtown Manhattan.

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• Jackie Robinson Museum finally opens
• Wait, LaGuardia is nice now?
• Russ & Daughters, Maialino, Mermaid Inn reopening
• Popular Japanese store Daiso opens first Manhattan location

HOTELS

• Ritz-Carlton's second New York hotel new open
• RIU Hotel now open In Times Square
• Radio Hotel now open in Washington Heights
• Historic Hudson Hotel to be converted to apartments
• Hotel Carter to be reborn
• Hourly hotel Liberty Inn to end its run
• Hilton has raised its 2022 profit forecast on strong travel demand
• Marriott reports big rebound for group travel along with continued leisure boom
• Overall hotel recovery continues

BEYOND NYC

• Will inflation stunt travel spending rush?
• Experiential travel and revisits top list of US travel priorities
• Micro-cation trend emerging this summer
• No evidence monkeypox will inhibit travel

CLOSING TIME

• Central Park Boathouse shutting down after brief reopening
• Danny Meyer passes the torch at Union Square Hospitality Group

CITY GUIDE CONCIERGE NIGHTS

City Guide concierge nights are back in full force, including a recent outing to Amateur Night at The Apollo. City Guide's Eli Marcus, hotel friends, and Billy “Apollo” Mitchell, historian and tour director of The Apollo for many decades, are pictured here.