10.23.25

Tourism By the Numbers

The U.S. Travel Association forecasts that international travel to the U.S. will fall 6.3% in 2025, driven primarily from a drop off in Canadian visitors. (On the positive side, Air Canada is anticipating restored cross-border traffic in 2026.) Domestic travelers are forecast to spend $1.2 trillion in 2025, growing in volume from 2.36 billion travelers to 2.4 billion. "Consumer sentiment shows concern about inflation and general economic conditions, but Americans continued to prioritize travel," U.S. Travel says.

NYC Tourism + Conventions predicts 8 million visitors to the city between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. NYC remains the U.S.'s #1 Thanksgiving destination for the fifth year in a row. 48% of Americans are planning to travel “regardless of costs” for the holidays. The revised expected number of tourists visiting New York City in 2025 is 64.7 million, of which 19% will be international visitors.

Week ending October 18th. Numbers courtesy of Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC).

Although nationally hotels are lagging the broader economy, NYC numbers remain strong. Occupancy so far this year is 82.4%, unchanged from a year ago (average daily rate is up 5%).

LUXURY LEADS THE WAY

Much of travel spending is concentrating in the higher end, as seen in the national hotel chart above. American Express Travel posted "record high bookings" in the third quarter as travel rebounded. The top 10% of the income distribution now accounts for nearly half of all consumer spending. Overall purchasing jumped up 9% year-over-year thanks to "strong retail spending and a bounce back in travel."

U.S.-based travel agency air ticket sales totaled $8.7 billion for September, recording the highest monthly sales total for the month and marking an 8% increase YOY. Delta reports strong sales and United Airlines predicts record-breaking revenue in Q4. Flight operations are faring relatively well during the government shutdown. The last shutdown ended after air traffic controllers stopped receiving paychecks and called in sick; they are not currently slated to be paid their October 28th checks. U.S. Travel has installed a real-time ticker tracking the cost of the shutdown to tourism, which is now over $3 billion nationally.

New data shows travel and tourism slipping slightly to #2 as a consumer priority. (Electronics have moved from #3 up to first priority.) Younger travelers are entering the market, with more cost-conscious spending habits.

TRIP PLANNING IS EVOLVING

ChatGPT use has doubled in just the last year. Travel apps will soon join the platform, with Expedia, Booking.com, and Tripadvisor among the first to reach ChatGPT's 800 million-strong user base. ChatGPT has also just launched its own web browser, ChatGPT Atlas. Visitor planning has already changed, with 90% of consumers reporting they no longer trust the first search result. Look-to-book ratios continue to grow, from 10:1 in the early online days to 20,000:1 in the AI era. Travel companies will have to evolve their marketing as AI exponentially increases search volumes on behalf of trip-planning users.

BROADWAY NEWS

Local 802 musicians, who had been without a contract since the end of August, reached a tentative agreement with producers this morning. The actors-stage managers union Actors’ Equity reached a new agreement on Saturday. Pending member ratification, this fall's strike has been averted. Attendance was up slightly last week while revenue was slightly down; season-to-date numbers are all up over a year ago, +10.6% gross and +5.8% attendance.

CRIME AND SAFETY

The NYPD reports record-low shooting incidents for the first nine months of the year, setting a record  for any third quarter. September marked the seventh consecutive quarter of declines in major crime. It was also the safest third quarter ever on the subways, with all-time lows in transit crime (outside pandemic years). Ridership is up, with the one-billionth ride taking place three weeks earlier than in 2024.

Tourism Marketing Forum
Hotels: A Marketing and Sales Channel

Tourism Marketing Forum panelists, left to right: William Parris, Director of Sales, Park South Hotel; Dayna Zeitlin, Area Vice President Sales & Marketing, Highgate; Octavia Marginean-Tahiroglu, General Manager, The St. Regis; Peter McNamee, General Manager, Motto by Hilton Times Square; Eve Melendez, Concierge, The Westin Grand Central; Maurice Dancer, Chef Concierge, The Pierre; Michael Remo, Chef Concierge, Waldorf-Astoria; and Lorenzo Gutierrez, Concierge, 1 Hotel Central Park. 

Last Wednesday at the Empire State Building, City Guide brought together NYC's tourism community for a forum on in-market approaches and how venues can better leverage hotel relationships. David Miller, Davler CEO, led off with a look at the current market, with insights into consumer attention and the elephant in the room—the growing prevalence of AI. Two panels followed. The first brought together concierge from a range of properties as they laid out the extensive efforts they make, from pre-arrival emails to the hundreds of desk interactions that take place every day. The second panel gathered hotel general managers and sales managers, who offered specific advice on maximizing visibility with tourists and group sales.

You can watch the concierge panel here.

• Ari Emanuel’s MARI acquires Broadway ticketing company TodayTix
• NYC’s retail market outperforming U.S. as availability rate nears record low
• New York City Tourism + Conventions launches global tourism campaign “Where the World Comes to Play” ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
• NYC Ferry targets tourists with new $15 Unlimited Two-Day Ticket
• Luxury hotel Faena New York now open in Chelsea
• Central Perk from "Friends" opening permanent Times Square location
• Mandarin Oriental, New York reopens speakeasy The Bar on its Sky Lobby floor 
• Speakeasy BA53MENT opens under MoMA
• World’s first photobooth museum AUTOPHOTO opens on the Lower East Side
• Gui Steakhouse launches hidden tasting counter Hwaro
• Rosa Mexicano moves to spacious new Lincoln Center digs at the Empire Hotel
• Sophisticated Colombian cuisine comes to Virgin Hotels New York with Elcielo New York, opening Saturday
• Trump DOT shuts down work on 34th Street busway

 BEYOND NYC

• USA launches "America the Beautiful" campaign
• GetYourGuide is profitable for the first time as experience travel surges

CLOSING TIME

• Cipriani’s market and dining hall Harry’s Table to close on November 1st
• Tuscany Hotel, the Herald, and Hotel 27 all shutter without notice

9.11.25

Some Positives and Some Concerns

• Canadian travel to the U.S. remains way off, declining for the seventh straight month. There are some surprises, however, including upticks for the UK, China, Japan, and Brazil. Mexico is another surprise, up 14% over last year. The decline in international travel is expected to continue past the summer, but Tourism Economics has trimmed its estimate on expected 2025 decline, to 8.2% against a 9.4% prior forecast. International traveler spend is actually up 2% YTD nationally.
• Phone searches at the U.S. border hit a record high, contributing to diminishing international tourism arrivals; detainment horror stories are leading to burner phones and wiped socials. More entry obstacles are coming with the latest visa restrictions and rising fees.
• The US Open saw record attendance at Fan Week in August, with 239,307 attendees. Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day also set a record, up 13% from 2024. 
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art welcomed over 5.7 million visitors in fiscal year 2025, reflecting 5% year over year growth.
• Carnegie Hall experienced a record-breaking box office season, with revenue exceeding $20 million for the first time, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 15%.
• Restaurants are helping drive retail vacancies in prime neighborhoods to an 11-year low; foot traffic in Manhattan has finally surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
• NYC tourism is down but not out. Hotel occupancy is virtually unchanged from last year (85.6%) while the average daily room rate has increased by $13 a night to $283. Luxury accommodations are leading the way, per Vijay Dandapini, head of the Hotel Association of New York City. NYC's occupancy is the highest in the nation.
• Lower Manhattan’s hospitality sector enjoyed a successful Q2, finishing with a $334 ADR and an 88% occupancy rate—up 11% over the quarter before and hovering around record levels.
• Broadway attendance is up 7% for the season that began in late May. This was the highest-grossing and best-attended Labor Day Weekend since 2018.
• Skift reports business travel to the U.S. is strong despite cautious sentiment.
• Airlines are optimistic, with JetBlue reporting a strong August with ongoing demand; “The demand environment for us is much improved…and we’re a pretty good indicator of the economy,” United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said at a recent conference.
• U.S. travel costs are down for the fifth straight month.

Shifting Spend Patterns

Families are pulling back on spending, traveling shorter distances, and driving rather than flying. Luxury travel in New York remains solid, however. NYC Tourism + Conventions reports an increase of 23% in high-end visitors over 2019. The latest polling shows nationally the strong-luxury, softening-middle trend will continue at least into the third quarter. Consumer spending actually ticked up in July, particularly among high-income households. Gen Z is pulling back on holiday travel more than other groups this year. Survey results indicate consumers in general will spend less this year on gifts, but travel and entertainment spending is holding steady.

Crime and Safety

Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch announced that in the first eight months of 2025, New York City saw the fewest shooting incidents and shooting victims in recorded history. Subway crime was down last month, reaching the lowest level outside of pandemic years ever recorded. Transit crime is set to decline for the third straight year. (And ridership is up, with 9% more people on the subways compared to the beginning of the year.)

Met Opera

Looking Ahead

• The Metropolitan Opera opens its season on September 21st with Michael Chabon’s Kavalier & Clay
• Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail returns to the New York Botanical Garden September 25th
• New consumer experience Beauty New York coming to the Shops at the Oculus October 17th-18th
• The Studio Museum in Harlem reopens after seven years of renovations on November 15th

Other Links of Interest

• Empire State Building Observatory is #1 rated attraction in NYC in Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice “Best of the Best” Awards
• The BEAST is back downtown (at Pier 16) for the first time since 2007
• Why New York City's food halls keep closing
• Resorts World New York City unveils $5.5 billion transformation plan
• More professionals becoming travel advisors even as OTAs stand to lose ground to AI travel searches
• New speakeasy-style cocktail bar The Blue Vault now open at the Civilian Hotel
• Jewel-box cocktail lounge BA53MENT coming to midtown's 53
• Elevated Chinese food comes to the Theater District at new Lotus Room (with hidden speakeasy Confessional)
• City Winery expanding at Pier 57 with Mediterranean Island dining at ofCorsica! and rooftop Japanese listening lounge Miru
  The Waldorf Astoria New York has reopened
  The Hyatt Regency Times Square has opened, marking the brand's Manhattan debut
  W New York – Union Square transformed by $100 million renovation, adding a new rooftop bar, a new café, and new restaurant Seafood Brasserie
  New immersive Arte Museum New York now open at Chelsea Piers
  Futuristic new flagship tm:rw brings together hands-on tech from more than 120 brands in Times Square

BEYOND NYC

• 30% of Americans report traveling for specific pop culture events, reflecting an ongoing move toward live experiences; spending is going up, but more for high earners (25% of U.S. adults but 44% of high earners said they spent more on experiences this year)
• Skift argues that America is becoming too expensive to visit
• Big cuts at Brand USA after Congress guts budget

CLOSING TIME

• After half a century, Elephant & Castle ends its run
• Hell's Kitchen dim sum spot Tim Ho Wan closes up
• Legacy Records and sister spots Easy Victor and Ada’s Place are done
• Koloman leaving the Ace Hotel with plans to reopen in NoHo in the spring

7.8.25

NYC Tourism Update

The mid-year New York City tourism picture is mixed. Hotel occupancy is strong with Average Daily Rates as high as they have ever been. But many clients are reporting soft spending, lower attendance, and lower average spending. Projecting and planning for the second half is challenging because there is so much economic and local uncertainty, but here is some background data.

ECONOMIC OVERVIEW
The national hesitancy around consumer spending translates to 54% of Americans claiming to be cutting back on travel. With the dollar off to its worst yearly start in 50 years, international travelers' currency goes further, which is positive for people coming to the USA. Travel abroad is more expensive for Americans, making domestic travel more attractive. By contrast, credit card debt has hit records, and Gen Z in particular embraces a (YOLO) You Only Live Once ethos and is prioritizing travel. The just-passed reconciliation bill cut funding for Brand USA, the organization that promotes tourism to the USA, from $100M to $20M. June's U.S. travel ban has prevented nationals from 12 nations from entering, with an additional seven countries experiencing partial visa restrictions. 

Some select snapshots from NYC tourism year to date:

ATTRACTIONS
The Empire State Building reports observatory revenue grew 6% year over year (total attendance dropped slightly due to weather and calendar shifts, but dynamic pricing helped make up for it) in Q1.

BROADWAY
On the surface, Broadway just completed a record-breaking 2024-2025 season. The highest-grossing in history—its $1.89bn surpassed the 2018-2019 season’s $1.82bn—but those numbers were boosted by celebrities like Denzel Washington and George Clooney and shows with ticket prices approaching $1,000 per seat. Excluding the season's four mega plays, however, the average ticket price was about the same as 2019. Theater demand was high as there were weeks when every Broadway house was occupied.

CRIME AND SAFETY
Fresh crime stats from NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch: Subway crime has dropped to its lowest level since 2010, not counting pandemic dips in 2020 and 2021; major crimes dropped 6% overall in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year; and the number of shooting victims has been the lowest ever recorded in the first half of a year. (Traffic deaths have plummeted as well.) The NYPD is now expanding its Quality of Life Division to every precinct.

STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT
The challenges presented by the economic environment require that marketing and operations executives 1) double down on their efforts to produce superior experiences and 2) describe why they deserve tourists' precious time and money. The projected 64M tourists expected to arrive in NYC, though not what we hoped for, is still a giant number. Every tourism-oriented business has the opportunity to excel, but it requires examining every aspect of a visitor’s experience—procuring tickets, orienting them at your location, providing them with needed information, and creating lasting memories. That is only half of the equation: to attract audiences, marketing messages need to communicate the “worth it” factor. Convincing visitors to choose you means explaining to them how they will feel after they have patronized you. Marketing messaging must educate, not just announce.

LOOKING AHEAD

• This year's Summer Restaurant Week will take place July 21st through August 17th.
• The Revitalized Delacorte Theater relaunches August 7th with a celebrity-packed Shakespeare in the Park version of Twelfth Night (through September 14th)
• The New Museum will reopen in expanded form in the fall
• 400 Years of NYC continues with the New York City Tourism + Conventions’ new campaign, Founded By NYC, picking up on the 250 years of America celebration in 2026 and taking in "inclusivity, acknowledgment and education"
• The home of the New Year's Eve Ball, One Times Square, reopens this fall with Times Travel, a multilevel experience that covers the Ball Drop and area history before leading visitors to a panoramic viewing deck
• Six million visitors and $2.85 billion revenue windfall expected in NYC for Sail4th 250 one year from now
• (And FIFA World Cup 26 joining America250 next year as well!)

It's never too early to start making plans to capture the significant tourist traffic anticipated for 2026.

NYC NEWS

• The Tin Building by Jean-Georges scaling back operations, reports $33 million loss in 2024
• Mayor's office steps up enforcement of illegal NYC Airbnb rentals
• Hall des Lumières is bringing back its Gustav Klimt: The Immersive Experience for a limited time, beginning July 15th
• The Strand bookstore opens on the Upper West Side
• Fogo de Chão is now open downtown, next to the Oculus
• New classic steakhouse The Dynamo Room now open in the Penn District
• Drai’s Supper Club now open in the West Village

BEYOND NYC

• U.S. Travel Association praises One Big Beautiful Bill Act for air traffic control and customs spending, expresses concern over hikes in visa fees and budget cut for Brand USA
• World Travel & Tourism Council study shows the U.S. as the only country with declining international visitor spending this year; conservative estimates show $12.5 billion lost
• Micro-Cations surge as Americans redefine summer travel

CLOSING TIME

• Twin America/Sightseeing Pass/City Experts has suspended operations
• Chef Daniel Boulud closing Boulud Sud, Bar Boulud, and Épicerie Boulud near Lincoln Center, will reboot spaces as a single restaurant later in the year
• After nearly two decades, top steakhouse Porter House Bar & Grill is done
• Philippe Chow closing down original Upper East Side location (will start fresh with new Philippe Chow Fifth Avenue)

4.23.25
LATEST TOURISM DATA

• A Weakening Dollar: Favorable exchange rates can help offset other obstacles to international visits—the dollar recently slipped to a three-year low, and the Euro is showing particular strength.
• International Tourism Drops: New data shows international arrivals to the U.S. declined 11% last month. Western Europe dropped 17%, Canada 18%, and 24% from Central America. Meanwhile, 52% of Mexicans have canceled or are considering canceling travel here. However, Indian travel is expected to surge 201% by decade's end.
• Perspective Is Needed: Tourists are still arriving in large numbers. SUMMIT One Vanderbilt set a one-day sales record, Amex reports continued spending growth, and 90% of Americans plan to travel the same or more this summer.
• Summer Travel Trends: Gen Z (87%), millennials (85%), and Gen X (85%) traveled more in the past year than Boomers (70%). NYC ranks #4 on domestic “dream destination” lists.

NYC NEWS

• Crime continues to fall citywide, with March seeing the lowest number of murders ever on record for that month
• Major transit crimes down 29%, arrests up 71%
• NYPD launches quality of life pilot program
• Younger audiences coming out for Broadway?
• The NYC hotel lobby urges cut in hotel occupancy tax rate
• Impact of U.S. reputation drop on NYC tourism
• Airbnb spending millions on NYC elections to get back into the city
• Mayor Adams still backs helicopter tourism
• The Tin Building by Jean-Georges scaling back operations, reports $33 million loss in 2024
• Viral Japanese shop I'm donut ? now open in Times Square
• Dolce & Gabbana opens Madison Avenue flagship
• Venice's upscale Italian La Piazza opens first NYC location in Rock Center
• José Andrés launches Oyamel in former Spanish Diner space at Hudson Yards
• The Knickerbocker Hotel adds intimate handroll spot Akoya

BEYOND NYC

• China issues travel warning for U.S.
• U.S travel industry sounds warning
• Tripadvisor continues fight against fraudulent reviews as incidences increase

CLOSING TIME

• After nearly three decades, Rue 57 bids adieu
• Citizens Market Hall closing at Manhattan West
• Former two-star Michelin destination Blanca shutters after 13 years

MARCH 19th, 2025
LATEST TOURISM DATA

• Promising News on Safety. Last month's crime stats shattered a 30-year shooting record; major crime is down for the third month in a row (reduced 14.5%) and subway crime is down 15%.
• Economic Uncertainty Hits National Tourism. U.S. consumer confidence is down, potentially weighing on travel spends. Delta Air Lines cut its first-quarter profit estimates by half in response to mounting economic concerns. On the positive side, airfares are going down, dropping 4% in the first reduction since July.
• Inbound Headwinds As Well. International travel to the U.S. is now expected to drop 5% (a $64 billion shortfall) according to research firm Tourism Economics. Earlier forecasts had anticipated 9% growth this year, but changing U.S. attitudes are already driving reductions (Central America was down 6% last month, China down 11%, and Canadian travel is expected to be off 15% for the year.)
• Hotel Market Shifting. The city is wrapping up its migrant shelter contracts on 16,000 hotel rooms, opening more space for tourism (the average daily rate last week was $248). Some 65%-75% of those rooms will likely return to the market, according to an estimate by Hotel Association of New York City President Vijay Dandapani.

Congratulations to 2025's Women In Tourism Honorees!

BIDs/GOVERNMENT AFFILIATED
Kim Wright – NYC Tourism + Conventions 

CULTURAL ARTS/MUSEUMS
Stacey Hosang – Intrepid 

HOTEL CONCIERGE
Mary Murphy – Omni Berkshire Place 

HOTEL GENERAL MANAGER
Nicole McLean – Highgate Hotels 

HOTEL MANAGEMENT
Gina DiGennaro – Aimbridge 

NIGHTLIFE
Erica Maurer  – EMRG Media 

RESTAURANT
Chef Morgan Jarrett – Patina Restaurant Group 

RETAIL
Teresa Rodriguez – Century 21 

THEATER
Julie Boardman – Museum of Broadway 

TICKET & BOOKING SERVICES
Stephanie Lee – Broadway.com 

TOUR GUIDE
Monia Bonaldo – GuidaTuristicaNYC 

TOUR OPERATOR
Stacey Toussaint – Inside Out Tours 

TOURISM AD AGENCY/PR
Abigail Endres – LIFT Marketing 

TOURISM MARKETING
Nancy Mammana – NYC Tourism + Conventions 

TOURISM SALES
Claire Chirouze-Ulloa — SUMMIT One Vanderbilt 

TRANSPORTATION
Claudia Soto – Big Bus Tours 

SPECIAL AWARDS:

COMMUNITY SERVICE
Alicia Pierro – Big Apple Greeters 

UP AND COMER
Khianna Parks – SUMMIT One Vanderbilt  

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Magaly Buitrago – Five A Incentive Planners Inc 

Celebrate the achievements of women's leadership and recognize this year’s 19 honorees at the annual Women In Tourism Awards, sponsored by Delta.

Tuesday, May 20^th
12:00
City Winery
Get tickets here.

RETURN VISITORS TO NYC

City Guide’s annual reader survey shows consistent tourism patterns over 3 years. Although the single biggest category are first time visitors, more than half of the visitors who turn to City Guide are travelers who have been here before and are looking for the activities they haven’t experienced. They represent the people looking for the next Observation Deck, the new Broadway show, the just opened attraction, store, or restaurant, and even a hotel for their next visit. Unlike other tourism media, City Guide’s content (articles, directories, maps, and photos) describes the featured experiences to ticket buyers looking to find activities that are new to them. Contact us for more insights from the 2024 Reader Survey.

A new permanent exhibition opens Friday at the Intrepid Museum, with never-before-seen artifacts, images, videos, and a rare World War II Corsair, pictured here.

NYC NEWS

• New Museum reopening in the fall with more than double the gallery space thanks to seven-story extension
• Immersive experience company Meow Wolf opening its first East Coast permanent exhibition at Pier 17, although launch is still 2+ years off
• One40 Rooftop now open with impressive views in the Financial District
• Stylish cocktail lounge and restaurant Obvio now open in NoMad
• New immersive experience INTER opening for intergalactic adventures this week in SoHo
• Paris luxury department store Printemps’s first-ever New York location now open at One Wall Street
• The Midtown BID Coalition backs the SUPPORT Act, ensuring long-term care for individuals suffering from severe mental illness
• Mayor Adams announces expansion of medical respite program for homeless New Yorkers
• Guggenheim Museum lays off 20 workers in third round of cuts over the past 5 years
• Congrats to the Museum of Broadway, named to USA Today's 10 Best Pop Culture Museums list again for 2025

TRUMP AND TOURISM

• U.S. struggling to maintain tourism growth as foreign visitors cancel plans at unprecedented rates
• Memo outlines 41 nations to be banned from U.S. entry
• ICE detentions of tourists could dissuade foreign travelers

CLOSING TIME

• After three decades, Barracuda is done
• Times Square and Penn Station locations among closings as Forever 21 sheds stores
• After 15 years, Sushi Azabu and The Den leaving Tribeca
• After 31 years, MetroCards will be discontinued at year's end

FEBRUARY 27th, 2025

Latest Tourism Data

• Spring Break. According to AAA, although booking data favors warm weather destinations, NYC remains a top pick. “Many travelers are also wanting to sightsee in iconic American cities like New York and Chicago," per AAA Travel Vice President Stacey Barber. Prices are up nationally, 7% for domestic flights. 
• Ongoing Growth for the Empire State Building Observatory. On an earnings call, Empire State Realty Trust CEO Tony Malkin noted a 6% year over year increase in income for the fourth quarter, with growth expected to continue in 2025. The Observatory also announced new dynamic pricing going into effect, up to $90 for sunset slots.
• Migrant Issue Easing. The 1,000-bed Roosevelt Hotel will no longer house migrants, one of 53 emergency centers that will close by June. At the peak of the crisis NYC was taking in 4,000 people weekly, but that number has dropped to 350 in recent months.
• Solid Spending for 2025. Travel tech brand Sabre has released its latest survey results, with trends for 2025 travel. Household travel budgets are on the rise, with 90% spending the same or more; Baby Boomers in particular are elevating their spends.

NEWS

• Times Square as dining destination: Danny Meyer reopens The View, adding to a thriving scene
• Plans revealed for mammoth U.S. 250th anniversary in NYC, July 3rd to 8th, 2026
• NYPD launching "Quality of Life" commission to tackle soaring complaints
• Aman New York added to the AAA Five Diamond hotel list; La Tete d’Or by Daniel joins Four Diamond restaurant club
• NYC ranked highest priced U.S. city for business travel at $447.51 a day

BEYOND NYC

• Tariffs, strong dollar curb Canadian appetite for U.S. travel (a Canadian boycott may be looming)
• Possible mass deportations could have big impact on hospitality staffing (which remains an issue, with 65% reporting ongoing shortages)
• The U.S. Travel Association says reforms needed ahead of mega decade of U.S. events

CLOSING TIME

• After 35 years, neighborhood mainstay Tribeca Grill to close March 1st
• Marc Forgione closing Trattoria One Fifth

THEATER BUZZ: NEW SHOWS AND CELEBRITY CASTS

BROADWAY’S LATEST

• BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical – Previewing 3/11 for a 4/5 opening. With Tony winner Faith Prince.
• Buena Vista Social Club – In previews for a 3/29 opening. A new musical based on the 1998 Grammy-winning album of the same name.
• Glengarry Glen Ross – Previewing 3/10 for a 3/31 opening. A revival of David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama.
• Good Night, and Good Luck – Previewing 3/12 for a 4/3 opening. From film to stage starring George Clooney.
• John Proctor Is the Villain – Previewing 3/20 for a 4/14 opening. Sadie Sink stars in this biting comedy directed by Tony winner Danya Taymor.
• The Last Five Years – Previewing 3/18 for a 4/6 opening. A new two-person romantic musical starring Nick Jonas and Tony winner Adrienne Warren.
• Operation Mincemeat – In previews for a 3/20 opening. Olivier Award-winning musical with original London cast.
• Othello – In previews for a 3/23 opening. Shakespeare’s tragedy stars Denzel Washington in the title role and Jake Gyllenhaal as Iago.
• The Picture of Dorian Gray – In previews or 3/27 opening. Sarah Snook (Succession) reprises her Olivier-winning performance.
• Purpose – In previews for a 3/17 opening. Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ (Appropriate) latest drama features Tony winner Kara Young.
• Redwood – Opened 2/13. New musical starring Tony winner Idina Menzel (Wicked).
• Smash – Previewing 3/11 for a 4/10 opening. TV to Broadway revamp musical.

BROADWAY IN AND OUT

• The Great Gatsby – Ryan McCartan (Wicked; Liv and Maddie) has stepped in to the title role vacated by Jeremy Jordan, who’s set to begin previews in Broadway’s Floyd Collins on March 25th, while Sarah Hyland (Modern Family; Little Shop of Horrors) is Gatsby’s new Daisy Buchanan, replacing Eva Noblezada who will be moving into the role of Sally Bowles in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club on March 31st. 
• Moulin Rouge! The Musical – Andy Karl (Groundhog Day) recently took over as The Duke of Montroth, while Aussie actress Samantha Dodemaide stepped into the role of Nini. March 18th marks the return of Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Boy George to the role of Harold Zidler for a ten-week run.

OFF-BROADWAY: CELEB ALERT

• Calista Flockhart and Christian Slater in Curse of the Starving Class, thru 3/30.
• Billy Crudup, Levon Hawke, Hamish Linklater, and Lily Rabe in Ghosts,  thru 4/13.
• Melissa Gilbert in Still, thru 3/23.
• Judy Gold, Susan Lucci, Cathy Moriarty, and Tonya Pinkins in My First Ex-Husband, 2/26 thru 3/23 (cast changes from 3/26 to 4/20).
• Andrew Barth Feldman, Joanna Gleason, and Jeanine Serralles in We Had A World, thru 4/13.

—Griffin Miller, City Guide Theatre Editor

NEW YORK CITY ASSOCIATION OF HOTEL CONCIERGES 2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

NYCAHC has announced its leadership for this year, congrats to all!

Chris McCormack, President (Fouquet's New York)
Tea Ferrari, Vice President (Mandarin Oriental New York)
Duke Perkins, Treasurer (Renaissance New York Midtown)
Kevin Howard, Public Relations Director (Thompson Central Park)
Frederick Genao, Social Director (The Whitby Hotel)
Ryan Lettier, Director of Membership (The Peninsula)
John Sieber, Director of Corporate Membership (The Mark Hotel)

CITY GUIDE READER SURVEY DATA

City Guide completed its 2024 Reader Survey. Profile and buyer patterns are consistent with the past 2 years, over half are international, 63% are young—under 44, and most have been to NYC before. Readers consistently report the magazine’s content influences the Broadway shows they see, attractions they buy tickets to, and restaurants they choose. Here's a snapshot of tourist ticket purchase patterns:

FEBRUARY 12th, 2025

We're now solidly into 2025 and numbers are starting to take shape. After a strong holiday season across the board we are looking forward to continuing momentum.

• Record-Breaking Travel. NYC shattered travel records at the airports in 2024. International inbound travel and holiday season travel were also at new highs. 2025 projections indicate another record year ahead. 

• Average Daily Rates Soared. ADR was up 5.8% over 2023 and 28.7% over 2019 per the latest NYC Tourism + Conventions numbers. Manhattan saw the highest ADR (+12.7%) in the city. NYC will open over 5,700 rooms this year, in contrast to 2024's 2,900 rooms and 2023's 4,526 additions. 

• Crime Continues to Decrease. The NYPD's end of year report showed homicides and shootings reduced for the third consecutive year, a 3% drop in overall index crime, and a 5.4% drop in crime on the subway. January continued the downward trend, with subway crime dropping 36.4%. On the down side, assault was up in 2024, 4.9% for felony assault and 8.4% for misdemeanor assault.

• Broadway Boosted by Tourism. Box offices continue to move toward recovery, with the second-highest international ticket sales in the last 30 years (21% of attendees).

ATEST

• BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical – Previewing 3/11 for a 4/5 opening. With Tony winner Faith Prince.
• Buena Vista Social Club – In previews for a 3/29 opening. A new musical based on the 1998 Grammy-winning album of the same name.
• Glengarry Glen Ross – Previewing 3/10 for a 3/31 opening. A revival of David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama.
• Good Night, and Good Luck – Previewing 3/12 for a 4/3 opening. From film to stage starring George Clooney.
• John Proctor Is the Villain – Previewing 3/20 for a 4/14 opening. Sadie Sink stars in this biting comedy directed by Tony winner Danya Taymor.
• The Last Five Years – Previewing 3/18 for a 4/6 opening. A new two-person romantic musical starring Nick Jonas and Tony winner Adrienne Warren.
• Operation Mincemeat – In previews for a 3/20 opening. Olivier Award-winning musical with original London cast.
• Othello – In previews for a 3/23 opening. Shakespeare’s tragedy stars Denzel Washington in the title role and Jake Gyllenhaal as Iago.
• The Picture of Dorian Gray – In previews or 3/27 opening. Sarah Snook (Succession) reprises her Olivier-winning performance.
• Purpose – In previews for a 3/17 opening. Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ (Appropriate) latest drama features Tony winner Kara Young.
• Redwood – Opened 2/13. New musical starring Tony winner Idina Menzel (Wicked).
• Smash – Previewing 3/11 for a 4/10 opening. TV to Broadway revamp musical.

BROADWAY IN AND OUT

• The Great Gatsby – Ryan McCartan (Wicked; Liv and Maddie) has stepped in to the title role vacated by Jeremy Jordan, who’s set to begin previews in Broadway’s Floyd Collins on March 25th, while Sarah Hyland (Modern Family; Little Shop of Horrors) is Gatsby’s new Daisy Buchanan, replacing Eva Noblezada who will be moving into the role of Sally Bowles in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club on March 31st. 
• Moulin Rouge! The Musical – Andy Karl (Groundhog Day) recently took over as The Duke of Montroth, while Aussie actress Samantha Dodemaide stepped into the role of Nini. March 18th marks the return of Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Boy George to the role of Harold Zidler for a ten-week run.

OFF-BROADWAY: CELEB ALERT

• Calista Flockhart and Christian Slater in Curse of the Starving Class, thru 3/30.
• Billy Crudup, Levon Hawke, Hamish Linklater, and Lily Rabe in Ghosts,  thru 4/13.
• Melissa Gilbert in Still, thru 3/23.
• Judy Gold, Susan Lucci, Cathy Moriarty, and Tonya Pinkins in My First Ex-Husband, 2/26 thru 3/23 (cast changes from 3/26 to 4/20).
• Andrew Barth Feldman, Joanna Gleason, and Jeanine Serralles in We Had A World, thru 4/13.

—Griffin Miller, City Guide Theatre Editor

CITY GUIDE READER SURVEY DATA

City Guide completed its 2024 Reader Survey. Profile and buyer patterns are consistent with the past 2 years, the magazine is a platform that engages an attractive and challenging-to-reach audience. Here are their profiles:

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC NEWS

• The Restaurant Reservation Anti-Piracy Act to end restaurant reservation scalping in NYC, effective mid-February
• $57M revamp to boost safety and infrastructure in Times Square 
• Congestion pricing not hurting Broadway's bottom line
• Guy Fieri’s fast-casual Chicken Guy! opening in Times Square
• Planet Hollywood has also returned, bringing immersive dining and entertainment
• Facing $10M deficit, Brooklyn Museum to scale back, including layoffs
• Now Now NoHo, first-of-its-kind sleeper cabin hotel, to open on the Bowery April 1st
• Frick sets reopening date of April 17th with revitalized historic spaces, new galleries and amenities
• Anne Frank The Exhibition extended through October 31st due to popular demand
• Hotel Elysée to close in March for renovations, reopen in 2026 for centennial 
• Hyatt Regency Times Square to open later in the year, taking over closed Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan
• Inside the economics of the skating rink at Bryant Park: "most of the visitors in the busiest few weeks...are tourists, and their skate rentals generate the bulk of the rink’s revenue," which this year will approach $10 million.

CRIME AND SAFETY

• Mayor Adams unveils $650 million homelessness and mental health plan
• NYPD launches new Quality of Life patrols
• Midtown Hub (The Midtown Community Improvement Coalition) expands Quality of Life efforts into Hell's Kitchen
• Subway safety: trains to have uniformed officers overnight; protective barriers installed on platforms in more than 100 stations

BEYOND NYC

• Travel budgets expected to remain strong in 2025
• Travel agents look out: OpenAI debuts AI "Operator" agent that books travel

CLOSING TIME

• Gotham West Market closes, Citizens Market Hall wrapping up at Manhattan West in April, as food halls continue to struggle
• Cucina 8 1/2 to be replaced by fine dining from Hometown Bar-B-Que pitmaster Billy Durney
• Bryant Park Grill closing in the spring, to be replaced by a Jean-Georges restaurant

DECEMBER 19th, 2024

• Record-Breaking Travel. The Port Authority anticipates the 12/21 to 1/2 stretch to bring in an all-time high 13.8 million travelers through the airports and vehicle crossings. The flight traffic reflects a 3% increase from last year’s all-time high. The Port Authority projects 150 million NYC airport passengers in 2025, marking an all-time record. Nationally, AAA also expects records this holiday season, surpassing 2019's high water mark.

• Occupancy Remains High. For the week ending December 7th, occupancy was 89.9%, on par with the 2019 benchmark. Room rates are another matter: the first week of December saw an average of $508 per night, 139% of the 2019 benchmark rate.

• NYC Hotel Growth in 2024. "HANYC expects citywide hotel RevPar to increase in a narrow band of 2-4% as compared to 2024 levels despite an expected increase in visitation as inventory growth both from new builds and hotels transitioning back from the migrant to transient business absorbs the growth in hotel stays." —Vijay Dandapani, President & CEO, Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC)

NYC NEWS

• Jungsik is New York’s first new three-starred Michelin restaurant in 12 years, among 74 starred properties in the latest edition of the guide
• Mayor Adams unveils $150MM plan to transform Fifth Avenue into pedestrian-centered boulevard
• On Location Tours launches Welcome to New York: A Tour of Taylor Swift’s Hotspots
• New kosher restaurant Lox at the Jewish Museum now open
• Great Jones Distilling Co. has launched its seasonal Whiskey Wonderland
• Truffier Sabatino opens first U.S. space at Grand Central
• New immersive STARSCAPE now open at Genesis House
• Le Cafe Louis Vuitton now open at the Fifth Avenue fashion house
• New Madison Avenue spot for dry-aged steaks: Rocco Steakhouse
• Enormous new Aqua in the Flatiron now serving Japanese and Italian fare
• Latin-Mediterranean Aitana now open at Virgin Hotels New York

CLOSING TIME

• BiCE Cucina says ciao in Midtown
• Frog Club in the Former Chumley’s is closing
• Downtown legend Gotham now closed for good
• Gotham West Market to close at year's end as food halls continue to struggle

NOVEMBER 25TH, 2024

TOURISM DATA

• NYC Tourism + Conventions anticipates a record number of visitors for 2025; over 68 million total visitors (78.4% domestic and 21.6% international). For the latter, UK and Canada will be the most prominent.
• NYC airports are on track for a record year after the busiest September ever. The TSA anticipates record traffic for Thanksgiving, up 6% over 2023 nationally (NYC will be a top destination).
• A slow summer. The NYC Hospitality Alliance released survey results with 72% of restaurants reporting lower sales; one-fourth saw 21-30% declines. (Broadway businesses are feeling a lift as theatre crowds return, nearly all stages occupied.) Times Square pedestrian counts reflected the summer lull, but showed growth in October, up 8.5% against a year ago. This tracks with consumer behavior nationally, where spending on travel last month is up 5.9% (leisure is up 18.4%).

NYC NEWS

• Trump's promised policy changes could be felt in NYC
• New bill could bring Airbnb back to NYC
• Hotel Merit in Times Square and Quality Inn JFK Airport no longer emergency migrant shelters, with more properties to follow

BEYOND NYC

• Competition for concierge? Google Maps adds AI to make venue recommendations
• ToursByLocals reveals 2025 travel trends, including experiences taking center stage and travel frequency on the rise 
• Despite rising costs, meetings and events pros expect a big year in 2025
• CEO of Brand USA Fred Dixon takes first steps

OCTOBER 28, 2024

TOURISM LATEST FOR NYC

• NYC Remains Well Positioned. Last month NYC had the top occupancy rates (87%) among the Top 25 hotel markets, driven by September events. Last week saw occupancy rising to 94%, with an average daily rate of $414. City Guide's weekly verification calls are getting many reports of full occupancy. Major fall events will bring in even more, behind Halloween we can expect 50,000 runners and more than 2 million spectators for the Marathon on November 3rd, and 3.5 million for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Among domestic destinations, NYC has reclaimed the #1 spot for Thanksgiving. During the holiday season NYC Tourism + Conventions anticipates 7.5 million visitors to NYC.
• Contentious Hotel Law Passes. The New York City Council Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection voted Wednesday to pass the "Safe Hotels Act," which requires hotels to have licenses, panic buttons, and round-the-clock front desk staffing. After initially opposing the bill, the Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC) shifted to support after significant changes were made. The act was also backed by unions, but opposed by smaller hoteliers, despite carve outs for hotels with less than 100 rooms.
• News From NYC Tourism + Conventions. Welcome to Julie Coker, incoming president and CEO, effective December 9th. NYC T+C has launched its new global tourism campaign, With Love + Liberty, New York City, which will ultimately reach 18 markets. Interim CEO Nancy Mammana also announced a pause or reduction in some outreach, including to the Netherlands, Southeast Asia, and China, due to city budget restrictions.
• Data for 2025 Budgeting. NYC remains on pace for 68 million visitors in 2025, finally exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Business travel is bouncing back strong nationally, expected to exceed pre-pandemic numbers by 13.4% this year. The higher volume of visitors won't necessarily translate into higher spending, as the middle and lower tiers of the market are affected by inflation, high lodging costs, and caution over spending. New data from travel marketing platform Sojern shows the widening wealth gap. Experiences remain an area of growth, associated with an ongoing strong willingness to spend. Domestic flight bookings are up 4% over last year and NYC remains a top destination. “Unlike the pandemic where travelers chose less crowded destinations, those who are traveling are going back to more popular and expensive cities–and they’re willing to pay a premium,” says Noreen Henry, Chief Revenue Officer at Sojern.
• In-destination experience firm Arivel sees the experience sector expanding, although with slower growth. "Even amid slowing demand overall and a softening economy, travelers are placing a premium on tours, activities, attractions and experiences," a new report notes, with projected revenue growth of 10% in 2024 and bookings growth of 7%.  

Vessel has reopened at Hudson Yards for the first time since 2021, with several new safety features. Hours are 10am-9pm daily, tickets from $10. Photo: Kathleen Corless, courtesy Vessel.

NYC

• The evolving city: Fifth Avenue to become more walkable thoroughfare, $10 billion Port Authority Bus Terminal replacement project moves forward, Pier 97 park opens in Hell's Kitchen
• Congrats to The Beekman and The William Vale, NYC properties making the cut in Fodor’s roundup of the top 17 U.S. and Canadian hotels
• Subways hit post-pandemic ridership highs, although still only at 75% of 2019 levels
• Forbes Travel Guides names LaGuardia best airport in the country
• Uber launches shuttle between LaGuardia and Midtown
• How a Trump or Harris administration would impact NYC transit
• Red tape making for less dining sheds
• Whitney Museum to go free for under-25s

OPENINGS

• New music venue Bronx Music Hall (BMH) now open
  Dutch fashion brand Scotch & Soda opens SoHo location
  New Southeast Asian restaurant from Quality Branded, Twin Tails, now open in Columbus Circle 
  Special exhibition Disney on Broadway: 30 Years of Magic now open at The Museum of Broadway
  Giant flagship Primark coming to Herald Square
  The Standard Hotels opens new upmarket The Manner in SoHo
  QC New York Spa opens 15,000-square-foot building and bistro on Governors Island
  The Four Seasons Hotel New York sets reopening date for November 15th
  New immersive Anne Frank Annex opening in January

BEYOND NYC

• AI search has yet to have a transformative effect on travel planning
• TSA makes final ruling on Real ID requirements (allowing individual states to opt out)

CLOSING TIME

• Indian restaurant Gulaabo closes in Times Square after a short run
• Suffs and Back to the Future – The Musical wrapping on Broadway, January 5th

CRIME & SAFETY

• Mayor launches new overnight homeless outreach program pairing police, clinicians on subways
• Gothamist on homelessness, mental health, and subway safety
• Drug epidemic continues in Garment District

BROADWAY BUZZ

Broadway stages next month will be filled with boldface names from the worlds of  film, television, and theatre:

• Robert Downey, Jr. in McNeal
• Patti LuPone & Mia Farrow in The Roommate
• Jim Parsons, Zoe Deutch, Katie Holmes, Ephraim Sykes & Richard Thomas in Our Town
• Peter Gallagher & Juliana Margulies in Left on Tenth
• Kit Connor & Rachel Zegler in Romeo + Juliet
• Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart in A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical
• Darren Criss in Maybe Happy Ending
• Katie Brayben & Tony winners Christian Borle & Michael Cerveris in Tammy Faye
• Tony nominees Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard & Christopher Sieber alongside Grammy winner, Michelle Williams in Death Becomes Her
• Tony winner John Gallagher Jr., Tony nominee Stark Sands and Adrian Blake Enscoe in Swept Away
• Tony nominee Grey Henson & Sean Astin in Elf; Zachary Quinto, Shailene Woodley & Christopher Lowell in Cult of Love
• Audra McDonald & Danny Burstein in Gypsy
• Tony winner Bill Irwin and Tony nominees Jessica Hecht & Amber Gray in Eureka Day. 

—Griffin Miller, City Guide Theatre Edito

OCTOBER 10, 2024

The Hotel Association of NYC has dropped its opposition to the Safe Hotels Act, the controversial new bill that would have placed significant burdens on the city’s hoteliers (with ripple effects into restaurants, nightlife, and the broader tourism industry). HANYC felt that its more serious concerns were addressed in the latest revision of the bill; local labor union NY/NJ Hotel & Gaming Workers Union was already in favor. Remaining opposed are The American Hotel and Lodging Association and the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, both expressing concern that the new regulations will enact a heavy economic toll on their constituents.

EXPECTATIONS FOR Q4

The restrained spending that marked the summer tourism season is ongoing, but interest in New York is high. 

• NYC at the Top. Booking platform Points Path used flight search patterns to determine NYC is the most popular travel destination in the world for both Thanksgiving and winter break this year. The margins were not close—on both lists, NYC held 50% more searchers than the next-highest city. Overall, momentum has swung back to domestic travel in the U.S. Vacation rental management company Vacasa notes 88% of American travelers plan to stay in-country.

• Shifting Demographics. Younger generations intend to spend more on holiday travel this year. Gen Z travel budgets are up 42% over last year; Gen X is down 21%, and Baby Boomers are flat.

Another shift can be seen in a widening wealth gap. In-destination resource Arivel identifies younger affluent travelers as driving spending while other demographics pull back. “The shift in traveler demographics—the rise of the affluent traveler and the pullback of middle- and lower-income travelers—may be more than just the result of another economic cycle,” says Douglas Quinby, co-founder and CEO of Arival. “It could signal a bigger, more fundamental shift with enormous long-term implications for our industry.”

NYC CRIME AND SAFETY

• Detailed Bloomberg report notes that "measured by homicides plus transportation fatalities, the city continues to be one of the least dangerous places in the US."
• September's crime report shows a drop in overall index crime for the ninth month in a row. Major offenses are down 3.1%, with an 11.8% decrease in murders. The subways also saw ongoing reduction in violence and disorder, down 8.7% percent.
• The Department of Justice weighs in on lawsuit over NYC's use of police instead of health professionals to respond to mental health crises.

LINKS OF INTEREST

• NYC's top 25 hotels per Condé Nast Traveler 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards
• Retail vacancy rates hit record lows, below 15%
• Met Museum holds #1 ranking globally on Yelp (Central Park is #4)
• The New York Botanical Garden hosts Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail through November 30th
• Uniqlo’s sister brand GU opens first U.S. flagship in SoHo
• Opened Wednesday, collaborative dining-listening space TECHNICA HOUSE–New York
• Danny Meyers to close Blue Smoke in Battery Park, taking over Times Square revolving restaurant the View
• Third location of cocktail parlor Dear Irving on Broadway opening in the Theater District on Friday

BEYOND NYC

• The summer that Europe turned on tourists

CLOSING TIME

• North River Lobster Company done after a decade
• Throwback The Press Club Grill closes up, transforms into B&L Diner
• Three NYC Amazon Go stores are gone
• Water for Elephants and The Notebook to end Broadway runs

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

September is coming in with strong numbers for NYC tourism, something to keep in mind for next year. The US Open, New York Fashion Week, and the UN General Assembly all bring in affluent demographics and fill the city's rooms—it's reflected in the average daily rate at the hotels, which was $351 for the first week of the month.

• The US Open. Now much more than a sporting event, the US Open surpassed one-million attendees for the first time this year (1,048,669 to be exact, an 8% increase in attendance over 2023).
• Festivals are going strong. Food and drink lead the way in a fall season full of events; the Feast of San Gennaro is expected to attract a million visitors this year.
• Solid numbers on Broadway. The week that ended on Sunday saw capacity at 94%, with grosses up 7% over the previous week, fueled in part by NYC Broadway Week.

City Guide makes weekly verification calls to hotels to ensure steady supplies of City Guides and City Maps. Our calls this week reflect the strength of the city's September arrivals, with many hotels reporting 100% occupancy and some sold out through the end of the month. One concierge noted an additional factor for September occupancy: "The hotel is booked solid because the Yankees are doing good!"

Skylift, opening this fall at Rockefeller Center. A revolving platform lifts guests three stories above the observation deck, for 360-degree views of the city and beyond. At the pinnacle Skylift captures video of each guest, set against the backdrop of the city’s landmarks, for a memorable souvenir.

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• NYC claims seven of the top 20 U.S. tourism spots in new study
• NYC holds four of the world's top 100 pizza spots, including the #1 overall
• Ice cream phenom Salt & Straw's first NYC location opens Friday on the Upper West Side
• Florence-based luxury brand LuisaViaRoma opens NYC flagship downtown
• Michael White's new high-end Italian Santi opening next month in Midtown East 
• Locanda Verde to roll out sibling location in Hudson Yards in November

NYC HOTEL NEWS

Michelin has revealed its new list of One, Two, and Three Key properties. Congrats to the NYC hotels that have been selected—the Three Key designation is particularly select, with only 16 hotels honored in the U.S.

NYC's Three Key Hotels

• Aman New York
• Casa Cipriani New York
• Crosby Street Hotel, Firmdale Hotels
• The Whitby Hotel, Firmdale Hotels

NYC's Two Key Hotels

• Hotel Barrière Fouquet's New York
• Nine Orchard
• Pendry Manhattan West
• The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel
• The Fifth Avenue Hotel
• The Mark Hotel

UPDATES ON HOTEL LICENSING BILL

• NYC hoteliers take to streets to fight licensing bill
• Hoteliers warn licensing bill would kill small operators

NATIONAL

• U.S. proposes delaying REAL ID requirements until 2027; U.S. passports can now be renewed online
• U.S. road trips expected to increase due to uncertainty and rising consumer debt

CLOSING TIME

• After six decades, La Grenouille bids adieu
• Ciao to Obicà Flatiron

CRIME AND SAFETY NEWS

• The NYPD launches "Operation Front Door," targeting pedicabs and illegal street vendors taking advantage of tourists.
• The reduction in overall crime continued for an eighth month in a row in August, dropping 6.4% from the same month a year ago. Robbery was down 8.7% and grand larceny was down 9.5%.
• Subway crime is down 5.5% for August, marking seven straight months of declines. 2024 is setting up to be the third-safest year on record for straphangers.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024

FALL EXPECTATIONS—LATEST TOURISM DATA

"They're spending the money still," Fernando Gonzalez, CEO of NYC luxury travel agency First in Service, says of his customers. "I think what is different than beginning or mid-pandemic is that they are looking for value." As we move into the fall, expect travel enthusiasm to remain high, but with consumers looking to be educated as they spend more thoughtfully.

• Record Labor Day Travel. Every day over the long weekend, the TSA exceeded 2023 for screenings, setting a record for travel. (Airfares hitting historic lows is a big factor.)
• Travel Prices Are Stable. “Overall, comparisons month-to-month, year-over-year, and against pre-COVID-19 levels all show today’s prices are more favorable for travelers," according to Joshua Friedlander, Vice President of Research at the U.S. Travel Association.
• Sales Are Exceeding Expectations. "Projections of waning traveler demand are not reflected in U.S. agency sales to start the second half of the year, which is positive news for both travel agencies and airlines," notes Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) Chief Commercial Officer Steve Solomon.
• Manhattan Bounce Back. Office building foot traffic hit 90% of pre-pandemic levels last month, leading the nation (the U.S. average stand at 72% return).
• Epic fail: How union, politicians botched a hotel “safety” bill. The Real Deal's Erik Engquist breaks down how the controversial bill would devastate the city's hotel economy. 

Madame Tussauds New York continues its multimillion dollar revamp with its new Music area. A highlight of the installation is a brand-new wax figure of Drake, showing off his signature style.

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• After a 5-year hiatus, the Taste of Times Square returns September 9th
• Airbnb asks NYC to reconsider regulations on short-term rentals
• Massive eatery Grand Brasserie opening in former City Winery space at Grand Central
• $35 D.C. steak frites player Medium Rare now open on Third Avenue in Midtown East
• NYC Broadway Week with 2-for-1 tickets through September 15th
• Piano bar meets supper club So&So’s opening at Romer Hell’s Kitchen on Friday
• Pen Top, transformed rooftop bar at The Peninsula New York, opening September 10th
• Parisian cocktail bar Experimental Cocktail Club returns to NYC, in the Flatiron, September 10th
• Paleyland returns to The Paley Museum on November 20th

NEW IMMERSIVES

• Jimmy Fallon reveals Tonightmares, all-new haunted maze experience at Rockefeller Center, opening September 20th

• Manga publisher Kodansha opening immersive pop up Kodansha House: Where Manga Meets in SoHo, starting October 4th and running through the month

• Squid Game: The Experience NYC opens October 11th near Herald Square

NATIONAL

• The end of the fake review era? FTC bans AI reviews, paid praise, and biased influencer reviews, with broad implications for travel
• Guided tours are making a major comeback, led by enthusiasm among Millennials (81%) and Gen Z (80%) 

CLOSING TIME

• Clara and Cafe 77 have closed at the New-York Historical Society
• Vegan favorite Blossom shuts down final location
• The Notebook to close on Broadway December 15th

CRIME AND SAFETY NEWS

• Brooklyn recorded the fewest shootings ever between June and August, reflecting a 74% decrease since 2020

• NYPD increases patrols in Central Park

• Times Square Alliance president Tom Harris and Garment District Alliance president Barbara Blair pen op-ed calling for the passage of the Supportive Interventions Act, facilitating involuntary treatment in mental health crises.

AUGUST 14, 2024

SHIFTS IN TOURISM

Tourism remains strong nationally, but the first signs of softening for the balance of the year are starting to appear. Expedia Chief Financial Officer Julie Whalen notes that “entering the third quarter we have seen a more challenging macro environment and a slowdown in travel demand consistent with recent commentary from others in the travel industry.” Hilton raised its 2024 profit forecast but signaled the post-pandemic travel surge is leveling off (although higher-level tourists remain active spenders). Marriott CFO Leeny Oberg reports that "Worldwide RevPAR growth is still anticipated to be driven by another year of strong growth in group revenue, continued improvement in business transient revenues, and slower but still growing leisure revenues."

• New NYC Tourism Report. A new release from consulting firm McKinsey & Company breaks down NYC's tourism rebound. It notes visitors "increasingly venturing beyond Manhattan, looking for one-of-a-kind adventures and spending time outdoors." 

• Growth and Stability. A new report from the U.S. Travel  Association shows 92% of Americans planning trips within the next six months. TSA passenger counts still at record levels, and inbound visitors up 18% this year.

• Downtown as a Destination. Lower Manhattan’s second quarter occupancy rate was 89%, the highest rate on record, as was the average daily rate ($317). The marks outpaced midtown and citywide, despite strength in those markets as well.

FIGHTING THE HOTEL LICENSING BILL
The NYC hotel and business community continues to oppose the burdensome new hotel licensing bill proposed by the City Council. The NY Post reports on a new lobbying group, Hotel Owners of New York, formed to take on the bill. Preventing passage is important for more than just hoteliers, as the bill's effects ripple out to include nightlife, restaurants, and the broader tourism industry. A recent revision to the bill is doing little to allay concerns, with Vijay Dandapani, President and CEO of the Hotel Association of New York City, quoted as saying “The authors of this bill continue to act in bad faith, making changes without any expert input from the industry after claiming they would pause to discuss the bill’s many flaws."

LINKS OF INTEREST

• Alice’s Tea Cup to stage comeback
• The Meatpacking District will host 100 life-size elephant statues starting September 6th 
• Contemporary Mexico City-inspired restaurant Nizuc opening August 15th in Hudson Yards

STARS ARE COMING TO NYC THEATRE

• Alyssa Milano will make her Broadway debut in Chicago on September 16th
• Audra McDonald will reopen Broadway's Majestic in Gypsy, previews starting in November
• Annie with Whoopi Goldberg to play the Theater at Madison Square Garden December 4th-January 5th
• Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter to star in Waiting for Godot on Broadway next fall

SEPTEMBER BROADWAY PREVIEWS

• McNeal (previews begin September 5th at the Vivian Beaumont Theater)
• The Hills of California (previews begin September 11th at the Broadhurst Theatre)
• Yellow Face (previews begin September 13th at the Todd Haimes Theatre)
• Our Town (previews begin September 19th at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre)
• Left on Tenth (previews begin September 26th at the James Earl Jones Theatre)
• Romeo + Juliet (previews begin September 26th at the Circle in the Square Theatre)
• Sunset Boulevard (previews begin September 28th at the St. James Theatre)

NATIONAL

• Airbnb is having a “terrible summer,” offering a premium product as more travelers seek bargains

CRIME AND SAFETY NEWS

• The reduction in overall crime continued for a seventh straight month in July, down 4.2% year over year. Robbery was down 4% and felony assault down 3%.

• Recent media coverage highlights specific places that remain challenging, including the Post on the west side and the Times on the quality of life issues persisting along Eighth Avenue

• Transit crime was also down, dropping 19.7% compared to a year ago, and 7.7% for the year to date.

• More than 750 NYC stores selling weed without license have been shuttered since May

JULY 31, 2024

LATEST TOURISM DATA

U.S. travel intentions remain strong, with 68% planning vacations—the highest confidence level since research began in 2009. Younger travelers are leading the way, with ages 18-34 at 71%. “This year’s Vacation Confidence Index proves that Americans are in fact prioritizing their travel plans in 2024,” says Daniel Durazo, Director of External Communications at Allianz Partners USA. “Despite citing financial constraints and other external factors, Americans are even more determined to travel to their destination of choice.” 

• Met Attendance Recovers. The Metropolitan Museum of Art just released its fiscal year numbers and they're impressive: more than 5.5 million visitors. Domestic out-of-state visitors reached pre-pandemic levels and local NYC visitors were at 102% against 2019. BIPOC visitors accounted for a record-high 56% of U.S. visitors.
• NYC Hotels Still Running Strong. NYC had the highest figures among STR's top 25 markets last month in all three performance metrics: occupancy (2.5% increase over last year to 87.8%), ADR (up 4.4% to $318), and RevPAR (up 7% to $279.08).
• Shifting Demographics. A new report from location analysts Placer.ai notes the increase in NYC tourists arriving from nearby metro areas (and a dropoff in longer distance domestic arrivals). Other data there points to visitors skewing younger and New York attractions capturing more "Educated Urbanites."

International travel is still lagging, put off by a strong dollar and inflation-influenced U.S. prices—the Europe/U.S. tourism trade gap hit a 20-year high, up 66% in a year. 2024 is still expected to exceed 2023 for tourism, but Travel Leaders Network President Roger Block echoes travel agent booking reports by noting "we are seeing not softening but leveling off."

New immersive installation SHADES brings photogenic pops of color to Edge, on display through September. SHADES presented by La Roche-Posay at Edge, interior view, courtesy of Edge.

TOURISM STAT PACK

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• Tourism and hotel professionals cheer delay in hearing on unpopular hotel licensing bill
• As Off-Broadway struggles, Soho Rep to leave its Tribeca home to share space with Playwrights Horizons in midtown
• Hudson River Park waterfront from Heliport to Intrepid to be transformed with $65 million redesign
• Improv spot Upright Citizens Brigade NYC launches comeback, in preview mode in the East Village
• Ghirardelli opening Empire State Building storefront August 6th
• Kids Night on Broadway returns August 20th
• Le Dîner en Blanc returns to NYC, September 26th
• New holiday installation for Citi Field as Tianyu Lights Festival arrives November 14th

BROADWAY

• Psychological thriller Job opened July 30th at the Helen Hayes Theatre
• Once Upon a Mattress revival opening August 12th at the Hudson Theatre
• Patti LuPone and Mia Farrow star in new comedy The Roommate, in previews August 29th at the Booth Theatre
• Previews for Robert Downey Jr.in McNeal at the Vivian Beaumont Theater start September 5th
• Musician Adam Lambert and film actress Auli’i Cravalho will join the cast of Cabaret September 16th
• Comedy Oh, Mary! extends run to November 10th, breaks Lyceum Theatre box office record

NATIONAL

• GBTA predicts business travel spending will hit record this year
• Trump vs. Harris: What Each Administration Would Mean for the Travel Industry

CLOSING TIME

• Old-time Midtown East bar Neary's done after 57 years
• Alice's Tea Cup is done
• East Village bar-restaurant Boulton & Watt closing after 11 years
• After 46 years on Theatre Row, West Bank Cafe and Laurie Beechman Theatre to close August 24th

CRIME & SAFETY NEWS

• City posts final surveillance policy for gun detection scanner pilot program, to be deployed in the subways
• Weekly migrant arrivals in NYC dip below 1,000 for the first time since 2022

JULY 17, 2024

LATEST TOURISM DATA

The main travel narratives of the summer continue: travel prices are declining but inflation remains a check on spending; record volumes of Americans are out traveling; and credit card debt is restraining lower income households while higher earners continue to spend. Data to note:

• "Inflation is easing across the board—and travel-related goods and services are at the forefront," per the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI).
• TSA screened 32 million passengers between June 27th and July 8th, up 5.4% from a year ago. On Sunday, July 7th, the agency processed 3,013,413 travelers to set an all-time record.
• "According to consumer surveys, projected leisure traveler spend in the next 12 months is 'off the charts,' " per Aran Ryan, director of industry studies at Tourism Economics. Higher income baby boomers and Gen Xers are atop the expected travel spends.

TOURISM STAT PACK

CITY GUIDE NEWS

• Reaching group travelers with City Guide. Did you know City Guide distributes to NYC meetings and conventions? Upcoming magazine placements include the 18th International Human Rights Summit at the UN and the 2024 SYTA Annual Conference. If your hotel has a group coming in and need copies for attendees, email distribution@davlermedia.com.

• Concierge Connections new program. As a service to the NYC hospitality community, City Guide is creating a database for the 1,200 NYC concierges. Concierge Connections will list the right contact person at hundreds of NYC venues to book a group or VIP. You can add your business to the database here.

NYC

• Congrats to George Gaffney, Chef Concierge at the Beekman hotel, as he gets the Times treatment for "How a Hotel Concierge Spends His Sundays"
• Laurie Cumbo, commissioner of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, on how culture drives NYC tourism
• Some dining sheds will be going away: DOT is requiring registrations by August 3rd
• Travel + Leisure readers pick their 15 favorite NYC hotels
• Cocktails, bites, and high-tech shuffleboard at new NoMad spot Electric Shuffle
• Vintage Green indoor/outdoor rooftop bar opening atop the Shelburne Sonesta Hotel
• Papaya King open again across from torn-down former location
• New Bravo show-themed immersive Diamonds & Rosé Experience by Bravo opening in the Financial District August 2nd
• Serendipity3 to expand, opening in the OYO Times Square Hotel
• The Surrey, a Corinthia Hotel, New York City reopens September 1st on the Upper East Side

CLOSING TIME

• After 23 years, Jane Restaurant in the Village is done
• Sarabeth's Tribeca closes up after 13 years

CRIME AND SAFETY NEWS

NYC

• Migrant arrivals in NYC have slowed dramatically; down 60-70% since the peak of 4,000 a week in January.
• Mayor Adams and D.A. Bragg announce the launch of the Midtown Community Improvement Coalition, bringing together law enforcement, officials, and community and business leaders to address public safety and quality of life in Midtown Manhattan.

NYPD

• For the sixth month in a row, overall index crime is down, dropping 4% from a year ago. Across the second quarter, major crime was down 2.7%.

MTA

• “Subway crime was down again last week, and it’s also down substantially for the first half of this year. Down 7% in 2024 for the first 6 months compared to 2023, and it’s down 11% – subway crime is down 11% compared to pre-COVID." —MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber

JULY 2, 2024

The TSA recently screened nearly three million passengers in a single day, setting an all-time record. The past month has seen some of the busiest travel days ever, with more on the way. 

• Air travel is up 5.4% against a year ago. American Airlines and United Airlines say this July 4th week will be their busiest ever, and the summer season will also break records.
• Car travel is up 4.8% over last year and 9.6% over 2019

• Other modes of transportation (including buses, boats, and trains) are up 9%

HOTEL OCCUPANCY

• For the second straight month, New York City in May posted the highest figures among top markets in all three hotel performance metrics: occupancy (up 5.8% year over year to 88.9%), Average Daily Rate (up 6.3% to $339.25), and Revenue Per Available Room (up 12.5% to $301.57).

• Nationally, luxury hospitality is up 1.8% this year while economy hotel occupancy is down 3.4%, which is unusual (they tend to move in tandem with GDP growth).

NYC's high hotel prices will affect discretionary spending. The increased rates divert spending away from activities, dining, and shopping. This requires more strategic planning by all destinations to capture their market share. With the shift to more affluent travelers, this summer's visitors will be less sensitive to pricing and more motivated by whether an experience is worth the investment in their time.

SUMMER TRAVEL TRENDS

• Travel duration is up. Hertz notes 52% of American travelers will travel more this summer than they did last summer, with the most popular destinations being the beach (40%), urban centers (34%) and small towns (30%).

• Despite inflation, travel remains a priority. American Express sees 84% of respondents planning to maintain or increase their travel spending compared to last year, with 77% prioritizing the right travel experience over trip costs. More than two-thirds of Gen Xers and millennials say they are cutting back on dining out to pay for travel.
• Travelers are getting younger. In 2024, Millennials and Gen Z are significantly increasing their travels, while demand for travel among Gen X and Boomers remains steady. For younger travelers, culture is becoming more important—a top motivator for 50% of Gen Z travelers. 

Congratulations to the Empire State Building, just named the #1 Attraction in the World in Tripadvisor's 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards for the third year in a row.

NYC

• The Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center is now open
• Performance and food meet at Hell's Kitchen's new FOODANCE
• Wine bar, restaurant and lounge, and performance venue in one as mastercard midnight by navarro’s launches in Manhattan West
• Favorite Taiwanese chain Din Tai Fung to open giant NYC location on July 11th
• Toronto luxury social beauty club Majesty's Pleasure opening Flatiron flagship this month
• Celeb hotspot Delilah signs lease in the Meatpacking 
• Four Seasons finally reopening in NYC in September

CLOSING TIME

• After 68 years, Chelsea's Billy Mark’s West throws in the towel
• Sushi pioneer Fuji Sushi closes in Columbus Circle after seven decades
• Dos Caminos shutters West Village location

JUNE 13, 2024

The latest data on tourism suggests a busy summer for New York City. The sole element that looks to be soft is lower income travelers, who will be impacted by high hotel rates and other elements of inflation. (The Average Daily Rate for NYC hotels has risen to $358 in the latest report.)

• From the 2024 Deloitte summer travel survey:
  "With more low-income Americans deterred by high prices, high-income Americans are expected to make up a much bigger share of the traveling public this summer—44%, versus 35% in 2023. Budgets are bigger: Each income group plans to spend 6% to 13% more than in 2023. Due to the growth in high-income influence, overall summer budgets are up 18%."

• STR and Tourism Economics 2024-2025 U.S. hotel forecast:
  “The increased cost of living is affecting lower-to-middle income households and their ability to travel, thus lessening demand for hotels in the lower price tier. The Upscale through Luxury tier is seeing healthy demand, but pricing power has waned given changes in mix and travel patterns and to a lesser extent, economic conditions." 
   
• From Future Partners' The State of the American Traveler June analysis:
  "Travel brands should expect a strong summer of travel. The majority (62%) of American travelers are currently prioritizing spending on leisure travel in the next three months. These travelers are more likely to be higher income, with 77.8% of those who have an income of over $200k saying they have a leisure trip planned in the next three months, compared to 56.4% of travelers with an income below $50k."

This summer the tourist demographic will shift. Higher income travelers want to know if your venue is worth their time. City Guide has ideas about how to get your marketing to stand out—read the latest from City Guide News, Tourists Want to Be Educated.

New York City's tourism forecast remains strong despite lingering inflation.

• The Office of the New York State Comptroller has released its Tourism Industry report: 
  "New York’s tourism sector is approaching a complete recovery as visitor spending and related tax revenue have surpassed pre-pandemic levels...The city estimates it will exceed pre-pandemic levels and welcome a record 68 million visitors by 2025."
   
• Statue City Cruises notes visitation to the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island last year reached more than 3.7 million, the 14th highest ever. This year is expected to be close to 2019 volumes. International tourists account for 27% of the ridership.
   
• There's good news from Broadway as well, leading up to Sunday night's Tony Awards, grosses rose 7% over the previous week and attendance reflected a 14% bump over this time last year.

Congratulations to the 20 amazing New York tourism professionals honored at the 2024 Women In Tourism Awards on May 29th at City Winery. Be inspired by these women on this recap video; you can also find a selection of event photos on City Guide's Facebook. The 2024 Women In Tourism Commemorative Journal is here. A huge thank you to Delta Air Lines, the Presenting Sponsor, and to the six Celebration Sponsors—American Dream, Anchor, City Cruises, The Seaport, Starbright Floral Design, and SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.

TOURISM DATA STAT PACK

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• Attaboy spins off new spritz bar Good Guy’s on the Lower East Side
• The Conrad New York Midtown reflags from Hilton to Marriott, is now The Luxury Collection Hotel Manhattan Midtown
• Le Tout Va Bien, opened in 1949, returns to Hell’s Kitchen under new ownership
• 360-degree views from new A to Z Fifth Rooftop in Midtown West
• Media art, restaurant, and lounge NOFLEX NYC opens in NoMad
• 1604 Broadway opens with four floors rooted in Latin music, food, and entertainment
• Bourbon Steak debuts inside the JW Marriott Essex House New York
• Grayson Hotel hidden taco garden Tacalle now open
• Kokos at Pearl Alley brings tropical, waterfront vibes to The Seaport
• The Summer Terrace by Nordstrom now open for the season
• Manhattan West adding a P.J. Clarke’s Oyster Bar & Grille
• Starting Wednesday and running through August 10th, Lincoln Center's Summer for the City brings hundreds of events and public access
• July 3rd through August 24th, new interactive exhibition Balloon Story takes up residency at the Park Avenue Armory

HOTELS

• Strong economic report includes 42,000 new jobs in the hospitality and leisure sector
• Hotel staffing issues are getting worse; nationally 76% report shortages

CLOSING TIME

• El Centro done in Hell's Kitchen after nearly 20 years
• SoHo spot Osteria Morini has closed after 14 years, seeking new space
• After two decades, Extra Virgin in the West Village has closed
• Salt Bae bids goodbye to the Meatpacking: Nusr-Et Steakhouse closes
• UES fixture Sel et Poivre is done after 35 years
• Verōnika and Chapel Bar closing June 15th as Fotografiska announces plans to vacate and relocate Park Avenue South space

City Guide welcomed NYC concierge for some great nights out in the city last month. Click through to City Guide's Facebook for some shots of the action, which included visits to Cafe Paradiso and the Metropolitan Opera; the Hard Rock Cafe; Bond 45; Imaginari; and (pictured here) Eataly NYC Downtown, part of an epic evening that also included the Oculus Beer Garden, Shops at the Oculus, and sunset views from One World Observatory. Reach out if we can help connect your business with the city's vibrant concierge community.

NYC CRIME UPDATE

• Overall index crime dropped another 2.4% last month against the previous year, with major crime categories of murder, burglary, grand larceny, and grand larceny auto each seeing dramatic reductions.

• Crime in the transit system continued its remarkable downward trend, dropping another 10.6%. Now well below pre-pandemic levels, the reduction marks the fourth straight month of double-digit declines in crime.

• Gov. Hochul likely to keep National Guard in NYC subway this summer.
• The Washington Post claps back at the House Judiciary Committee over NYC safety, notes 28% drop in robberies in the 14th Precinct, which includes Times Square.

MAY 15, 2024

The Michelin Guide has unveiled its inaugural list of Michelin Key recipients and congrats are in order for several New York properties. Only 11 hotels received "Three Key" honors and four of them are in NYC:

• Crosby Street Hotel
• The Whitby Hotel
• Aman New York
• Casa Cipriani New York

"Two Key" honors went to The Fifth Avenue Hotel, The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, The Mark Hotel, Hotel Barrière Fouquet's New York, Nine Orchard, and Pendry Manhattan West (see the full list, including NYC's One Key winners, here).

Congratulations also to NYC Tourism + Conventions President and CEO Fred Dixon, who has accepted the position of President and CEO to lead Brand USA, effective June 5th. City Guide wishes him well.

Recent data from Brand USA noted the resurgence in enthusiasm for travel to the U.S. India has already exceeded its 2019 visitation levels and Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and the UK are poised to follow within a year. Other signs pointing to a busy summer for NYC tourism in 2024:

• The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) predicts 2024 will be a record-breaking year for the global travel industry (leisure travel leads the way)
• The UK market to New York has topped one million for first time since the pandemic
• Lower Manhattan saw its highest hotel occupancy rate in 16 years, reflecting a 6% rise from a year ago
• AAA predicts the highest number of Memorial Day travelers in nearly two decades

NYC’s newest attraction is Tribeca’s IMAGINARI, an immersive blending art, science, and entertainment. Installations include towering 6-foot insects, a sprawling milkweed garden, and a magnificent cherry tree enveloped by blossoms and monarch butterflies.

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• Hotel occupancy swells to 82% as city policies create more demand
• Supertalls part of planned Hudson Yards expansion
• The Rock Center Rink is done for the season, transforming into a summer oasis with games, movie nights, and new dining options from NARO and Jupiter
• Times Square Alliance & Playbill announce 3rd Annual Pride in Times Square Celebration, June 28th-29th

BEYOND NYC

• The U.S. travel industry will see a full recovery in Chinese and Japanese tourism by 2026—one year earlier than previously projected
• U.S. hotels to pay record-high wages amid worker shortage
• Q1 numbers for Hyatt breaking records for the brand; business travel recovery is a major factor
• Corporate travel also leading Delta to record revenues

OPENINGS

• Broadway's Palace Theatre reopens after 6 year hiatus
• Return of a Lower East Side legend: Sammy's Roumanian Steakhouse
• Leica opens duplex gallery and flagship store on West 13th
• Chef Marc Murphy reopening the Landmarc space as Marc179
• New Gilded Age homage The Alderman now open at the Motto by Hilton New York City Times Square
• Stand Up NY launches new home at Bond 45
• NoMad Diner now open at Arlo NoMad
• The Central Park Boathouse (above) has fully reopened
• Ancient Rome-themed gay bar VV Bar now open in former ViceVersa space
• Italian-inspired cocktail lounge The Bronze Owl now open in Greeley Square
• HK Hall taking on former Opry City Stage for new nightclub

CLOSING TIME

• Century-old instrument store Sam Ash closing legendary midtown location
• Charlie Palmer Steak closes in former Aureole space, as Palmer prepares for opening of Charlie Palmer Steak IV at The Knickerbocker Hotel
• After two decades, Mary’s Fish Camp is done in the Village (Ed's Lobster Bar, too)
• After 13 years, celeb spot LAVO shutters, plans to reopen as a restaurant