As we wrap up 2021, we look back at a year full of challenges, but also a time with many green shoots of growth—the return of Broadway, the return of international travelers, the return of New York City tourism. Even in the context of the Omicron variant, there remains plenty of supporting data indicating an ongoing return for New York City. Despite the high-profile Broadway cancellations of the last few days, and the early end of the Rockettes's run, a look at the Broadway League's new resource for schedules shows the majority of shows going forward as planned. (And grosses have been up, while capacity holds steady.) Other data points include:
- Yet another survey shows NYC as the #1 travel destination for the holidays. Priceline flight data shows has NYC in the top spot, and the second-most sought-after destination by hotel bookings. (Priceline also notes NYC as a top hotel destination for 2022; the Western and Southeastern U.S. were at the head of the class in 2021.)
- NYC just hit a hotel occupancy record for the pandemic—and is leading the nation. Although not at 2019 numbers yet, the weekend record occupancy (88.75%) and ADR ($380.41) confirm what early data suggested about the city's rebound.
- Manhattan luxury sales break record as ultra-rich return. November set new sales records, another reminder that people are once again betting big on New York City.
We remain optimistic for the prospects of a full recovery, beginning next year and really heating up in the spring. We wish all of our marketing partners and community members a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year. After all, New York City is ranked as the nation's most festive city—more than double our nearest competition!
Max Brenner has opened a new retail flagship in Times Square, with treats and gifts on the corner of Seventh Ave. and 48th St.
Links of Interest
NYC
- Cristyne L. Nicholas, Chair of the Broadway Association, and Fred Rosenberg, President of the Times Square Advertising Coalition, issue a joint statement urging Mayor de Blasio to let the show go on for New Year's Eve
- Met to reduce capacity in move against Omicron
- 10 NYC stores showcasing the future of retail
- Fast-casual IHOP spinoff Flip’d now open in the Flatiron
- M&M World to sell for an eye-popping $190M in boost for Covid-hit Times Square
- Fearless Girl clears another hurdle in quest to remain outside New York Stock Exchange
- The Travel & Adventure Show is making its NYC debut January 28th-30th at the Javits
- Prospect Park getting $40M in city funding to reimagine the Vale
- Times Square, Empire State Building, and Bryant Park among most popular spots for holiday wedding proposals
BEYOND NYC
- Americans continue to be optimistic for travel in 2022
- Israel to ban travel to the U.S. as Omicron surges
- Fauci says no need to restrict international travel to U.S.
- International travel dampened by Omicron...but domestic travel not impacted
- How the travel industry adapted and changed throughout 2021
- Americans consider vacations more important than dating
- Delta Air Lines no longer expects to lose money in Q4
- JetBlue, American Airlines announce record-setting summer schedule out of Northeast
- Brick and mortar retail exceeding expectations
- Travel sector’s labor shortage likely to continue in 2022
- Travel getting more expensive in 2022
Everything to Do Facebook Group Post of the Week
City Guide's Facebook Group Everything to Do NYC has just hit the 70,000 member milestone. We have seen growth accelerate in the last few weeks, an indicator of NYC's tourism bounce back. The group remains very interested in sharing notes on Broadway—a recent post from a new Broadway audience member received nearly 200 comments:
I never went to a Broadway Show.
Which one would you recommend as a start?
- Wicked (30% of comments)
- The Lion King (20%)
- Phantom of the Opera (10%)
- Come From Away (7%)
- Chicago (7%)
- Hamilton, Waitress, Moulin Rouge, and Aladdin pulled up the rear
Liberal use of exclamation points through the comments is a reminder of how passionate this group is about NYC and its culture. If you're not yet a member, join us. You'll find the group is a great source for finding out what's going on at ground level in NYC.
