New York sees international visitor gains
New York gained 1.5 million overseas visitors last year, increasing its share by 3.3% as it saw 46 million people step foot on its shores.
The city’s tourism body NYC & Company says visitors from abroad are driving the economy as they stay longer and spend more than domestic visitors. In 2007 visitors from abroad spent $28.85 billion, up 16% on 2006.
Economic analysts Global Insight recently announced that New York had leapfrogged Orlando and Las Vegas to obtain the top spot in total tourism spending.
NYC & Co chief executive officer George Fertitta said: “Despite the current national economic downturn, New York City’s tourism industry continues to be the silver lining in the City’s economy, sustaining the trend of positive growth.â€
The tourism body says the weak dollar, lower crime rates and a series of marketing initiatives have contributed to the boost in numbers. These initiatives include the expansion of NYC & Co’s overseas presence with more tourism marketing offices, its new “Ask the locals†campaign and an enhanced global communications ideology.
NYC & Co anticipates the arrival of 47.7 million visitors from abroad in 2008 and city mayor Michael Bloomberg recently announced a goal to attract 50 million visitors annually by 2012.
By Dinah Hatch
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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