News Articles
A Night at the Roxy—Oysters and Cocktails at a Classy Tribeca Destination
Live jazz and great oysters highlight a night at the Roxy Bar in Tribeca. Read on for more on a prime destination for brunch, classic cocktails, and just enough nooks for more intimate conversations.
Times Square Tourism Bounces Back
Group bookings are stronger than expected and retail has bounced back as tourists return to Times Square. Canadians will be returning as visitors as well, as they're demonstrating an extraordinary pent-up demand" for NYC.
Top 9 Shopping Outlets in New York to Score Discounts on Designers
Looking for the nearest outlet mall in New York? These are the 9 best outlets in NYC, New Jersey, and Long Island to score discounts on designers.
Business Travel Bounce Back for NYC
You can see tourism's return in the streets of NYC and data supports it, particularly on the business travel front.
Must-See Golf Clubs When Traveling to the New York Area
Visiting New York any time soon? Here are our favorite must-see golf clubs when traveling to New York that you shouldn’t miss if you’re a golfer.
The Vessel, The Shed, and What Else to See and Do at Hudson Yards
Hudson Yards, NYC's newest neighborhood, is a state-of-the-art stretch with the Hudson Yards mall, restaurants, the Edge NYC, Shed NYC, and Vessel.
Hotels in NYC: 10 Tips to Choose the Best One for Your Stay
If you’re planning a trip and looking for the best hotels in NYC, here are 10 things to consider when choosing a hotel in New York City.
2022 NYC Tourism Forecast
Tourists are returning in big numbers. There is real optimism about tourist spending levels growing and eventually returning to pre-pandemic levels. The Times notes that bars and clubs are reporting huge lines now that mask requirements have been lifted. Confidence in events at NYC venues is rising faster than expected.
Observation Decks in NYC: Choose the Best One to Visit
Visiting an observation deck in NYC will give you spectacular views. Here are the top 5 decks and how to choose the best observatory to visit.
Hotel Occupancy Up: NYC Tourism Latest
City Guide's distribution team has spent the past few days fielding a higher volume of "more maps, more magazine copies" requests from hotel desks than since before the pandemic. The news from the Hotel Association of New York City is excellent, with the week of March 6th-12th reflecting the highest occupancy numbers since the holidays, with Saturday spiking up to 80% full.
Spring Break Bookings Soaring and Other NYC Tourism Notes
Spring break bookings are soaring, with air travel up, and New York City in the top 10 of most-desired destinations.
NYC Relaxes Vaccination Proof Requirements and Other Tourism Notes
The relaxation of city mask and vax rules on Monday will continue to lift tourism's already rising tides. City Guide monitors the distribution of our print magazines every day and reports from the ground have been very promising—occupancy rates at 81%, 91%, and 97% at three higher end midtown hotels that distribute a large number of our guides. For the week that ended on Saturday, NYC occupancy rates were 61% overall, the highest since Omicron showed up. (The subway just recorded its highest number of riders since Omicron as well.)
NYC Tourism Latest 2022
We are reminded again this week that the world can change in a moment. Deplorable Russian aggression is rattling global stability, but Ukrainian courage is also providing inspiration. Closer to home, the announcement of the relaxation of mask requirements and other Covid mitigation policies will result in an accelerated reopening of the city, already visible at the Broadway box office, where both grosses and capacity (92%!) continue to trend upward.
Downtown Cabaret Nights at The Django
Downtown cabaret The Django in the Roxy Hotel in Tribeca provides an elegant night out amid old-school art deco vibes.
NYC Tourism Update
"Barring some new setback, the much-awaited shift in mindset among American travelers from 'pandemic' to 'endemic' travel finally may be underway,” says Amir Eylon, President and CEO of Longwoods International, on the release of the latest survey data showing rising traveler confidence. “We are moving beyond the pandemic,” echoes Roger Dow, CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. All the data we're seeing at City Guide reinforces 2022's major potential.
NYC Tourism Leaders Share Spring Outlook for City
On February 3rd, industry leaders gathered for a Tourism Marketing Forum hosted by City Guide to share market data and projections.
Celebrities Coming to Broadway
New York stages are on fire with celebrity sizzle and red-hot productions. Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, for example, is a masterclass in how to move the thermostat from zero to torrid in a single number. Come from Away, on the other hand, personifies “heartwarming” through its characters, songs, and message of hope. And Hadestown…well, the title speaks for itself. Welcome to Broadway, the ultimate theatrical hot spot!
Omicron Down 95% in NYC: Latest Tourism Update
Omicron cases in NYC are down 95% from their peak just a few weeks ago. Mayor Adams highlighted the progress, including NYC staying 11% ahead of the national vaccination rate. The major credit card companies have weighed in on travel's recovery. AmEx reported “tremendous momentum” for travel at the turn of the year; Mastercard expects cross-border travel to return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2022. At City Guide, we are recording a 35% increase in UK visitors to our website, January compared to December.
Tourism Update NYC
The World Health Organization on Monday announced an expectation for the end of the "emergency phase" of the pandemic. Omicron will be leaving behind high levels of immunity as it ebbs. In addition, WHO called for all Covid-related travel restrictions to be lifted. This weekend, Dr. Anthony Fauci said he expects most states to reach peak Omicron by mid-February. NYC is already ahead of that timetable. The positivity rate in New York is barely one-third what it was just a couple of weeks ago.
Omicron Decline in NYC to Boost Tourism
The massive drop in the city's Omicron cases is as welcome as it is expected, conforming to other nations' experiences—and strongly suggesting that the worst is behind us. In just one week we've seen NYC positive tests dive from 20% down to 12.9%. After nearly a month, the MTA is resuming full subway service. Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian is banking on steep drops in Covid and anticipating a return to profits in March. Tellingly, Delta sees no adverse effects past the Presidents' Day weekend for U.S. bookings.
Omicron Update for NYC Tourism
Data from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene suggests that Omicron has peaked in NYC. Positive tests and emergency room visits are both diving down, with the Bronx seeing a drop of 35% in cases requiring hospitalization. Governor Hochul notes the decrease and is considering letting the statewide mask mandate lapse February 2nd. Washington Post charts show Omicron's dramatically lower severity. Given the strong parallels to South Africa's experience with Omicron, we join the Governor in optimism that February will bring vastly improved conditions for city activities.
NYC Latest Tourism News
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.)
A Superior Cabaret Scene for NYC: Chelsea Table + Stage
For some time now, one of the city's artsiest neighborhoods has been without a decent cabaret. That's finally been set right with the arrival of Chelsea Table + Stage at 152 West 26th St.—practically ground zero of what was once the heart of NYC bohemia in the '80s.
Holiday Tourism News for NYC
The major question for tourism right now is whether Omicron is another Delta—suppressing travel and spending—or whether this variant will prove to be a milder version with less effect on New York City. Early reports are favorable from a tourism perspective.
NYC Is the #1 U.S. Holiday Tourism Destination and Other News
It's been another roller coaster news cycle for New York tourism. Omicron looks to be more contagious, but also more mild, so there's reason it think it won't be as disruptive as Delta. Travel restrictions were placed on parts of Africa, but it looks like they'll be lifted soon. The CDC has tightened Covid testing requirements for international travelers, but polls show Omicron fears won't significantly affect travel.