City Guide's Director of Operations Management sums up the latest from midtown hotels: "The one word I would use is demand." Delivery levels of City Guide have returned to pre-pandemic levels across the neighborhood with some increases, including a high-end midtown property that's now tripling its delivery to accommodate in-room placement. The on-the-ground observations are matched by the data, which shows an impressive rise in the week ending April 23rd:
A major trend remains the unexpected strength of group bookings; the InterContinental New York Times Square is showing a 571% increase year over year in awarded requests for proposals. The InterContinental New York Barclay is now ahead of its 2019 leads volume, with May-November almost completely booked for corporate, association, and leisure + tour industry meetings.
On the retail front, the news from Times Square is also good, with the landmarked Paramount Building back to 100% retail occupancy as tourists return. Look for more Canadians in the neighborhood; historically the second-largest group to visit the city, they're demonstrating "extraordinary pent-up demand" for NYC travel.
OPENINGS AND MORE IN NYC
New skylift platform approved among other upgrades for Top of the Rock. Rendering courtesy of Tishman Speyer.
NYC
- Times Square Plots Its Comeback, and It Looks Like Las Vegas
- Midtown BIDs join together to combat crime
- City could slash hotel tax to help sector recover
- NYC makes list of top luxury travel destinations
- Hard Rock Hotel now open in midtown—with a new location of NYY Steak
- Major new club Wonderland now open in Chelsea
- Arthur’s Tavern renovates and reopens historic location
- Artisanal Italian market Harry’s Table at Waterline Square to open in May
- Verōnika inside Fotografiska to return in June (but without Stephen Starr)
- Hotel and members' club The Ned NoMad opening at the end of June in former NoMad Hotel
- City Winery opening new venue in former Great Northern Food Hall space in Grand Central
BEYOND NYC
- Hilton forecasts full rebound in group and event bookings within a year
- American Airlines says business travel is about 80% recovered
- AmEx reports travel-and-entertainment spending at pre-pandemic levels
- International travel in 2022 to surpass pre-pandemic levels
- High prices causing travelers to change plans—bringing more NYC visitors?
CLOSING TIME
- Taboon in Hell's Kitchen will not return from fire damage
- Despite strong reviews, For Colored Girls to close on Broadway
LAST CALL FOR WOMEN IN TOURISM TICKETS
Be part of a new tradition. Join the most respected women in the NYC tourism industry at the Women In Tourism Awards luncheon next Tuesday, May 10th at Sony Hall. The honorees, across 17 categories, have provided great hospitality experiences and will be recognized.
Network and show your support of all women at this first of its kind celebratory luncheon. The event is nearing capacity so if you'd like to join us, reserve now.
Meet the 2022 Women In Tourism Honorees next Tuesday at Sony Hall. Pictured here, left to right, Kelly Ann Curtin, NYC & Company, honoree in the BIDs/Government Affiliated category; Mary Farrell, Tishman Speyer/Rockefeller Center, honoree in the Lifetime Achievement category; and Donna Haynes, MTA, honoree in the Transportation category.
¡AMERICANO! CONCIERGE NIGHT
City Guide organized a night for hotel concierge at The Palm in midtown for the new Off-Broadway musical ¡Americano!
Pictured: Jessica Ferreira, The Pekoe Group; Jonathan Rosenberg, co-writer; Eli Marcus, Exec. Dir. City Guide Media.
