January 4, 2010
NYC tourism totals drop to 45.25 million for 2009
About 45.25 million tourists visited New York City in 2009, a lower-then-expected decline of 3.9 percent from 2008, but still enough for the five boroughs to claim bragging rights as the most popular tourist destination in the United States for the first time since 1990, city officials announced Monday.
NYC’s 81,500 hotel rooms racked up a record total of 23.6 million room nights sold, about 300,000 more than a year earlier. Total Toursim spending added up to about $28 billion.
NYC also maintains its No. 1 spot with international tourists — 8.6 million visited in 2009 — and they tend to spend significantly more than domestic travelers.
Highlights of the year included the reopening of the Statue of Liberty’s crown, two new baseball stadiums, a Broadway season with 43 new shows, new pedestrian areas on Broadway and the debut of the High Line park.
“Last year, while tourism declined significantly in cities across the country, we fared far better than most. In fact, for the first time in 20 years, we were the most popular tourism destination in the country, surpassing Orlando, and our leisure and hospitality jobs rose – surpassing even their pre-recession levels,” Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said Monday in announcing the numbers.
City officials forecast a 3.2 percent increase in tourism for 2010 — 46.7 million visitors - on the way to a goal of 50 million visitors annually by 2012.
Picture credits: Times Square and Liberty Island. Amy Langfield/NewYorkology.
Earlier: NYC hotel deals under $200 for December and January
International tourists jazz up Broadway demographics
2010 Winter Restaurant Week set for Jan. 25 to Feb. 7
Broadway grosses record $943.3 mln in 08/09 season
Broadway, tourism totals top ‘07 despite recession
Crowded? 44 million tourists visited NYC in 2006
NYC’s goal: 50 million tourists by 2015
January 4, 2010 8:56 PM in Etceterology, Hotelology
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