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

NYC CRIME STATS

• Overall index crime across New York City dropped another 5% in April as major crimes in the subway system plummeted 23% (continuing a trend that saw decreases of 15.4% percent in February and 23.5% percent in March).

• A study on urban gun violence notes "a city of New York’s population size should have way more gun homicides per capita than it does." Of all the studied cities, NYC had the largest gap between prediction and reality.

MARCH 25, 2024

• Tourism is an exception to inflation. Airline prices are down 6% year over year and 15% from a decade ago; personal finance company NerdWallet has a new Travel Price Index, which affirms the lower flight prices for March and stable pricing across tourism.
• Business travel could reach full recovery in 2024. A forecast of 95% recovery could revise upward; NYC is the #1 destination for long-haul travel for business.
• Luxury travel will be big this year. “While I think the pandemic created a new market for luxury travel, it has steadied out by now, but with a permanent and significant influx of travelers that can never go back now that they’ve gotten a taste for luxury travel,” according to Jonathan Alder, CEO of Jonathan’s Travels.
• Beyond luxury, travel spends are up. “We have not seen any slowdown and we continue to produce record-breaking numbers and we have seen a huge increase in the amount of money people are spending on their trips,” Dreamers Travel’s Mark Hennigan reports. “The average client booking $3,000-$4,000 trips are now spending $5,000-$7,000 trips.”

The spending data is a reminder that today's visitor is not seeking out discounts, and is instead motivated by stand-out experiences.

NYC

• Application period begins for new Dining Out NYC regime
• World Cup to be boost for American Dream mall
• LaGuardia ranked best in its class in North America
• Resorts World Casino promotes $5 billion plan to transform Queens into entertainment and gambling hub
• Mayor Eric Adams announces all-time high for city jobs, at 4,730,066
• Don Angie spins off seafood-centric follow-up San Sabino
• Downtown nightlife fave Smith & Mills opens Rock Center outpost
• Delmonico’s opening sister restaurant Tucci in Noho
• P.J. Clarke’s expands Brookfield Place footprint with a new oyster bar

BEYOND NYC

• New York’s hotels could reap $380M from short-term rental restrictions
• Hotel jobs in demand, expected to grow 12% over the next 5 years, outpacing other sectors
• Hotel sector compensation to be up 20% over pre-pandemic levels; 79% of surveyed hotels report staffing shortages
• Election year won't slow bookings

FEBRUARY 26, 2024

As temperatures rise we expect the current slow spell to give way to a strong tourist season. New York City Tourism + Conventions has released its latest Fact Sheet, projecting an increase in NYC tourism this year to 64.5 million visitors. Last year's final numbers are in the Fact Sheet and show an 8% annual increase in domestic tourists and a 15% increase in international visitors. For the latter, data points toward continuing recovery:

• Visa interview waivers have been extended for low-risk applicants, adding 2.2 million visitors nationally and $5.9 billion in spend for 2024.

• International travel to the U.S. is estimated to increase 15.4% in 2024, with ongoing continued growth in the coming years.

New York remains a highly desirable destination:

• Amid 2024 predictions from tourism research firm Future Partners, NYC remains the #1 domestic destination, while American interest in foreign travel drops 6 points.
• Tripadvisor's 2024 Travelers' Choice Awards Best of the Best also has NYC at #1, and the only U.S. destination to crack the global top 25. (Time Out ranks NYC #1 out of every city in the world.)
• Expedia's data on spring break trends shows preferences for warm weather spots, but NYC is a solid #5 among domestic destinations.

The 18 shows opening on Broadway in the next few weeks are another draw. The city's street level experience will change as well, with some dining sheds going away next month as the city launches new policies for outdoor dining.

The increase in U.S. consumer confidence last month will add to momentum for travel. The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index hit a two-year high on surging views of current conditions and declining pessimism about the future.

TOURISM STAT PACK

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• East Midtown Greenway and Andrew Haswell Green Park open
• City seeks "entertainment and amusement" destination on Staten Island waterfront
• MetroCards will be phased out this year, replaced by OMNY
• Off-Broadway feels the squeeze
• Broadway full recovery still a ways off
• Fine dining destination Cafe Boulud reopens on the Upper East Side
• Fogo de Chão signs lease at the Oculus, and joins the Escape Game at City Point in Brooklyn
• Buzzy Frog Club now in at former Chumley's space
• New immersive Mercer Labs open in preview downtown
• Airbnb crackdown is a windfall for NYC hotels
• Serafina Restaurant Group unveils new Vino e Cucina in FiDi
• New immersive Mercer Labs open in preview downtown
• Warren Street Hotel cuts ribbon in Tribeca
• Museum of Food and Drink reopens in new DUMBO space
• Fast-growing chicken spot Raising Cane’s adds Downtown Brooklyn and Harlem to Times Square and Astor Place locations
• Mini golf date spot Puttery coming to the Meatpacking
• Live music venue Brooklyn Paramount opening next month with opulent 1920s interior

CLOSING TIME

• Westfield plans to pull out of Fulton Center
• The Rubin Museum of Art to leave its building this fall
• Frick Madison sets March 3, 2024 closing date ahead of return to renovated home—which will boast 14 bars
• Pierre Michel Salon closes, morphs into the Jerome Lordet Salon
• The Market Line is closing amid food hall fatigue

LATEST CRIME UPDATE

• Major crime declined 3% last month compared to a year ago. The data adds to the ongoing reductions of 2023, which saw the fourth-lowest number of shooting victims in NYC in more than three decades.
• The "Migrant Crime Wave" narrative is not supported by data, despite high-profile incidents.

2024 TOURISM SEMINAR

On January 9th, 2024 at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, leaders of the NYC tourism industry came together for a review of 2023 and a detailed look at what to expect in 2024 and beyond. 

David Miller, CEO of Davler Media, led off the presentations, referring to the challenges in 2023, part of NYC tourism's ongoing post-pandemic evolution. Miller noted that the wall that many companies hit in May was due to inflation, which has led to "a more discriminating, more discerning tourist." Consumers are now looking to minimize their perceived risk, leading City Guide to position more of its content around the question, "Is it worth it?" Looking ahead to 2024, Miller is cautiously optimistic, referencing low unemployment, easing inflation, 401(k)s at record levels, and a consumer outlook that has finally shifted positive. His conclusion: "I think this year is going to end strong."

Other key takeaways from the forum:

• Jan Freitag, National Director, Hospitality Analytics for CoStar Group. NYC room demand is up 6.8% and occupancy growth is up 3.2%. Group travel is returning to New York, with September of 2023 on par with September 2019.
• Kelly Curtin, Executive Vice President, New York City Tourism + Conventions. New York City tourism is almost back at pre-pandemic numbers, with $50 billion in tourist spending last year. In 2024, NYC expects 64.5 million tourists, with an 81% domestic and 19% international split. For international travel, emerging markets are expected to grow and Chinese travelers will return to third place among foreign visitors by the end of 2025.
• John Chell, Chief of Patrol, NYPD. "The 2023 mandate was quite simple: bring crime down," according to Chief Chell. The NYPD saw a year of progress and stabilization, allowing attendees to be reminded that "We are by far the safest big city in this country."
• Marc Jablonski, Head of Business Intelligence, AKA. Speaking on the suburban/day-tripper, Jablonski noted habits have changed, people are selective, and there is confidence for tomorrow. A recent survey shows 80% of respondents have a high interest in visiting New York and of that cohort, 50% intend to come in the next 18 months. Echoing David Miller's observations, Jablonski noted that assurance and value are two key factors driving conversions—"It's not about money, it's about value."
• Michael Williams, General Manager and Managing Director, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. Continuing the theme of the need to reach a more discerning consumer, Williams encouraged attendees to challenge themselves, and never stop innovating. As he put it, "Don't be a commodity."
• Andrew Rigie, Executive Director, NYC Hospitality Alliance. Rigie conveyed both sides of the situation with NYC restaurants, with 48% doing higher or similar business of late, and 37% feeling optimistic. That said, January is down 7% on average, again likely an aftereffect of inflation. Rigie spoke about congestion pricing and potential ripple effects across catering, deliveries, and consumer access to the city. "Restaurants, nightlife, and culture have to be at the core" of the New York City recovery Rigie said, and "we are getting closer and closer and closer."
• Gretchen Scott, General Manager of Marketing, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Met has fully recovered (and is now outpacing) pre-Covid local and domestic attendance. International visitors are at around 55% of pre-pandemic numbers. The top 10 countries of origin have shifted, with Canada and Europe more represented than Asia There was a recent single day during the holiday break with more than 30,000 visitors to the museum—the Met is moving past pre- and post-Covid approaches to focus on year over year growth.

The seminar was made possible by hosts SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and City Guide, and by sponsors AKA, Anchor, and The Business Council.

You can watch the presentations via these links:

• Jan Freitag: National Director, Hospitality Analytics for CoStar Group
• Kelly Curtin: Executive Vice President, New York City Tourism + Conventions
• John Chell: Chief of Patrol, NYPD
• Marc Jablonski: Head of Business Intelligence, AKA
• Michael Williams: General Manager and Managing Director, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
• Andrew Rigie: Executive Director, NYC Hospitality Alliance
• Gretchen Scott: General Manager of Marketing, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Photography by Frank Rocco.

DECEMBER 1, 2023

As we enter December, signals on travel remain mixed. Enthusiasm for travel remains high, but there are factors dragging on NYC tourism.

CHALLENGES

• Hotels poised for strong holiday season fueled by business travel uptick
• Family travel is cooling amid affordability concerns
• Lower income levels are softening for travel plans (although among the affluent there's no drop; affluent travel will over-index the general market by 220% in 2024)
• Some international travelers can't book because visa wait times remain excessively long (although the State Department has just vowed to address the issue)
• The decline in international visitors can be seen in Empire State Building admissions
• Global tourism is softening with the season (although the drop off is worst for Europe); instead of NYC, many domestic tourists are booking Europe, where American travel is reaching new heights

ENCOURAGING

On the plus side, the latest data from Expedia Group shows steadying confidence for tourism. Among North American travelers, New York City is the #1 most-booked destination, and #2 in Latin American and Europe/Africa/Middle East. (NYC continues to trail among Asian travelers, at #8 for bookings.) Amadeus Market Intelligence notes New York City moved up this year from the second spot to #1 among U.S. domestic air destinations—beating the nearest competitor, D.C., by a factor of 1.4.

Record shopping numbers nationally last weekend point to ongoing resilience in consumer spending. (Broadway saw a substantial bump as well, with a 27.5% increase in grosses over the week before, marking the best week of the season to date.) Last month was good for NYC hotels, which had the highest occupancy (86.8%) among top markets, reflecting a 3% increase over a year ago.

For a full recovery of New York's tourism industry there will need to be a full return of bigger-spending international visitors. There are signs that may happen next year: increases in international air bookings point toward 2024 being travel's biggest year ever.

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• The best luxury hotels in New York
• Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel makes its official debut
• Bus ridership is near 2019 levels (if you count the people who don't pay)
• Future uncertain for Trump hospitality, Trump International Hotel & Tower New York
• Flatiron NoMad Partnership debuts “Winter Glow”
• Major Food Group opens private members club ZZ’s Club New York
• New restaurant and cocktail bar Allure opens at Hotel Belleclaire
• Elevated cocktail spot The Portrait Bar now open at The Fifth Avenue Hotel
• Tempo Times Square opens new outdoor dining terrace with cocktail lounge Highball
• Games-oriented nightlife spot The Lawn Club now open in the Seaport
• Crate & Barrel opens new flagship in the Flatiron
• Mark Wahlberg's sport utility gear shop MUNICIPAL now open at Hudson Yards
• The Elephant Room (TER), one of Asia's best bars, opening a Gramercy outpost on December 5th
• Mean Girls Experience coming to NYC in January
• The Travel & Adventure Show returning to the Javits, January 27th-28th

BEYOND NYC

• Hotels poised for strong holiday season fueled by business travel uptick
• Trip.com Group increased net revenue in the third quarter by 99% year over year, reflecting China travel recovery

CLOSING TIME

• After more than a decade, rooftop bar The Press Lounge and PRINT restaurant to close in Hell’s Kitchen
• Revel scooters are done, citing plummeting ridership

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

Thanksgiving is on pace to set records this year, with AAA Travel forecasting a 6.6% bump in U.S. air traffic. That would be the highest number since 2005. NYC is again a top 10 domestic destination for Thanksgiving. (Global air traffic remains strong, with U.S. air traffic this year 5% above pre-pandemic levels according to the International Air Transport Association.) The TSA is preparing for a record-breaking Thanksgiving as well; “We expect this holiday season to be our busiest ever,” according to TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “In 2023, we have already seen seven of the top 10 busiest travel days in TSA’s history.”

City Guide remains cautiously optimistic about an improving market for tourism.

• Inflation slowed last month, with a cooling of prices in gas, cars, and airfare.
• The latest numbers from Future Partners' "The State of the American Traveler" report show 35% of American travelers now feel better off compared to last year. VacationRenter reports 54% of Americans plan to travel more in 2024 compared to this year.
• NYC's in-office rate is the highest it's been since the pandemic. 
• The MTA topped one billion trips in 2023 on Tuesday. The milestone comes 6 weeks earlier than last year. Subway ridership continues to grow, with last week reflecting an 8% year over year increase over 2022.

WINNING THE IS IT WORTH IT FACTOR

The greatest impact of the post pandemic inflationary run up on the tourism industry is the metamorphosed consumer psychology. People have become more discerning about how they spend their time and treasure. As this WSJ article points out, when the price to participate in an activity increases, the bar to create a superior memory is also elevated. In today’s environment, leaving a guest feeling that the experience was “worth it” requires more than just putting the fundamental product out there. Every aspect of the interaction with the visitor must leave her happier, smarter, or feeling special. This is the operations challenge.

Experience marketers face the challenge of how to convincingly communicate that the memory you create deserves a consumer’s discretionary time and money. It starts by adhering to a basic tenet of marketing: promote the benefit, not the feature. Connect with a consumer’s emotions—how she will feel when she leaves your venue. Unless a campaign establishes a high level of confidence that her life will be enriched, she is not coming to you. Effective marketing minimizes consumers’ perceived risk that selecting an activity meets the “is it worth it” standard.

Today’s economic factors spawn an environment where what got raves pre-pandemic, might be described as only okay today. This applies to Broadway, attractions, restaurants, and even museums. Meeting the “worth it” standard is the minimum requirement; communicating why it is “worth it” is what will determine an activity's success. —David Miller

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• Fifth Avenue will host Open Streets on December 3rd, 10th, and 17th. “The Gift of Fifth” celebrates the avenue with one-of-a-kind retail experiences and holiday decor
• Downtown Manhattan Heliport to become electric transport hub—new electrified air taxis are coming
• The Apollo to open new theatre and gallery space in February as The Apollo Stages at the Victoria Theater marks the institution's first-ever physical expansion
• Times Square Alliance looks to take over more of midtown’s plazas
• Skating time in NYC: the Oculus transforms into a rink, Sky Skate returns to Edge; check out our roundup of NYC's top skating destinations

BEYOND NYC

• Experiences increasingly driving tourist behavior
• Latest numbers from the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) show a 32% increase year to date in international tourism spending in the U.S.
• Viator is seeing longer and more expensive trips, with much lower cancellation rates
• U.S. hotel profitability reflecting gains in corporate demand and group travel

CLOSING TIME

• WeWork declares bankruptcy, dumps 1,500,000 square feet onto the NYC office market
• Nordstrom Rack closing in Downtown Brooklyn

CRIME AND SAFETY NEWS

NYPD

• Last month's citywide statistics reflect a continuing drop in crime. Year over year shootings were down 8%, arrests were up, and overall index crime declined by 3%.

CITY HALL

• Mayor Adams launches task force to combat retail theft

CONCIERGE NIGHTS

Chef David Burke hosted NYC concierge at David Burke Tavern, complete with servings of world-famous Clothesline Bacon.Coming next month from Chef Burke: Park Ave Kitchen by David Burke on Lexington and 48th.

NOVEMBER 2, 2023

The start of November brings the holiday season into clearer focus. Data to note:

• Inbound travel continues to rebound nationally with NYC the top destination for overseas visitors. More than half of U.S. arrivals came on vacation, with a year over year spend increase of 33%. Europe was the top source, at 43%. 
• The 2023 Allianz Partners Top 10 Thanksgiving Destination Index shows NYC as the #1 domestic destination, for the third year in a row.
• The Hospitality Group and Business Performance Index by Knowland and Amadeus reveals New York City has recovered over 111% of pre-pandemic group revenue.
• If it seems like downtown is busier than ever on the weekends, you're not imagining it. Location intelligence firm Placer.ai has a new report noting weekend visits are up against 2019, with the Lower East Side popping more than 14% and the East Village over 20%. (A demographic breakdown reveals the area is attracting wealthier visitors on the weekends, with rising interest among college students and retirees.) 

Globally, data supports ongoing strength for tourism:

• Quality over quantity: in-destination experience firm Arivel forecasts fewer planned trips for 2024, but in-market spends going way up; younger travelers are leading the way on experiential purchases. Online travel company Viator sees the same: longer, more expensive trips with more in-destination spend.
• "Consumer spending should remain resilient especially through the holiday season because unemployment levels remain low and wages continue to grow," says Michael Ashley Schulman, partner and CIO at Running Point Capital Advisors.

17,000 floral lights are coming to a 6-acre Midtown East lot near the East River. British artist Brunce Munro and a development company are behind Field of Light at Freedom Plaza, which opens December 15th. Rendering: The Soloviev Foundation.

TOURISM STAT PACK

CLARA OPENS AT THE NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Image via Clara's Instagram.

Clara serves contemporary takes on classic New York dishes as the new restaurant at the New-York Historical Society. The Oberon Group is behind the opening, preparing lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. Sibling spot Café 77 will serve coffee, pastries, breakfast, lunch, and grab-and-go snacks. Outdoor dining will be available for both venues. (Clara takes its name from Clara Driscoll, the trailblazing woman who designed many of the Tiffany lamps on display in the museum.) 

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• City reports all jobs lost during pandemic have been recovered
• New website for business owners and entrepreneurs launched by the city
• Standard High Line Hotel returns to financial health thanks to tourism rebound
• NYC hotel rates soaring
• Gramercy Park the city's most interesting nabe?
• The Candy Cottage of Christmas Magic popping up in Rock Center
• Marcus Samuelsson opens Metropolis in the Perelman Performing Arts Center
• New sushi counter Coral opens in the MetLife Building
• Restaurant and craft cocktails coming to the Renwick Hotel as Agency of Record sets November 10th opening
• Perrine presents Diwali, Festival of Lights, with a traditional lighting ceremony and elevated Indian cuisine at The Pierre Hotel on November 10th

BEYOND NYC

• Profits up as basic economy sales soar for United; costs are up as well, but the airline is expanding inbound and outbound international travel
• Hilton exceeds revenue expectations
• In-person cultural attendance plummeting post-pandemic

CLOSING TIME

• Quality Eats shutters UES steakhouse after 6 years
• Momofuku Ko is done after 15 years
• Hot spot Lavo New York closing in January
• Cachet Hotel, successor to OUT NYC in Hell's Kitchen, is out after 6 years

CONCIERGE NIGHTS

The NYC concierge community has been out all around the city, learning first-hand about New York's newest culinary destination, Market 57; enjoying tacos, tequila, and cruising on the East River aboard La Barca Cantina; and a visit to City Guide's newest advertiser, Sugar Factory, before a night on Broadway at new musical Harmony.

Above: Market 57.

Above: La Barca Cantina.

Above: Sugar Factory. Pictured right: Rula Khoury, Sugar Factory with Eli Marcus, City Guide.

OCTOBER 18, 2023

There are two tourism narratives driving expectations for the remainder of the year. One is continuing caution around household finances, with high prices weighing on budgets. The second is the ongoing desirability of New York City and a continuing thirst for travel. Recent data toward the positives:

• For the third year in a row, NYC remains the top domestic destination for Thanksgiving travel. 
• Travel enthusiasm remains at peak levels according to market research firm Future Partners in its October State of the American Traveler report. Overnight leisure travel volume remains strong.
• 83% of Americans plan on taking a trip before year's end.
• Retail leasing is picking up in Manhattan thanks to rising hotel occupancy rates, mass-transit ridership, and tourism.
• Business travel recovery is accelerating, with an additional 32% growth on tap for this year. 
• Culture and experiences will drive leisure travel next year—great for NYC. 

Notes of caution include:

• The consumer spending pullback in August, amid higher price sensitivity, could carry over into the holidays.
• The Wall Street Journal notes rapid increases in live entertainment pricing as we enter the age of "funflation."
• Although inflation slowed last month, hotel rates and airfares are on the rise. (On the plus side, Thanksgiving airfares are down 13%.)

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• Stars are aligning for NYC hotel recovery
• "Times Square Goes From Deserted to Bustling"
• Luxury retail’s strong performance, paired with the continued strength of the bottom discount markets, is creating a barbell effect, according to CBRE
• Member blowback in favor of NYC keeps Toy Fair in the city after all
• Guy Fieri returning to Times Square
• High-tech shuffleboard coming to NYC
• New-York Historical Society announces new restaurant Clara 

BEYOND NYC

• Two-thirds of global travelers will reduce other areas of personal spending to prioritize leisure travel in 2024—especially Gen Z and Millennials
• Nearly 100,000 hospitality and leisure jobs added last month

CRIME AND SAFETY NEWS

NYPD

• Index crime was down again last month, with a 34.2% drop in shootings year over year. That continues a trend: there's a 27.1% decrease in shooting incidents citywide through the first nine months of 2023. Overall index crime last month was down 5.6% year over year.
• New data shows nearly a third of NYC shootings occur on just 3% of NYC streets.

OCTOBER 5, 2023

LATEST TOURISM DATA

Nearly all sectors of NYC tourism are experiencing the current headwinds: spending is down. Hotel costs are one ready explanation. The average daily rate in late September was $488.84, which is nearly one-third over the pre-pandemic benchmark. Only 400 Airbnb listings have been approved, removing thousands of options for travelers. The result is less room in the budget.

Against these challenges there are many data points supporting the strength of NYC as a destination. A recent City Guide event featured Erin Francis-Cummings, President + CEO of marketing research group Future Partners, giving a detailed report on the state of the city's tourism economy. Summary highlights are here; reach out if you'd like the full presentation, including trends, economics, demographics, sectors, and more.

• Airfares are dropping for the fall.
• Winter travel may finally cost less this year. "Globally, we see the U.S. as the top holiday destination, not just for Americans but for travelers the world over," says Misty Belles, vice president of global PR at Virtuoso. 
• Travel spending is expected to increase in 2024—respondents are targeting more expensive destinations and spending 20% more than a year ago.
• NYC's retail market is strengthening, including 34th Street, where foot traffic is improving thanks to a 20% increase this year in tourists visiting the Empire State Building.
• New York City Tourism + Conventions projects 12.1 million business travelers this fall, a jump of 33% over last fall. Hyatt reports business transient booking levels in New York are 20% over 2019 levels for October.
• NYC spent September at #1 for occupancy among top U.S. markets. 

A major takeaway from recent surveys is that despite rising prices, people are still prioritizing travel. PR firm 5WPR has fresh data on traveler thinking, noting more than 50% looking to splurge on travel and experience purchases (reflecting a 13% increase from a year ago). “Consumers are tapping into more than one channel to discover their next travel destination and curate one-of-a-kind experiences,” notes 5WPR Co-CEO Dara A. Busch. “Their multichannel approach to planning means it’s crucial for destinations and experiences to engage on all platforms, from traditional media like websites and print publications to social media and short-form video apps. When the competition for consumer attention is so close between all channels, with users barely favoring one platform over another, a well-rounded communications approach is vital for brand impact.”

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake open bar T-Squared Social
• Fine dining destination Nōksu opens...in the Herald Square subway station
• Eataly expanding into SoHo; Abercrombie & Fitch too
• Manhattan welcomes its first public beach
• Comedy institution The Second City coming to Brooklyn
• Immersive Balloon Museum opening this month
• Monaco institution Rampoldi now open in Manhattan
• Seastreak launches new apple picking and wine tour getaways from Manhattan
• Subway ridership crosses 4 million, a new post-pandemic high; office-adjacent stations show big ridership gains
• New York City Tourism + Conventions pitches NYC in China
• Una Pizza Napoletana pegged as top U.S. pizzeria, among 5 NYC venues on the 100 Best Pizzerias in the World list
• The Economic Times has just released its 2024 World's Best Cities; New York City is the top U.S. destination, and #3 worldwide
• New robot K5 to help patrol Times Square subway station

HOTEL NOTES

• Now open, Romer Hell's Kitchen and Kimpton Hotel Theta; The Fifth Avenue Hotel opens October 16th
• The Blakely Hotel rebrands as The Blakely by LuxUrban, Trademark Collection® by Wyndham
• Congrats to the Aman New York and the Equinox Hotel New York, the sole U.S. entries on new The World's 50 Best Hotels list

BEYOND NYC

• Shoulder season is changing: more last-minute trips, more bookings into 2024 and 2025
• Luxury travelers are ready to spend and travel again

CLOSING TIME

• Target closing East Harlem location, citing shoplifting (while opening 5 other city locations, including one in Harlem)
• Momofuku Ssäm Bar is through
• After more than a century, the North American International Toy Fair is leaving New York
• Tin Building closing Seeds and Weeds to make way for a second Jean-Georges Vongerichten abcV

CRIME AND SAFETY NEWS

Mayor Eric Adams has released his management report for fiscal year 2023, noting significant drop in gun violence along with increases in ticketing and incarceration. The NYPD reports shooting incidents dropped 23.5% in August against 2022, extending the 26.1% decrease year to date. Overall index crime was down 1.5%, including a 6% drop in robbery and 15% in burglary. Major crime decreased 6.6% in the subways in August.

CONCIERGE NIGHTS

Every week, concierge experience theatre, dining, and attractions through City Guide. Recent visits include the fascinating immersive space Inter_, which is launching its new new autumn festival INTERween.

More than one hundred NYC concierge gathered at the landmark Beaux-Arts space of Hall des Lumières to experience a preview of one of the fall's brightest new shows. Chagall, Paris – New York is devoted to the unclassifiable artist Marc Chagall (1887-1985), immersing audiences in a career filled with painting, theater, costumes, sculpture, ceramics, stained glass, mosaics, and collage. Visit halldeslumieres.com for all the details.

CONNECTING HOTELS & DESTINATIONS GATHERING

On September 13th, New York City attraction marketing directors and hotel general managers came together at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt to discuss the latest on New York's tourism economy. Erin Francis-Cummings, President + CEO of marketing research group Future Partners, gave a fascinating presentation that looked at the tourism economy—and NYC's performance—including trends, economics, demographics, sectors, and more. Her findings include:

POSITIVES

• Overnight leisure travel remains robust, and day trip volume is very strong.
• NYC remains atop destination hot lists, with 41% of survey respondents characterizing it as appealing or extremely appealing.
• NYC is a Top 5 destination across age groups, with Gen Z and Millennials selecting it as the #1 most desired destination.
• Urban destinations overall are strengthening (travelers are planning 2.9 city trips versus an average of 1.4 prior to the pandemic).
• Urban/affluent/younger demographics are more upbeat about their household finances in the context of travel.
• Expectations for travel in the remainder of 2023 remain high, near summer levels.

CHALLENGES

• Recent data reflects a "Great Recession-level tempering" in NYC travel; concerns about household finances making this an unfavorable time for travel increased last month.
• High costs are the biggest impediment to travel right now. Travelers are split as to whether they are better or worse off than a year ago (last month saw that number decline, to its lowest level since the end of last year).
• Expected travel spends are on the decline, from a peak in the spring of 2021 at $4,578 to the most recent $3,787.
• Leisure travel as a spending priority continues to decline (to 50.8% of respondents).

EPTEMBER 7, 2023

HOW THE CITY'S AIRBNB CRACKDOWN WILL IMPACT TOURISM

As of Tuesday, NYC's new restrictions on short-term stays are in effect, with some 50,000 properties potentially coming off the market. The hotel sector stands on benefit, on top of recent advantages conveyed by migrant housing, restricted supply, increased occupancy, and big boosts in rates. The major change will be seen in "compression nights," when high demand can no longer be satisfied by other outlets—Skift notes that already for the 2023 holiday season NYC rates are up 31% compared to pre-pandemic. Other factors:

• Enforcement will be difficult
• It's too small of an inventory change to really change such a large market
• The rebounding business travel sector isn't affected
• More than 5,000 units will still be viable under the new rules

News to Help with Your Planning

Although the city's tourism comeback is still lagging projections, as travelers have been preferring European destinations, here is some data to help assess the upcoming months:

• Hotel occupancy starting Christmas Eve is ahead of 2022 and on pace with 2019
• Hotel searches over the holidays are up 11% over last year
• NYC hotel occupancy is up 13% year to date, with a strong September expected (2022's highest occupancy month)  
• Times Square pedestrian traffic topped 400,000 on some days last month (versus a 365,000 average pre-pandemic)
• The US Open is smashing attendance records
• The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes is adding four shows as ticket sales are running 40% higher than a year ago

NEW CONCIERGE FAMILIARITY STUDY STATS: BROADWAY

City Guide surveyed over 100 of NYC’s most experienced concierges and asked them how familiar they are with tourist activities. The question was simple, on a 0 to 4 scale how familiar are you with tourist activities and comfortable recommending to guests. If you want to learn more about the survey and how to raise your visibility in the concierge community contact Davler CEO David Miller.

We have surveyed for all sectors and will be releasing the results over the next few weeks. Here are the results for Broadway. Click through for previously released results on tours, passes, museums, and attractions & observatories.

Links of Interest

NYC

• 2 for 1 Broadway Week launches
• New West Side Fest launching September 30th
• Paris Theater to return, with upgrades
• Gramercy Park Hotel will reopen in 2025
• NYC narrowly edged out by New Orleans for Best Food City in the U.S.
• City launches new office-to-residential accelerator with plans to rezone midtown
• Midtown heavy hitters: Michael White opening a restaurant at 520 Madison Ave., David Burke opening Park Avenue Kitchen

BEYOND NYC

• "After Covid, hotels came back with smaller desks because they were just starting back up, but now they're really trying to build back to pre-Covid staffing levels," says Regena Falling, chef concierge at the St. Regis New York—as Travel Weekly notes demand for hotel concierges is higher than ever
• Hoteliers remain optimistic, note the return to urban destinations
• Hospitality industry jobs grew by 40,000 in August
• U.S. and China in talks to boost tourism
• Senators sponsor legislation to shorten visa wait times
• Business travel accelerating beyond projections, to exceed pre-pandemic levels next year
• Mastercard anticipates a tipping point for business travel, with 90% of decision makers expecting hybrid work to significantly increase business travel over the next decade
• Avoya Travel reports 78% increase in bookings, with spends up as well
• US remains most popular destination for shopping
• US leads tourism recovery globally; international spend has returned to 2019 numbers
• AI travel article recommends a food bank

CLOSING TIME

• Chef-owner dispute sinks 3-Michelin-starred Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare
• Village steakhouse Quality Eats done after 8 years
• K Rico Steakhouse shutters in Hell's Kitchen after close to a decade
• Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams closes SoHo showroom as company fails
• Times Square Edition property facing foreclosure

AUGUST 16, 2023

THE RETURN OF CHINESE GROUP TRAVEL

Pre-pandemic, Chinese tourists were the second-largest national group visiting the city, spending an average of $3,000 per tourist—almost 60% higher than other international visitors. Although the Chinese are starting to travel again, they have been slow to reach NYC. That will shift soon: last Thursday China lifted its restrictions for U.S. package travel. On Friday, the U.S. and Chinese governments agreed to double the number of weekly flights. That said, air service remains limited and there are visa backlogs, but there's reason for optimism that a key missing piece in the city's recovery is returning.

Tourism remains strong against rising prices, although NYC isn't seeing the full benefit as demand for Europe is driving Americans this summer. As European travel surges, domestic travel prices are dropping—airfares are down 11% from last year (and 12% below pre-pandemic pricing), making NYC more attractive. The inbound news nationally is strong, with international tourists spending 25% over a year ago (and up 38% year to date). New York's advantages can also be seen in a new report from TicketLens Research, which shows the inflation in attraction prices here trails much of the world. Some examples:

The survey breaks out price increases globally by attraction type, showing increases by sector against 2019:

• Sightseeing & tours (+21.7%)
• Museums (+20.7%)
• Hop-on hop-off busses (+14.8%)
• Viewpoints (+13.9%)

NEW CONCIERGE FAMILIARITY STUDY STATS

City Guide surveyed over 100 of NYC’s most experienced concierges and asked them how familiar they are with tourist activities. The question was simple, on a 0 to 4 scale how familiar are you with tourist activities and comfortable recommending to guests. If you want to learn more about the survey and how to raise your visibility in the concierge community contact Davler CEO David Miller.

We have surveyed for all sectors and will be releasing the results over the next few weeks. Here are the results for museums. Click through for previously released results on tours, passes, and attractions & observatories.

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• Tempo by Hilton New York Times Square now open on Broadway
• Delta Hotels by Marriott makes NYC debut
• Four Seasons New York Midtown reaches agreement to reopen
• Row NYC fighting off foreclosure after conversion to migrant hotel
• Bisnow’s New York Hotel & Hospitality conference notes upturn in city hotels as an asset class
• Judge sides with NYC in Airbnb case over tighter regulations
• Harlem seeing a rebound in tourism, Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel opening August 24th
• International travel's air traffic return to NYC far outpacing other U.S. hubs
• Congrats to Hornblower, selected as operator for the NYC ferry system; through July, ferry ridership records have been broken with a 17% increase over 2022, exceeding pre-pandemic levels

TOP 3 HOTEL CHAIN RESULTS

• Record results for Hyatt credited to rebound in corporate travel and events
• Marriott raises full year outlook
• “We had the best booking quarter in our history, ever,” said Christopher Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton. “And our position is great for the next year.”

BEYOND NYC

• The latest Vacation Confidence Index shows stated importance of an annual vacation (74%) and intentions to travel this year (66%) are tracking well above pre-pandemic levels
• Travel remains atop American's intentions for discretionary spending. New research from Outpayce shows respondents ranking travel "high priority" at 47%, an increase of 12% over last year.
• Second quarter gross travel bookings came in at a record $39.7 billion for Booking Holdings, an increase of 15% from a year ago
• Accor’s global business travel survey predicts return to pre-pandemic spending by 2024
• The expanding hybrid/remote workforce will significantly increase the amount of business travel over the next decade.
• Brand USA chief on U.S. tourism without China

CLOSING TIME

• Union Square Hospitality Group shuttering Marta and Maialino (vicino) at the Redbury
• Marathi closes up in Tribeca
• After a decade, The Meatball Shop is done on the UES
• Company behind Immersive Van Gogh files for bankruptcy
• Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club finished after 20 years (with plans to open at a new address in '24)

THE INTREPID MUSEUM'S ANNUAL TOURISM PARTY

A breezy summer evening saw 325 concierge and New York tourism leaders gather together on the Flight Deck of the Intrepid Museum. The event, co-hosted by City Guide, included many opportunities to make and and renew connections, in addition to great food and drink from Gossip Bar & Restaurant and the Hard Rock Cafe. Thanks to the night's generous sponsors, HeliNY, The New York Sightseeing Pass, Sesame Unlimited, Student & Youth Travel Association, and SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, and congrats to the winners of the night's multiple raffles. (Below, City Guide's Vincent Timpone welcomes the crowd.)

CRIME AND TRANSIT NEWS

NYPD

• The latest crime stats, covering July, show a 35.4% drop in shooting incidents compared to July 2022. Homicides fell by a similar number, and overall index crime was down 5.7%, with a 13.6% decline in robbery and 17.6% in burglary.

MTA

• The MTA announced its next phase of service increases, to ramp up weekend service where ridership has reached 80% of the pre-Covid baseline. On the subways, major crime was down 9.9% last month.

JULY 27, 2023

Data supports a continuation of summer's strength into fall for tourism: 

• The big three airlines are reporting record earnings; total sales for the first six months of 2023 are 27% higher than the same period last year, with 11% more trips. 
• American Express reports an all-time high in spending, driven by travel and entertainment. Forward travel bookings continue to be higher than last year and exceed pre-pandemic numbers. Year over year growth is strong, with lodging up 12% and restaurants up 15%.
• Tourism is driving a resurgence in the Manhattan retail market. New York City sales tax revenue is up 15% this year.
• American trip length and spending are both on the rise. The increase in average nightly spend is 30%, with 5-night vacations totaling on average $2,227.
• The U.S. travel boom will continue through the fall. August will see domestic flights up 75% and hotel stays up 47%. New York City ranks as a top shoulder season destination this year.

TOURISM STAT PACK

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• New York Auto Museum (NYAM) proposed for central Manhattan
• Guides say NYC double-deckers "a disaster waiting to happen"
• Sugar Factory American Brasserie now open across two floors in Times Square
• Delmonico's to return to Financial District on September 15th
• NYC return to office rates consistent with other U.S. cities

BEYOND NYC

• New travel report shows U.S. first major country to exceed 2019 travel market
• Fiserv spending report shows growth last month; restaurants(+5.4%), travel (+8.8%), and leisure (+17%) spending continue to dominate
• Last month's meetings volume was up 30% year over year
• International traveler spending reached highest level since pandemic
• How long will the travel boom last?
• Hilton CEO: second-half slowdown will be more like a soft landing
• Increases in group sizes as sales remain strong
• Reaching Gen Z travelers

CLOSING TIME

• Stephen Starr's Storico is done at the New-York Historical Society
• Michelin-starred Sushi Ginza Onodera New York to exit August 19th
• Witkoff and Schrager’s Public Hotel heads to foreclosure auction

DESTINATIONS INTERNATIONAL

• Congratulations to Fred Dixon, NYC Tourism + Conventions President and CEO, who is now officially the Chairman of Destinations International. Destinations International is the world’s largest resource for official destination organizations, tourism boards, and convention and visitors bureaus. We wish Fred well in this new role—and it's great news for New York to have the CEO of our DMO leading the organization.

NEW INDUSTRY STATISTICS—TOURS

City Guide surveyed over 100 of NYC’s most experienced concierges and asked them how familiar they are with tourist activities. The question was simple, on a 0 to 4 scale how familiar are you with tourist activities and comfortable recommending to guests. If you want to learn more about the survey and how to raise your visibility in the concierge community contact Davler CEO David Miller.

We have surveyed for all sectors and will be releasing the results over the next few weeks. Here are the results for tours. Click through for results on passes and attractions & observatories.

CRIME AND TRANSIT NEWS

CITY HALL

• Mayor's office touts Crisis Management System, combining resident-led violence interruption, school conflict resolution, mentorship, mental health services, career planning, and enriching programming to address shootings. A recent record investment in this system will help the program operate in 31 neighborhoods that account for more than two-thirds of shootings citywide. 

MTA

• Continuing an upward trend from spring 2022 results, the MTA reports increased subway and bus customer satisfaction. Subway stations with newly installed customer service centers or recently "re-new-vated" stations report higher satisfaction; 29 priority bus routes report an average 8% increase in satisfaction; OMNY payment fare method has a satisfaction rate of nearly 80%.

JULY 12, 2023

The forecasts for July 4th travel played out as expected, with the TSA setting its all-time record for most passengers screened, recorded on the Friday ahead of the holiday. Other positive readings on tourism include:

• Leisure and hospitality job gains surged in June, with half a million hires—nearly double expectations.
• Americans are taking longer trips and spending more.
• U.S. destination marketing organizations, including New York City Tourism + Conventions, are making their first sales missions to China since the pandemic; Chinese travelers aren't yet heading international, but flight demand there is up 312%.
• International travelers are returning to the U.S. The latest numbers show 82% year over year volume against 2019. Where are they coming from? The chart below shows the top 5 countries, accounting for 70% of international arrivals.

NEW INDUSTRY STATISTICS—ATTRACTIONS

City Guide surveyed over 100 of NYC’s most experienced concierges and asked them how familiar they are with tourist activities. The question was simple, on a 0 to 4 scale how familiar are you with tourist activities and comfortable recommending to guests. If you want to learn more about the survey and how to raise your visibility in the concierge community contact Davler CEO David Miller.

We have surveyed for all sectors and will be releasing the results over the next few weeks. Here are the results for attractions and observatories.

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• Congrats to NYC hotel winners of Travel + Leisure's The World's Best Awards 2023
• Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel (July), Tempo by Hilton Times Square (September), and Arlo Williamsburg (September) among newcomer hotels coming to NYC
• New York #2 most-watched global destination on TikTok
• U.S. commits nearly $7 billion for new Hudson tunnels

BEYOND NYC

• Booking.com adds conversational ChaptGPT to its mobile app
• AI may improve efficiencies, but remains unreliable for trip planners
• Brand USA to visit Japan as tourists there prioritize domestic travel

TOURISM STAT PACK

CRIME AND TRANSIT NEWS

NYPD

• Overall crime was driven down across New York City in June as shootings, murders, robberies, burglaries, and hate crimes continue to fall. 
• Governor Hochul notes the city is getting safer as she reforms bail law.
• NYPD turns to youth summer jobs program to stem seasonal crime.

MTA

• Subway robberies decreased 18.4% in June. Major crime in transit is down 4.4% through the first six months of the year.

JUNE 28, 2023

The summer is starting off on very solid footing for tourism:

• AAA forecasts record travel over Fourth of July. NYC is at the top of the list for hotel bookings as travel prices are finally trending down.
• Searches on NYC are trending up. A new report from travel analytics firm ForwardKeys finds NYC is now the #6 destination in the world, which is an improvement of two places from 2022.
• There's reason to be hopeful for the return of Chinese visitors—search interest for outbound travel there is up 6x.

NEW INDUSTRY STATISTICS

City Guide surveyed over 100 of NYC’s most experienced concierges and asked them how familiar they are with tourist activities. The question was simple, on a 0 to 4 how familiar are you with tourist activities and comfortable recommending to guests. If you'd like to learn more, please reach out to Davler CEO David Miller. We have surveyed for all sectors and will be releasing the results over the next few weeks. Here are the results for passes.

LINKS OF INTEREST

Congratulations to the Empire State Building Observatory, named the #1 attraction in the U.S. by Tripadvisor Travelers for the second consecutive year. The 2023 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best sees the Observatory ranking #5 globally. Other New York City experiences to crack the U.S. Top 10 include Central Park (#2), the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum (#4), and the Brooklyn Bridge (#6).

NYC

• New York City ranks #1 in the U.S. for best metros for corporate retreats
• Penn Station concourse rebuild to move ahead—without the office towers
• The High Line – Moynihan Train Hall Connector is now open
• NYC congestion pricing gets key federal approval, possibly in place by April 2024
• Immersives an increasing presence in NYC
• LGBTQ+ bars are closing across the country, but in NYC they're thriving
• Comptroller admits he got it wrong as city reaps Hudson Yards windfall
• Not everyone is thrilled by Extell’s proposed thrill ride in Times Square
• Roger Hotel reborn as Hotel AKA NoMad
• Nobu Hospitality to reopen UES legend as the Plaza Athenee Nobu Hotel and Spa New York
• Union Square Regal Theater not closing after all
• A mixed report for Times Square restaurants
• Governors Ball 2023 "exceeded expectations" at Flushing Meadows Corona Park

BEYOND NYC

• Could Generative AI make Google Maps a full travel app?
• Travel managers expect second-half 2023 travel budgets to be up more than 9% and project a strong 2024
• Younger generations are planning for travel and increasing spending on entertainment, per new data from the Amex Trendex Millennial and Gen-Z Summer Spotlight report

CLOSING TIME

• After half a century, Rosie O'Grady's is shuttering in Times Square
• Three decades on, the New Ohio Theatre will close for good at the end of August
• Legendary East Village gay dive bar The Boiler Room to close (with plans to relocate)

June has been a busy month for concierges to visit NYC venues. City Guide recently hosted them at Rock & Roll Man + Morton's The Steakhouse, The Great Gatsby—The Immersive Show + the Redeye Grill, and Tuesday night's Harry Potter: The Exhibition, which had over 150 guests checking out a great new immersive experience. Pictured below, top left City Guide's Eli Marcus on opening night of Rock & Roll Man with Rodrick Covington, who plays Little Richard; on the right, some of the fun at Harry Potter: The Exhibition.

The Times Square Chronicles covered recent City Guide nights at The Edison Hotel and Rock & Roll Man.

If you've got a venue you'd like to introduce to the New York City concierge community, please reach out.

CRIME AND TRANSIT NEWS

NYPD

• There is encouraging national news on murders, with an Atlantic article noting that "the United States may be experiencing one of the largest annual percent changes in murder ever recorded," currently dropped 12%.

MTA

• LIRR and Metro-North carried a combined 460,000 riders on Tuesday, June 20th, each railroad setting a post-pandemic record. The LIRR's record day follows its busiest week since the pandemic, carrying 1.37 million riders.

JUNE 15, 2023

SUMMER PROSPECTS LOOKING STRONG

Official summer is just a week away and the city is showing off some of its best sides. Despite a writers’ strike, this year’s Tony Awards was a major success. United Palace in Washington Heights hosted and viewership was up significantly from 2019 (a more than 10% jump to 4.3 million). The livestream jumped 13% over last year, a reminder that even beyond New York, Broadway remains a major interest.

The broader tourism outlook remains strong. "After a record-breaking Memorial Day weekend, summer travel shows no signs of slowing down, and more consumers are prioritizing farther-from-home destinations," according to the latest Morning Consult report. The latest international traveler spend data shows a 45% increase so far for 2023 against the same stretch of 2022. The U.S. Travel Association's new forecast revises upward international travel expectations, led by heavy Canadian demand and rising Brazilian interest. A Hotel Booking Index survey shows Americans are more likely to vacation this year than last, making plans to travel more often, stay longer, and opt for hotels for accommodation. 

Pride Month is in full swing in NYC and the city is cementing its reputation for culture and hospitality. (Juneteenth activities this weekend will further those cultural bona fides.) There's much happening in the city in the coming weeks including:

• Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth returns Sunday with a slew of performances
• The Times Square Alliance and Playbill will host the second annual PRIDE IN TIMES SQUARE celebration, centered around NYC Pride Weekend, June 23rd and 24th
• The Garment District Alliance has kicked off Summer on Broadway, with music, art, and a lemonade stand 
• The Central Park Boathouse reopens this month
• The new Louis Armstrong Center, across from the Louis Armstrong House Museum, will be completed this summer
• From July 24th through August 20th, NYC Restaurant Week will be back

Resonance Consultancy has revealed its America’s Best Cities for 2023. Based on an analysis of 26 factors, New York City is #1.

New York City is getting its own license plate. Photo courtesy New York Department of Motor Vehicles.

LINKS OF INTEREST

NYC

• On the rise of experiential retail in Manhattan
• Broadway readies for Tony Awards bump
• Qantas resumes New York service after pandemic hiatus
• Summer Streets to open 20 miles of NYC roadways
• Former Whitney Museum of Art Breuer Building to become Sotheby’s flagship
• Amusement park drop ride coming to a midtown skyscraper?
• Hotel at Times Square and Hotel 46 Times Square to reboot later this year under Miami's LuxUrban Hotels
• Good news for hotels? Airbnb sues NYC, claims new rules are an existential threat
• GANYC reports NYC Council member Gale Brewer has filed bill Int 1009-2023 requiring licensed guides on double decker tour buses
• Chef Junghyun Park of Atomix in Murray Hill selected best chef in New York by the James Beard Award Foundation 
• Brooklyn sets Guinness World Record for Most People Attending a Drag Brunch
• New fine dining Italian Sartiano’s opening at The Mercer
• Fogo de Chão lighting out for Brooklyn, opening third NYC location later this year at City Point
• The 41st Annual Mermaid Parade returns Saturday
• New Hall des Lumières show Hip Hop Til Infinity: An Immersive Trip Through 50 Years opens July 26th
• The Perelman Performing Arts Center has announced its inaugural season programming
• The TSX Broadway tower's Tempo by Hilton New York Times Square to open in August

BEYOND NYC

• Hotel demand outpacing supply, meaning room rates likely to remain high
• Hotel CEOs: high rates are the new normal, haven't peaked
• ADR, RevPAR increase as hotel forecasts revised up
• Airfares and gas prices fall as inflation levels off
• Airline execs dismiss slowdown fears, say it's the "best recession" they've ever faced
• Skift shows global tourism now outperforming prepandemic benchmarks
• 82% of U.S. hotels report staffing shortages, leading to greater interest in AI
• Priceline partnering with Google on new AI tools
• Trip.com Group’s financial results a clear indication Chinese consumers are eager to travel again

CLOSING TIME

• After more than three decades, Upper East Side Italian's Tiramisu is done (with plans to relocate) 
• Cheesesteak purveyors Shorty's closes its three NYC locations
• Watch retailer Invicta, with a Times Square location, declares bankruptcy
• Michelin-starred Bâtard shutters in Tribeca
• Israeli sandwich shop Sherry Herring belly up on the UWS
• Brooklyn red sauce spot Frost done after more than 60 years
• Salt Bae Burger shuts down near Union Square 

CRIME AND SAFETY NEWS

NYPD

• Overall index crime stayed flat last month, but beneath the surface was a very good report. Car theft spiked, which distorted the drops in 5 of the 7 index categories, including a 33.3% reduction in homicide, 11.1% decline in robbery, and 11.8% decline in burglary. Shootings were down 26.5%.

MTA

• In the subways, robberies decreased by 30.9% and major crime in transit fell 13.1%. This continues 2023's reduced crime trend, even as transit use is growing

OUT AND ABOUT WITH CITY GUIDE

Even with some wildfire interference, it's been a busy few days for City Guide, with a full slate of events connecting concierge with restaurants, shows, and attractions, in addition to getting out in the city. (And more to come this week and the weeks ahead.) Here are a few looks from our recent Madame Tussauds night, where we had a blast with a big group of concierge—complete with a great spread and plenty of giveaways. In addition, at bottom left is City Guide's Eli Marcus with Suzan-Lori Parks, winner of the 2023 Tony for Best Revival of a Play for Topdog/Underdog, at the Drama Desk Awards. Bottom right, guests at a Bocca Cucina & Bar concierge brunch.

JUNE 1, 2023

NYC 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