Mayor de Blasio Announces Total NYC Visitors Surpasses 60 Million for First Time

December 19, 2016

15,000 jobs added over last year and hotel demand expanded by 1.2 million room nights sold

NEW YORK––Mayor Bill de Blasio, Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and NYC & Company today announced that the City will welcome an all-time record 60.3 million visitors by year’s end, surpassing the 60 million visitor milestone for the first time ever, and representing the seventh consecutive year of travel and tourism growth for the City. The new figure is 600,000 visitors higher than the original forecast of 59.7 million announced earlier this year, and 1.8 million more visitors than last year’s revised year-end figure of 58.5 million. Travel and tourism now sustains more than 375,000 jobs in New York City, representing a gain of 15,000 jobs over the last year.

“Not only has 2016 brought the largest number of visitors in New York City history, but it also caps off seven years of strong tourism growth and 15,000 more jobs for New Yorkers,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “More tourism means we have more people investing in New York City and are able to create more sustainable jobs for more people. New York is a culturally rich and diverse city, with so much to offer those who visit. I look forward to continue promoting this beautiful city and welcoming all those who visit in the future.”‎

“We are the safest, most culturally rich, most exciting city in the country. Every time visitors come, they can experience something new,” said Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen. “We are focused on making sure the benefits of tourism stretch into every borough and every community."

“We are very excited to host a record high number of visitors who are interested in learning about the vibrant culture of our wonderful city,” said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “Visiting New York City can mean the trip of a lifetime, and we want to offer everyone the opportunity to truly have the full experience. I look forward to working with the Mayor and NYC & Company to continue fostering the growth of New York City’s important tourism industry.”

“We are proud to exceed our forecast this year and welcome an all-time record 60.3 million visitors, achieving a new tourism milestone for New York City,” said Fred Dixon, NYC & Company’s President and CEO. “The appeal of the ‘New’ New York alongside our classic attractions continue to draw travelers from every corner of the globe. We invite visitors and locals to take advantage of all the nonstop and affordable NYC experiences on offer this winter as well as the opportunities to discover our City’s multicultural neighborhoods in all five boroughs.”

“We are very fortunate this year to surpass 60 million visitors, New York City’s latest travel and tourism achievement,” said Emily Rafferty, NYC & Company Board Chairman and President Emeritus of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. “From our reputation as the safest large city in America to our world-class hotels, attractions, cultural organizations, restaurants, shops and more, there’s no better place than the five boroughs to enjoy the best of everything in one single destination.” 

To continue welcoming record visitation and boost winter travel in 2017, NYC & Company today unveiled a new “Nonstop NYC” program comprising its popular vibrancy programs NYC Restaurant Week®, NYC Broadway WeekSM, NYC Off-Broadway WeekSM and an all-new NYC Attractions Week. The organization is also expanding its “See Your City,” “See it for Yourself” and Official NYC Family Ambassador campaigns to further encourage travel during the first quarter and beyond.

This year, visitors from the United States will represent a forecasted 47.6 million visitors while travelers from international markets will comprise an estimated 12.65 million international visitors, both all-time highs. Among all visitors, meetings delegates will comprise 6.15 million people. In 2017, NYC & Company is forecasting the City will welcome approximately 61.8 million visitors with 48.7 million domestic travelers and 13.1 million international visitors.

Hotel demand in the five boroughs has grown this year by 1.2 million, generating 34.9 million hotel room nights sold by year’s end, an all-time record. Home to more than 111,000 hotel rooms, the City is also expected to add 24,000 new hotel rooms by the end of 2019, reflecting the nation’s most robust hotel development pipeline. A significant contribution to the City’s economy, hotel and sales taxes are estimated to contribute over $1 billion in revenues this year.  

Just in time for winter visitor arrivals, NYC & Company’s celebrated consumer programs will return in early 2017 with NYC Restaurant Week (Jan. 23-Feb.10), NYC Broadway Week (Jan. 17-Feb. 5) and NYC Off-Broadway Week (Feb. 27-Mar. 12). On the heels of the success of these programs, NYC & Company is proud to announce the first-ever NYC Attractions Week. From January 17-February 5, 2017, visitors and locals can receive two-for-one admission for tours, culture and performing arts at over 70 participants, including Big Bus Tours, Brooklyn Museum, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, Gray Line City Sightseeing New York Bus Tours, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Madame Tussauds New York, Museum of Modern Art – MoMA, New York Water Taxi, On Location Tours, One World Observatory and many more.

These four vibrancy programs alongside the best hotel rates of the year will be promoted under a new winter campaign titled “Nonstop NYC.” With the addition of NYC Attractions Week to NYC & Company’s signature dining and theater promotions, winter 2017 will be the most affordable value period ever in New York City. More information on “Nonstop NYC” can be found at nycgo.com/nonstop.

For NYC travel inspiration this winter, NYC & Company’s popular “See Your City” campaign will expand with the launch of 13 new custom videos along with neighborhood tips on nycgo.com, the City’s official tourism website. In partnership with NYC & Company’s long-standing corporate sponsor American Express®, the videos will spotlight diverse and inspirational itinerary content for locals and visitors throughout the five boroughs to drive visitation into the neighborhoods. Featured neighborhoods in the videos include: Manhattan’s Harlem, Lower East Side, and Lower Manhattan; Brooklyn’s Sunset Park, Cobble Hill, and Crown Heights; The Bronx’s Belmont and Fordham; Queens’ Corona, Flushing, and Long Island City; and Staten Island’s Randall Manor and St. George. Consumers will be asked to use the hashtag #SeeYourCity when visiting the neighborhoods.

In addition, NYC & Company and American Express® will publish five new “See Your City” neighborhood guides to spotlight these chosen destinations with helpful visitor tips to be distributed citywide. 150,000 copies will be available for locals and visitors to collect among transportation hubs, hotels and more. For more information and to view the new videos, go to nycgo.com/seeyourcity.

To capitalize on the growing family travel segment, NYC & Company will continue into 2017 its Official NYC Family Ambassador program featuring Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. A new iteration has launched with winter-themed creative artwork promoting family travel to New York City. The campaign includes outdoor media in Chicago and Boston as well as advertising in 23 malls across the country. For family-friendly content, visit nycgo.com/family.

Abroad, NYC & Company is also expanding its “See it for Yourself” campaign this winter through its outdoor media partner JCDecaux to drive international visitation. The global marketing effort will include a presence across eight international markets including the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, Spain, Brazil and Mexico. As part of the campaign, airlines and tour operators will offer various travel packages. For example, in the UK, the City’s number one overseas market, NYC & Company has partnered with British Airways for a 14-week long partnership through February 26 that includes an outdoor media campaign and collaborative content to amplify the campaign’s reach.

About NYC & Company

NYC & Company is the official destination marketing organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For all there is to do and see in New York City, visit nycgo.com.