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Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today joined Cristyne L. Nicholas, President and CEO of NYC & Company - New York City's official tourism marketing organization - to announce that the City welcomed a record 37.4 million visitors in 2000. This figure represents a 2% increase over 1999's impressive visitor numbers and contributes to an unprecedented 28% (+8.3 million people) growth in visitors to the City since 1996.

The visitor increases were highlighted by several interesting trends: New York City continued to gain ground as a family-friendly travel destination, with family travel to NYC up 3% in 2000 (to 10.5 million) and an overall 45% since 1996; NYC continued to hold first place as the number one US destination for overseas visitors with the UK leading the pack. For the first time, UK visitors to NYC broke the one million mark growing an incredible 19% from the previous year to 1.1 million visitors. Further demonstrating the important contribution tourism makes to the economy, 2000 visitor spending in New York City rose a strong 9% in 2000 from the previous year to a dramatic $17 billion to achieve a total economic impact of $24.9 billion and supported 282,000 NYC jobs (preliminary figures.) In 2000, tourism supported contributed $936 million in city taxes, an increase of 7% and $882 million in state taxes, up 8%.

"Tourism continues to be one of the engines powering New York City's economy," Mayor Giuliani said. "Last year's record number of visitors is a testament to New York City's broad appeal to people from all over the world. In addition to our historic reductions in crime, we have made significant improvements in quality of life, and great advances in both economic vitality and cultural achievement. There is great energy in New York City now - and tourists come here to be a part of it."

"Tourism in New York City has risen over recent years to achieve unprecedented levels - 37.4 million visitors in 2000. This figure speaks volumes about the appeal of a city that is now both the safest large city in America and the most exciting to visit. With the incredible number of new and expanded museums, attractions, visitor services, hotels, restaurant and retail outlets, New York City's tourism product stands apart," said NYC & Company President & CEO Cristyne L. Nicholas. "With a total economic impact of $24.9 billion in 2000, tourism clearly is an industry that gives back to the city. More people visiting New York City means more money, jobs and local taxes for New York and New Yorkers."

"It is gratifying that New York City has been able to achieve and sustain a 28% growth in tourism since 1996," said Tim Zagat, Chairman of NYC & Company and President of Zagat Survey. "The city's dramatic turn-around during this period - when our streets have become cleaner, safer, and brighter, thus making New York one of the world's most desirable cities in which to live, work and visit - contributes enormously to our tourism success."

Projections for 2001

With the newly released 2000 tourism statistics, NYC & Company has issued revised projections for 2001. Those numbers indicate New York City will sustain its visitor levels to reach 37.6 million - a projected 1% increase over 2000 - and visitor spending levels to reach $17.1 billion - also a projected 1% increase over 2000. These conservative projections are based on a combination of factors which include the slowing of the domestic economy, the strong dollar affecting exchange rates for international travelers and weakness in some key international markets.

"Clearly, changing fortunes in the global economy impact visitor levels. Yet we see opportunities moving forward to maximize and maintain the robust tourism levels this city has achieved. We are fortunate to have such a diverse visitor market appealing to many different types of visitors and a tourism product that continues to improve," said Nicholas.

International Travel Grew in 2000; UK Surpassed One Million Milestone

International travel to New York City increased a solid 3% in 2000 to 6.8 million and the city easily maintained its status as the nation's top destination for overseas visitors.

The increase was fueled by strong growth from the United Kingdom, which in 1999 had passed Canada to become the city's number-one international market and in 2000 became the first overseas country to break the one-million mark (up 19% to 1.1 million people). Other significant increases came from France (up 10% to 341,000), now New York City's fifth largest international visitor market. Brazil, a market noted for length of stay and corresponding high visitor spending, showed double digit growth (up 22% to 183,000 to become NYC's seventh largest visitor market) that helped to recapture ground lost earlier due to economic uncertainties.

The traditionally strong markets of Germany, Japan and Italy experienced slowing economies in the second part of 2000, contributing to visitor declines from each country.

Los Angeles remained the second most popular overseas destination in the country and Orlando was third.

Domestic Travel Remained Strong

Domestic visitor numbers to New York City increased 2% over last year making it the second year in a row to surpass the 30 million mark - to 30.6 million in 2000. Orlando retained its position as the nation's top domestic visitor destination and Las Vegas replaced New York's 1999 second place ranking. New York City, the third most popular domestic visitor destination in 2000, has seesawed back and forth with Las Vegas for second-place honors.

Family Travel Continued to Surge as NYC's Family-Friendly Image Grows

NYC's ranking according to FBI statistics as the safest large city in the U.S., the exciting revitalization of Times Square, Harlem and other neighborhoods in all five boroughs and the development of dozens of new family-friendly attractions, stores and restaurants, all combine to make New York a vacation choice for a growing number of families. The city welcomed a record 10.5 million visitors in 2000 who were traveling as part of a family, up 3% over 1999 and 45% since 1996.

Hotels Open at Quick Pace

The strength of New York City's visitor industry has fueled substantial new hotel development in 2000, more than 3,000 new hotel rooms were added to the market, many in the last few months of the year and 1,700 new rooms are expected to come online by 2001, bringing the city's room total to 68,900.

Daytrippers Increased while Overnight Travel Maintained Strength

The daytripper market increased 4% in 2000, surpassing the 19 million mark for the first time, while overnight travel remained strong at 18.4 million.

Leisure Travel Continued 5-Year Growth Trend

Leisure travel to New York City edged up 1% in 2000 over 1999 to 25.7 million, continuing a five-year growth trend that has seen overall leisure travel increase 36% (6.8 million visitors), reflecting the city's ever-improving image as a desirable visitor destination for discretionary travel. The 2000 increase was fueled by a 5% increase in international leisure travel to 4.6 million, while domestic leisure travel remained steady at 21.1 million visitors.

Business Travel Up

Business travel, which fell off sharply in 1998, continued to rebound in 2000, increasing 4% to 11.7 million travelers. International business travel remained constant at 2.2 million travelers while domestic business visits increased 5% over 1999 to 9.5 million.

New York City's 2000 Visitor Activity

2001 Forecast for NYC Visitors

(p) = preliminary

Source: NYC & Company - the city's official tourism marketing organization.

www.nyc.gov