nyc tourism trends

Annual Report 2023

New York City Tourism + Conventions is the official destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau for the five boroughs of New York City. Our mission is to invite the world and energize the City, building equitable, sustainable economic prosperity and community through tourism for the mutual benefit of residents, businesses and visitors.

Letter from OUR Chairman and CEO

Welcome to our 2023 Annual Report.  The story of New York City tourism is one of resilience and tenacity. This report is a record of the creative energy, relentless determination and innovative collaborations that are, once again, returning the tourism and convention industry to reliable growth in visitation, spending, jobs and economic impact.   The numbers bear out the story. Last year saw robust growth in visitor volume, up almost 10 percent from 2022. The forecast for 2024 calls for moderate but healthy growth at 4 percent. Looking further out, indicators point to consumers continuing to prioritize travel spending giving confidence to our projection that 2025 visitation is likely to exceed 68 million for the first time, almost 2 million more than our prior record.  Challenges to this level of growth remain and must be continually monitored and addressed. Ongoing economic pressures, geopolitical tensions and competing destinations factor strongly, but also perceptions of safety and shrinking city contract funds strain resources and reduce marketing reach. As we continue to navigate these challenges and the road to full tourism recovery, we are guided by our strategic priorities and an enduring commitment to celebrating the rich diversity of the five boroughs as the greatest destination in the world. One of our greatest advantages is the partnership with you, our members and stakeholders. It is your investment that fuels our programming and enriches our content. It is our promise to continue delivering a robust suite of benefits, insights and sales opportunities to grow your business as your one-stop shop for maximizing tourism impact. As we look to the exciting year ahead and major events like America250 and FIFA World Cup 26, we are more grateful than ever for your engagement and support. Charles Flateman Chairman New York City Tourism + Conventions ‍ Executive Vice President The Shubert Organization Fred Dixon President and CEO New York City Tourism + Conventions

Pathing recovery: 2023 data

New York City’s tourism and convention industry performance was marked by steady recovery patterns across all sectors—day and overnight, domestic and international, as well as leisure and business travel.

Travel Performance 2019–2023

Strong fundamentals sustain travel to New York City in 2023 and lay the groundwork for continued growth.

By the end of 2023, overall visitation had reached 93% of 2019 benchmark levels. Monthly visitor trends returned to typical seasonal patterns, rising from the winter doldrums of January, warming up in spring and summer, and then taking off with the return to school, work and shoulder-season travel from September through December 31. The final numbers for 2023 reached 62.2 million visitors—11.6 million international and 50.6 domestic. This was a 9.6% increase over 2022 levels, driven by the strong return of international travel (up 23%). The domestic day-trip market was a key driver of success at 24.6 million, while overnight reached 25.9 million.

Travel Benchmarks 2021–2023

The City and the travel industry have moved past the worst effects of the pandemic. Despite tremendous progress, full recovery is just out of reach.

Over the past three years, we have witnessed key market segments pacing at different rates. First to recover was the domestic market accounting for the largest share of visitors and reaching 95% of 2019 benchmark levels. This activity was supported in each of the past three years by the leisure travel market pulled back into the City by the dynamic activity in places to dine, shop, eat, explore and stay. International travel has seen mixed results across the more than 20 origin markets that keep New York City the largest international destination in the US. The rapid recovery rates each year since 2020 have brought the international market back to 86% of benchmark. The business travel market, typically accounting for over 20% of the market, is also continuing to pull back up to 2019 levels.

International Visitation

With the most global mix of international markets, New York City is pacing back to record levels of visitation.

Looking at the top 10 inbound markets provided solid evidence of how international travelers are drawn to New York City. Between 2022 and 2023, visitation saw increases across all world regions. Canada and Mexico together grew by 42% year over year, reaching 98% of pre-pandemic levels. The overseas markets continued to grow, up 21% compared to last year and reaching 86% of overall benchmark levels. The UK remains in top position with more than 1 million visitors. European markets including France, Italy, Germany and Spain benefited from regular and direct air routes into our three international airports bringing in over 2.3 million visitors combined. The Asia-Pacific region highlighted Australia and China staying in the top tier. From Latin America, Brazil remained the most dynamic source market.

Hotel Performance

Overnight visitors to New York City are driving strong hotel room demand and high room rates.

Hotel performance continues to improve each year since the 2020 pandemic disruptions. Domestic leisure visitation has recovered most quickly across all five boroughs and classes of hotel service. Transient and group business events began to push demand and rates up during the spring and fall activity periods. Overall performance, however, reflects the slower recovery of longer staying international travelers from APAC and LATAM regions. Visitor accommodations in hotels averaged over 120,000 rooms in active inventory throughout the year (rooms used for shelter/emergency uses are not included in these calculations). By year-end, room nights sold (demand) had reached 36.1 million, a 7% year-over-year increase. Citywide occupancy rates averaged 81.6%, 10% above 2022, but still below 2019 record levels. Following national trends, the average daily rate (ADR) pulled ahead of pre-pandemic levels and continued the year-over-year increases.

Marketing Strategies

Through innovative branding strategies and an unwavering commitment to showcasing NYC’s dynamism and diversity, we promoted the five boroughs as the world’s most aspirational and welcoming destination.

Reenergizing Our Brand for a New Era

As of March 2023, we are New York City Tourism + Conventions. The introduction of our new name and brand system marks a significant moment for our organization. With our new brand, we aim to capture the essence of New York City in its entirety: an ever-expansive destination that offers diverse and authentic experiences that enrich the traveler and benefit all New Yorkers. This shift strategically positions us to continue leading the City’s nearly $65 billion tourism economy. It makes clear our purpose and mission as the official tourism organization for one of the world’s greatest destinations—our commitment to New York City has never been greater.

We launched digital media campaigns to help build awareness of our new name and branding. We also created a new welcome video to drive leisure visitation along with a new video targeted at business event planners, which features those planners describing why NYC is the ideal destination to host events. The videos capture the essence of “What’s Good in NYC” and have been well received in our events and speaking engagements.

The new NYCtourism.com website debuted in June with a refreshed look, bringing the new brand fully to life and providing a more intuitive experience for users, while still housing all the information visitors and our business audiences need to experience the best of the five boroughs. To spread awareness of the new site, we deployed out-of-home media (printed and digital bus shelters and LinkNYC screens) targeting locals and in-market visitors as well as a digital campaign (activating social media, account-based marketing, native display and outstream video) to reach B2B audiences to boost membership growth, convention and event bookings, tourism development inquiries and newsletter sign-ups.

Leveraging Our Complete Marketing Ecosystem

Our teams work constantly to inspire and inform potential visitors about the unique appeal of NYC as a destination. Our marketing ecosystem, anchored by our new website, serves as the central hub for travelers, locals and businesses seeking to explore the vibrant offerings of New York City. Our website emphasizes a user-centric approach, leveraging partnerships with leading travel marketing platforms and enhancing engagement with tools like QR codes, itineraries, video and other immersive content. Our email marketing program prioritizes subscriber engagement, sharing tailored messages for our various audiences. Our social media presence includes multiple platforms: Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, WeChat and Weibo for leisure travelers and LinkedIn for business audiences. NYC Tourism + Conventions also makes use of our substantial out-of-home media inventory through JCDecaux and Intersection to advertise vibrancy programs, amplify content and promote our partnerships.

Promoting the Breadth of Experiences Only Found in NYC

Content shared through our channels reinforces our commitment to celebrating New York City’s richness and diversity, ensuring a compelling presence in the digital landscape.

Our Webby Award–winning culinary content offering, Savor NYC SM , is updated monthly, along with a bimonthly feature on our social channels. Now our evergreen dining platform, Savor NYC focuses attention on the City's incredible dining scene to firmly reinforce NYC’s reputation as the dining capital of the world. The platform is an all-encompassing resource for locals and visitors, providing themes that highlight distinct cuisines, multicultural neighborhoods, seasonal dining and culinary offers. Savor NYC also showcases major citywide events and holidays through a culinary lens. Each month, the initiative receives promotion through owned, paid and earned media—including our website, social channels, email newsletters and LinkNYC screens. To date, the Savor NYC landing page on NYCtourism.com has earned over 270,000 unique page views. 

Our retail hub, Shopping in NYC , is updated quarterly and supported by long-form retail social videos featured bimonthly on our channels. Our team published several articles in support of this category, including “Immerse Yourself in the Luxury of Madison Avenue,” which invites readers to explore and shop the tony Upper East Side enclave; “Your Ultimate Guide to Holiday Shopping,” sponsored by Starbucks, featuring suggestions on the best locations across the City to purchase seasonal gifts; and a refresh of “25 Essential Soho Shops,” consistently one of our website’s best-performing pieces of content. In the meantime, our dedicated retail social coverage highlighted a wide swath of venues, including The Museum of Broadway Shop, The Shops at Rockefeller Center and holiday window displays of iconic retailers like Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy’s. Posts across Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube were focused on promoting shopping and retail, netting 361,000 impressions and 13.2 million engagements.

Arts & Culture

Arts and culture institutions and events across the five boroughs receive promotion through our quarterly guide , featuring prominent placement on our site and in social, as well as in our consumer- and business-facing newsletters. Each offers a variety of seasonal highlights, promoting the incredible depth and diversity of the City’s cultural milieu. Among the many institutions and organizations we covered this year were the Brooklyn Museum for their Spike Lee retrospective; artist Michael Richards’ show at the Bronx Museum; the New York Philharmonic; a performance by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; the Barkley Hendricks exhibition at the Frick Madison; costumes from the musical Six at The Museum of Broadway; and work from the show by artist Leslie Martinez at MoMA PS1. The Fall 2023 edition garnered 194,000 impressions and nearly 4,000 engagements alone.

Hip-Hop in NYC

We created an incredible array of content in support of the citywide celebrations of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop . That content now lives on the evergreen hip-hop hub on our website, serving as a resource for NYC visitors interested in exploring all aspects of the culture. The hub showcases inspirational stories, guides to hip-hop–themed small businesses, murals, interviews with notable figures and an interactive map with touchpoints to experience hip-hop culture across all five boroughs. Among our most important features are comprehensive guides to hip-hop history across the City; highlights of important moments in hip-hop from The Apollo Theater in Harlem; and interviews with Ralph McDaniels of Video Music Box , Debra Harris of Hush Hip Hop Tours and Rocky Bucano of The Hip Hop Museum. In addition, the team created a stunning printed map, promoted on over 150 bus shelters across the City, featuring the names of artists and places that helped shape and promote the movement. The team also inked a partnership with NYC radio celebrity Angie Martinez. We conducted our first-ever Instagram Live interview with her, and she recorded ads promoting the hip-hop hub on NYCtourism.com, distributed over Spotify. So far, the promotion has resulted in well over 100,000 unique page views.

It’s Time for Culture

Our It’s Time for Culture SM campaign, which ran in May 2023, supported the cultural community by showcasing unique value-added opportunities for arts lovers during one of the City’s prime moments on the cultural calendar. The program featured 103 events across 82 participants, and coincided with the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, Frieze New York and NYCxDesign, offering a robust set of options for cultural visitors. It’s Time for Culture was promoted via NYCtourism.com, organic social media posts, a press release and targeted pitching, email newsletters, print and digital bus shelters, and LinkNYC screens. Paid media included ads on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, CTV, native display and SEM. In total, the program drove 115,000 landing page visits, delivered 62 million impressions on our out-of-home ads (valued at $578,000) and 7.5 million impressions for our digital paid media.

Check-In NYC

Like all of our content-driven initiatives, this ongoing series is published and promoted across both our web and social channels. As part of our mission to support NYC hotels and inspire visitation, #CheckInNYC covers a wide variety of the City’s accommodations, highlighting various hotel options, amenities, neighborhoods, new and renovated properties and only-in-New-York experiences that visitors can enjoy on a seasonal basis. Holiday- and NYC Winter Outing–themed content performed notably well. Over our social channels alone, the series has earned nearly 500,000 impressions and a 4.2% engagement rate—more than 2.5% higher than our average.

Other Content Initiatives

The team’s always-on efforts include a wealth of articles, posts and promotions that address our constituent audiences, aimed at inspiring potential travelers from diverse backgrounds to visit NYC. Each of these receives promotion through owned and paid media, including via our website, over our social channels and in our email newsletters.  In honor of U.S. Travel’s National Travel and Tourism Week, we compiled a list of six unmissable walking tours across the five boroughs to highlight in a media campaign that included a roundup article on NYCtourism.com, a social media series on Instagram and a weeklong LinkNYC flight. The tours included in the campaign reflect the diversity of NYC, covering Black arts and culture in Harlem, the global flavors of Astoria, the rich history of Mott Haven, sustainable eateries and shops in Williamsburg, the living history of Richmond Town in Staten Island and the Chassidic Jewish community of Crown Heights. We highlighted the Guides Association of New York City throughout the campaign as a resource to find guides who specialize in a range of tours across the five boroughs. Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, attractions and arts organizations of all types also receive ongoing coverage on our channels, in addition to dedicated promotion in our vibrancy campaigns.

Encouraging Sector Spending During Shoulder Periods

In 2023, we conducted two editions each of NYC Broadway Week SM , NYC Off-Broadway Week SM and NYC Restaurant Week®, complemented by the return of NYC Hotel Week SM and NYC Must-See Week SM , which are part of our expansive NYC Winter Outing SM program. Over 800 organizations participated in the NYC Winter Outing 2024 programs—a record. Member businesses were very active in promoting the program on email and social media posts, which we further amplified across all NYC Tourism + Conventions channels.

Our hallmark vibrancy initiatives support our members by increasing shoulder-season demand, offering visitors and locals the opportunity to enjoy experiences at an attractive price point during traditionally slow periods across hotels, restaurants, Broadway productions, Off-Broadway shows, museums, cultural institutions, attractions and tours. ‍ NYC Tourism + Conventions social published 140 organic posts throughout the NYC Winter Outing 2024 messaging cycle (Nov 14–Feb 4), earning 3.2 million impressions and 20,200 engagements.

Eighty-seven members participated in aggregate in our “Social Splash” campaigns dedicated to each program. In addition, 35 restaurants were nominated in our first-ever “Best Menu Award,” with many spots actively participating on their social channels to get out the vote. In 2024, the campaign creative for all programs was updated to incorporate our new brand design and creative system.

Growing our Audiences

Our strategic partnerships with a diverse array of organizations assist us in promoting NYC to potential travelers from around the world while nurturing a deeper appreciation for the City's rich experiences.

Reaching More Audiences Through Strategic Partnerships

Each of our partnerships showcase the breadth of activities available in the five boroughs, providing incremental support to our member businesses. Promoting cultural celebrations, sporting events and performing arts and working alongside travel and culinary institutions allows us to expand our audiences and the reach of our content. NYC Tourism + Conventions enables partners to promote their event or project through our digital and out-of-home marketing channels in exchange for providing equal exposure for our content through the partner’s website, newsletters and events.

Entertainment and Performing Arts

St. ann’s warehouse and monsoon wedding.

Monsoon Wedding is a stage musical adaptation of the acclaimed 2001 film of the same name, directed by Mira Nair. Telling the story of an Indian family as they prepare for a lavish wedding ceremony in Delhi, the cast and crew all represented the South Asian diaspora. NYC Tourism + Conventions partnered with St. Ann’s Warehouse to boost our Asian and South Asian content by including our South Asian guides, itineraries and content in their dedicated emails, ticket confirmation emails and social media posts.

And Just Like That…

This past summer celebrated the 25th anniversary of Sex and the City and the second season of Max’s spinoff And Just Like That . NYC Tourism + Conventions partnered with the franchise to celebrate this moment by coordinating lighting displays at the Empire State Building, Javits Center, One Bryant Park, One World Trade Center and Pier 17 in exchange for promotion in Max’s owned channels. Our brand and partnership was mentioned in the show’s official media release. Our shopping guides were featured on their social accounts, and they shared illuminated building images, tagging @nyctourism and the participating buildings. Additionally, our team participated in the Empire State Building lighting ceremony alongside actress Sarah Jessica Parker, confirming our role in enhancing the City’s tourism and cultural appeal.

The Life of Pi featured NYC Tourism + Conventions as a partner of the show on their website and drove to our Asian Experience content hub through dedicated social media posts, post-trip emails and inclusion on their website. In turn, the Life of Pi was promoted in our B2C newsletter content during AAPI Heritage Month in May.

BroadwayCon

BroadwayCon is an annual convention that brings together theater fans, professionals and performers to celebrate the world of Broadway. The event provides a unique opportunity for fans to connect with each other and with the Broadway community while celebrating their love for theater. We partnered with BroadwayCon to amplify our outreach for NYC Broadway Week. We delivered 1 million LinkNYC screen impressions, an event listing on our official website and social media support in exchange for a sponsorship logo inclusion, a dedicated digital screen amplifying NYC Broadway Week, social media promotion of our messaging and a dedicated post-conference email to attendees highlighting the program.

Chelsea Film Festival

The Chelsea Film Festival returned to NYC this year with a celebration of New York City’s cultural and cinematic landscape. They hosted the world premiere of our Local Legends film series, followed by a panel featuring our SVP of Content and DiversityInitiatives, Rondel Holder. This 11th anniversary of the Chelsea Film Festival had over 2,500+ submissions. Local Legends was one of 18 Indie Episodic films shown at this festival that garnered a 10,000 in-person attendance. We marketed this festival with 2 million LinkNYC impressions, an event listing on NYCtourism.com and a presence in NYC Tourism + Conventions’ Fall Guide in exchange for a screening of our Local Legends series at the festival, logo inclusion in event communications and banner ads in event emails.

New York Comedy Festival

We continued our partnership of the New York Comedy Festival by promoting the festival on LinkNYC screens, social media and in our consumer newsletters in exchange for promotion of our comedy guide through the festival's email channels. Our video content was also aired in the event venues.

SummerStage and Park Jams

Already a partner for our Hip-Hop in NYC content hub, NYC Tourism + Conventions partnered with Mass Appeal—already a partner for our Hip-Hop in NYC content hub—for the SummerStage Park Jams event on June19, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the genre as well as Juneteenth. The event took place at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park and featured performances by renowned hip-hop artists such as DJ Premier, Grandmaster Flash and Kid Capri, among others. We provided support for the event with out-of-home placements, social amplification, paid digital media and an event listing on our website. In return, we received partnership designation, logo presence on screens during the event, a dedicated call-out at the event, and access to tickets and VIP privileges. We also licensed our NYC Parks mark in celebration of hip-hop starting in a park to develop merchandise that was sold at the event and online.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

NYC Tourism + Conventions partnered with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for its Induction Ceremony on November 3 at Barclays Center. The event was also featured in our Hip Hop 50 campaign as it honored DJ Kool Herc, a pioneering figure in the foundation of hip-hop. We provided an event listing, paid social amplification, inclusion on LinkNYC screens and Taxi TV inventory and email newsletter inclusion in exchange for an ad in the digital program for the event, an email and social post promoting our hip-hop content to their membership, and logo inclusion in the credits on the Disney+ stream of the event. This exchange served as a fitting conclusion to our yearlong celebration of hip-hop, reinforcing NYC’s stature as a city that embraces and champions diverse musical legacies.

James Beard Foundation and Queens Night Market

NYC Tourism + Conventions partnered with the James Beard Foundation and Queens Night Market to promote an exciting culinary event at the newly opened Pier 57 dining venue operated by the James Beard Foundation. As part of the AAPI Heritage Month celebration, Queens Night Market hosted a special evening at Platform by JBF. We supported the event via an event listing, social media promotion and inviting community members featured in our Asian Experience content.

Multicultural

Black gotham experience.

We partnered with City Hall’s Public Design Commission and Black Gotham Experience (BGX) on the promotion and rollout of BGX’s short film, Epicenter . The film covers the history of NYC’s City Hall through the lens of the experiences of Black New Yorkers and debuted in February in commemoration of Black History Month. We promoted the film on LinkNYC screens and in email and social posts in exchange for attribution in the film and in social posts promoting the film, as well as rights and clearances to share a cutdown of the film in our social channels.

Harlem Week

This annual festival celebrates the rich history and culture of Harlem through in-person and virtual events. Ahead of the event’s 50th anniversary in 2024, we once again supported the program with social and editorial content in exchange for sponsor designation.

Diwali on the Hudson

Our collaboration with Diwali on the Hudson, in partnership with the Desai Foundation, marked a significant milestone as we joined forces for their 10th-year capstone event celebrating Diwali in NYC. This occasion marked the first-ever celebration of Diwali as a public-school holiday in the City. We gained valuable exposure by sharing our South Asian Guide on social channels owned by Diwali on the Hudson.

In celebration of the largest annual sporting event in NYC, we partnered with the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to promote the US Open on our homepage and in our summer guide, as well as with influencer and social coverage during Fan Week. In return, the USTA promoted our site on USOpen.org, included our banner ad in their Insider email newsletter and aired our 30-second destination video to their audience of 500,000 tennis fans.

TCS New York City Marathon and NYRR Midnight Run

We continued our partnership with New York Road Runners (NYRR) with promotion of the TCS NYC Marathon. NYRR promoted our marathon viewing guide across their owned channels, including push notifications via their app, email inclusions and within their social media posts. This year’s marathon saw 51,453 runners from across 131 countries reach the finish line. The marathon app was downloaded 480,000 times and had a social media following of 859,000. In turn, we promoted the NYRR New Year’s Eve Midnight Run, adding the event to our website’s event listings and showcasing it on targeted social media posts.

JP Morgan Tournament of Champions

The JP Morgan Tournament of Champions is a professional squash tournament that features the world’s best squash players. Held January 18–25, this year marked the 26th year of the tournament at Grand Central Terminal.  NYC Tourism + Conventions provided several assets to the tournament, including a custom restaurant guide around Grand Central, access to our Delegate Pass, a welcome letter from the Mayor and video assets shown at City Winery, where the watch party took place. The tournament included our logo and links to NYCtourism.com in newsletters and social media posts and promoted the Delegate Pass to their attendees.

FIFA recently announced MetLife Stadium as one of the host venues for soccer matches for the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024, which will be promoted through NYC Tourism + Conventions social channels. Matches include Chile vs Argentina (June 25), Uruguay vs Bolivia (June 27) and the semifinal match (July 9). Looking to the FIFA World Cup 26™, New York/New Jersey was awarded the final match on July 19, 2026, along with seven other matches, cementing our region as the most important stage for the world’s biggest events.

Kayak and Priceline

On October 5, Kayak and Priceline invited NYC Tourism + Conventions to create an engaging familiarization trip for 100 airline partners who were brought to NYC in celebration of the airline community. In return, we received prominent exposure throughout the event and the opportunity to present to the participants.

Expanding the Reach of NYC Marks at Home and Abroad

NYC Tourism + Conventions aligns with many organizations to reach audiences, featuring the City’s unique character in a variety of goods from well-known brands. In 2023, we entered our ninth year of partnership with the iconic New YorkCity brand Only NY. They continually reinvent and promote the NYC Parks, TheCity of New York Department of Sanitation (DSNY) and NYC marks, keeping consumers interested in quintessentially New York City brands and institutions.We are excited to work on a partnership to highlight their 10th year as a licensee in 2025.

The collaboration between NYC Tourism + Conventions and Mass Appeal in Q3 enhanced the impact of the Hip Hop 50 celebration. Through this partnership, we successfully extended licensing rights for the NYC Parks and “Made in NYC” marks. This move enabled the production of exclusive apparel items, aligning with our business objectives and showcasing the City’s hip-hop culture. These products sold out during the Park Jams events as well as Hip Hop 50 Live at Yankee Stadium. They continue to be featured on Mass Appeal’s website and contribute to our broader goal of promoting New York City's cultural richness on a global scale. In Q4, we partnered with NYC streetwear apparel brand TIER to launch an exclusive capsule collection featuring our new logo. The partnership marks the first of its kind for NYC Tourism + Conventions since the organization rebranded. The limited travel capsule collection, which features an interpretation of New York City’s new logo, brand identity and color palette, comprises hoodies, sweatpants, socks and baseball hats. The collection was promoted through our owned channels, out-of-home placements and social media channels. The partnership also included a love letter to NYC by TIER founder Nigeria Ealey. Shared on NYCtourism.com, this collaboration was also featured in Complex , Essence and Travel and Tour World .

NYC Around the World

NYC Tourism + Conventions focuses efforts on attracting both leisure and business travel. By showcasing NYC as the world’s foremost destination for business events, engaging with the travel trade, generating positive press and empowering member success, we help the City maintain its allure on the global stage.

Attracting Longer-Staying, Higher-Spending International Travelers and Meeting Delegates

Since their hiatus during the height of the pandemic, we have now fully restored our network of 17 international in-market representative agencies doing important work on the ground to build visitation and promote our members across 26 countries. These representatives sell our destination to top leisure travel trade, business event organizers and local media outlets throughout their regions. The teams’ efforts in these markets have resulted in a steady increase in lead generation and bookings for all manner of business events, such as meetings and incentive trips. Some markets are offering standout results. Brazil and Mexico are leading the incentives market from the financial, automotive, retail and pharmaceutical sectors, with short booking windows of 30 to 120 days. NYC has also secured hosting rights for various incentives from Singapore, Thailand and Australia, with potential interest from Malaysia and Indonesia for events in May and September. Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Western Europe are pivotal markets for corporate events and meetings, and leads from these regions, particularly in the technology, financial and insurance sectors, will be an important focus for our team through 2026.

This robust sales activity in market, together with our award-winning tourism campaign, kept NYC and our members front of mind for travel audiences around the world. The 2022–2023 iteration of our global marketing campaign, which had 16 distinct market executions that featured travel partners, drove more than 1 billion ad impressions and 1.7 million trips. The campaign was refreshed for 2023–2024, once again featuring Lady Liberty as the ultimate icon of our great city, beckoning potential travelers to NYC. Out-of-home advertisements and media placements launched in January for the latest iteration and will continue to run through 2024.

Showcasing NYC as the World’s Premier Business Events Destination

The Convention Development team remains focused on returning group business to NYC, engaging meeting planners at trade shows and sales missions, and promoting NYC in major markets at home and abroad.

Our Marketing team supports these efforts with media buys that amplify team activities, resulting in over 6 million ad impressions. We also produced a dedicated video for this audience to reinforce the message that NYC is where successful meetings happen.

Here at home, our Destination Services team supports meetings and events throughout the year, including major annual shows hosted in the five boroughs each year like the National Retail Federation, New York Toy Fair and Comic Con. In total, business events bring nearly 6 million visitors to the City, boosting business not just for hotels but restaurants, attractions and service providers as well. This year the team revamped the Destination Services tool kit, which contains several complimentary resources for business event professionals to assist in their planning and to help promote their events in NYC.

Inspiring and Driving Leisure Travel Through the Trade

Engaging the travel trade to drive leisure business is a major focus for our team. We showcase NYC and our members by hosting familiarization trips for top product managers and top-selling travel agents, leading sales missions (in over 12 major international markets in 2023), targeting high-value market segments (like luxury and long stays) and by providing educational and business development opportunities for trade and members.

The New York City Travel Trade Academy (TTA) was relaunched in Q2 of 2023, educating the travel trade on how to package and sell the five boroughs to potential visitors. The content is now available in 10 languages: German, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Italian, French, Chinese, Hindi and English.

Our Tourism Development team also curates unforgettable experiences for niche market segments. For the luxury segment, the team fosters partnerships with industry-leading associations like Serandipians and Virtuoso, and attends key luxury trade shows like ILTM. A partnership with IGLTA also elevates New York City's profile within the LGBTQ+ travel community, highlighting tailored programs and resources for this market. Efforts to welcome Muslim travelers have been well received by the trade in the Middle East and Southeast Asia market, including promotion of the NYC Halal Travel Guide, the ability to filter restaurants to find halal offerings on our website and dedicated Muslim traveler-friendly content on NYCtourism.com. We are also committed to specifically engaging and welcoming the growing Black travel market by participating in the Black Travel Summit and successfully hosting our inaugural Black travel familiarization trip in February 2024.

The City is preparing to host the 2024 Student & Youth Travel Association’s (SYTA) conference this coming August. This is a terrific opportunity to reinforce NYC’s status as the most popular student and youth destination in North America. NYC Tourism + Conventions is hosting several business expos and reverse sales missions in the City. Members can connect with international buyers locally, saving them time and travel expenses. The travel trade and media representatives also get to discover the five boroughs in person and learn about new services, experiences and travel products across the City. In February 2024, NYC Tourism + Conventions executed two reverse sales missions and business expos, welcoming 40-plus clients from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain and Mexico. The team is planning more reverse sales missions and business expos later in the year with buyers from Ireland, the United Kingdom (March 25–29), France and Italy (June 16–20) and South America (August 19–23).

Keeping NYC Aspirational by Driving Positive Press Around the Globe

The Global Communications Team is constantly working to position New York City as a premier destination for leisure and business travel worldwide, evidenced by the more than 13,000 media stories they were able to affect, influence or place in 2023. Some of the year’s top themes targeted the rebound of international and business travel, a citywide celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, ways to visit NYC affordably and shoulder-season promotions showcasing our vibrancy programs featuring the hotel, restaurant, theater, attractions and arts sectors. In addition, the Global Communications team maintains a comprehensive crisis communications strategy at all times, which includes close coordination with city agencies, members, partners and stakeholders to coordinate and disseminate information relevant to the tourism industry during emergencies including weather-related situations. Media relations outreach engaged approximately 900 journalists in target feeder markets to develop highly individualized stories that speak to New York City’s diverse visitor mix. Efforts included the Visiting Media program, which hosted over 260 group and individual visits, composed of site visits, tours and hotel stays across all five boroughs, supported by our members and partners. Our more than two dozen What's New media briefings in 10 markets provided a broad update on major events, programs, and openings citywide as a source of inspiration for future stories. Global media coverage of New York City illustrates the breadth, depth and value of a visit, drives urgency to visit and reinforces the importance of tourism as a major economic driver that benefits all New Yorkers.

SUPPORTING THRIVING COMMUNITIES

We are committed to promoting sustainable tourism, cultural enrichment and economic empowerment. Through strategic partnerships, fundraising initiatives and support programs, NYC Tourism + Conventions fosters an ecosystem where local businesses flourish, neighborhoods thrive and diversity is celebrated.

Advancing Sustainability Dialogue and Best Practices

With our extensive public transportation network and density, NYC is an excellent choice for travelers mindful of sustainability. To support industry efforts to become more sustainable, we are proud to be a member of U.S. Travel’s Sustainability Committee and have ongoing partnerships with Climate Week NYC: The Nest Climate Campus, the World Travel & Tourism Council and The Climate Group. Our editorial team also publishes content on sustainability topics for both our consumer and business audiences.

Supporting Arts, Culture and Community Through the New York City Tourism Foundation

The breadth of the arts and culture scene across the five boroughs is one of the greatest strengths and advantages of our destination. Building awareness of these offerings is an ongoing commitment and supporting the wide variety of small but burgeoning nonprofit arts and cultural organizations that distinguish our city from others is another important tactic. We raise funds through our charitable arm, the New York City Tourism Foundation, to provide grants to local nonprofit, arts and cultural organizations for their own tourism and marketing efforts to build audience and awareness. The Foundation’s primary source of funding is our annual gala, held in December, where we honor industry leaders that have made a lasting impact. The 2023 edition raised over $600,000. Last summer we added a more casual and accessible fundraising event called Summer Soiree. Both of these events will return in 2024.

Empowering Member Success

NYC Tourism + Conventions’ 1,800+ members have access to a suite of business-building tools and resources. Our Membership and Events teams organize webinars detailing ways to reach consumers, travel trade and business event planners. In-person events like the annual meeting, business card exchanges and executive mixers foster professional connections with fellow members. Our Events team shares regular opportunities for members to join the Convention and Tourism Development teams at trade shows and sales missions, and members can work with us to be showcased in familiarization trips and site inspections.

We host regular webinars, our Member Talks, which cover topics from accessibility to gender-expansive hospitality training. Last year, we created a series of educational webinars called Meet the Market to educate our members on specific market segments and international regions, which also served to drive interest in joining a sales mission or deep engagement. The team hosted nine Meet the Market sessions the past year, a cross departmental effort between Membership, Events, Tourism Development and international office representatives. Markets and travel segments covered included Asia, Latin America, Northern Europe, Southern Europe, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, student travel and Black travel. Nearly 100 members went on to engage for the first time in sales missions, familiarization trips and trade shows after attending a session.

The Small Business Members Scholarship Program, now in its second year, is designed to provide qualified small businesses and cultural organizations with the necessary support and opportunity to participate in international sales missions and reverse sales missions with NYC Tourism + Conventions while sharing the true diversity of NYC experiences with the global trade. Following a comprehensive evaluation process, nine members were awarded the 2024 small business and cultural trade engagement scholarships. Additionally, through the membership portal of NYCtourism.com, members can access up-to-date market profiles and travel trend insights. Our Research team works on monthly updates to the New York City Tourism Barometer, also available to members providing information on visitor activities and spending, plus data on hotel performance, flight capacities, jobs and other helpful data. The Trend Report, published yearly each fall, provides additional detailed insights including visitation forecasts, hotel performance, traveler sentiment and global market updates.

Supporting Small Businesses Through Storytelling and Education

New York City’s variety of experiences is unmatched—a quality reflected in our members and their contributions to the City’s rich diversity. Through content on our website, social media campaigns, virtual education sessions and award-winning videos like our NYC Local Legends series, we uplift NYC’s multicultural communities to spread tourism’s economic benefits, connecting locals and visitors to the experiences that give the City its unique character. Our Tourism Ready program provides no-cost, valuable educational programming to the business community across the five boroughs on how to work with the travel trade to expand business opportunities. Through a series of free sessions, hospitality businesses learn to attract and manage group travel. These sessions also help expand tour operators’ offerings—encouraging repeat visitation and deeper exploration of the City’s neighborhoods, resulting in greater equity in tourism and economic impact. NYC Tourism + Conventions staff and members regularly participate in educational sessions and in-person experiences, learning about topics like LGBTQ+ and gender, land acknowledgements with the Lenape Center, Hispanic heritage, Diwali, accessibility, Black history and more.

2024 Strategic Priorities

In the year ahead, our work promoting the greatest city in the world will be driven by our core mission following four priority focus areas.

Continue positioning NYC as the world’s most aspirational and welcoming travel destination while influencing exploration of all five boroughs

We will continue to promote the vibrancy of all that NYC has to offer in a meaningful, consistent way across all of our channels, helping to keep our destination continually top of mind for travelers and prospective travelers around the world. Our Global Communications team will continue to work with key media outlets and influencers both locally and internationally to drive immediacy and demand, focusing on product and destination updates and promoting a positive image of NYC around the world. These updates will continue to stress not only all the can’t-miss seasonal developments and openings the City has to offer but also the new shows, restaurants, exhibitions and attractions that continue to provide a multitude of reasons to visit the five boroughs now—reinforcing that NYC is one of the most robust and diverse destinations in the world. We will also focus on promoting value and family-friendly ways to experience the City across all sectors in response to the economic challenges facing many of our key feeder markets while continuing to uplift opportunities that appeal to luxury or affluent travelers, again demonstrating the diversity of experiences available in NYC. Our social channels will continue to feature always-on content showcasing the exciting array of happenings in NYC at any given moment as well as ongoing content that supports each of our membership sectors. In addition to our internal team of experts, this content is developed by our award-winning Creator Squad, representing outstanding local voices across the categories of food, hotels, shopping, Broadway, culture and more. We will continue to showcase local businesses of all sizes, as well as community leaders and business owners across the five boroughs, to help promote neighborhood exploration and cultural diversity. Our Global Communications and Social Media teams will continue to support our signature marketing initiatives, including our vibrancy campaigns, to help drive traffic and sales to the hundreds of participating member businesses.   Alongside this work, our ongoing content initiatives will continue to showcase the diverse cultural fabric of our destination, inclusive of our seasonal guides and content platforms such as The Asian Experience in NYC, The Black Experience in NYC and The Latino Experience in NYC. These platforms showcase small businesses throughout the five boroughs, helping drive curiosity and exploration, and provide ample inspiration for visitors to return. They also appeal to first-timers eager for authentic cultural experiences to pair with visits to iconic sites. Our Marketing and Tourism teams are also focused on deeper audience development across key segments, such as luxury, Black travel and LGBTQ+. Our new luxury strategy includes refreshed content on our B2C site as well as a new B2B section exclusively for the luxury travel trade, featuring a specially curated selection of luxury product, resources and guides. We will also create a Luxury Travel Trade Council to create tighter connections with the luxury trade, ensuring they have ongoing product updates and that our organization has the latest insights into this impactful segment. Additionally, we will build on the success of our first Black Travel FAM that cut across our Tourism Development, Global Communications and Convention Sales teams, bringing leaders in Black media, leisure travel and business events into the City for an immersive destination experience. We will continue our engagement with the LGBTQ+ community, focusing our consumer messaging on NYC as a safe, welcoming destination, particularly as we ramp up to WorldPride in Washington, DC, in 2025, looking toward creating visitors’ pre- and/or post-event experiences. Our focus on student and youth travel has never been more important. We will host the 2024 Student and Youth Travel Association (SYTA) conference this August and will continue to focus on value and family-friendly travel moving forward. Other highlights include our partnership with the film Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire this March and a wealth of forthcoming content features about the City’s historic sites as we look forward to the 400th anniversary of the founding of NYC in 2025 and the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026.

Sustainably restore visitation, spending and business events

Our marketing campaigns will continue to center around two primary tranches: vibrancy campaigns designed to support our member businesses during key need periods, and our global tourism campaign designed to drive direct bookings to NYC through partnerships with airlines and tour operators around the world. Our vibrancy campaigns comprise NYC Restaurant Week, NYC Broadway Week, NYC Must-See Week, NYC Off-Broadway Week and NYC Hotel Week. These programs will continue under the NYC Winter Outing umbrella in January/February, providing more incentive to drive overnight visitation during our most critical needs period. We will continue to strive for more participation in these programs across all five boroughs to help support as many businesses as possible through the outreach efforts of our Membership and Government Affairs teams. We will also build on our support of those businesses with a suite of tools, including social media campaigns and menu-engineering tips to help them achieve as much success as possible. Further, we will continue to secure airline and rail partners to support the program, as well as the assistance of other brands that can help increase promotional reach and awareness. We will repeat our iconic NYC Restaurant Week program in July/August, as well as NYC Broadway Week and NYC Off-Broadway Week in the fall. And thanks to the invaluable support of our partner Bloomberg Connects, we will once again launch our It’s Time for Culture program this October, designed to provide a moment in the spotlight for our participating cultural members and give culture-lovers around the world a powerful reason to visit NYC at that time of year. We will continue our global tourism campaign, designed to drive direct travel bookings in our key feeder markets through the support of impactful airline and tour operator partnerships. We will develop refreshed creative that continues to iterate on the wildly popular Lady Liberty, leveraging key learnings from our 2023 SMARI results, proving that this imagery resonates with consumers at home and abroad. Our goal will be to continue spreading this effort across as many markets as possible, leveraging our international out-of-home media, courtesy of our partnership with JCDecaux, as well as digital media where possible and across key owned channels. Augmenting these efforts, our Tourism Development team will continue to work with the travel trade to train them on the latest developments in the City to promote a rich, five-borough product offering. They will continue connecting our members to the trade at key trade shows throughout the year, with a renewed effort on Reverse Sales Missions and Business Expos in tandem with our Global Communications and Convention Sales teams. This will allow us to bring more critical players into the market to experience NYC firsthand and engage with a wider variety of our member businesses. Our Convention Sales team will remain steadfast in its focus on bringing in big events of all sizes to NYC from around the world. The team plans to meet and exceed its room-night goals, continuing to grow our current and new relationships with clients both domestically and internationally to bring events to the City and confirm definite hotel room nights for our members.​ As part of this effort, the team will streamline trade show participation and increase participation in regional and national industry activities to best connect with business event professionals on the ground and encourage them to bring their next event to NYC​. In partnership with the Creative/Content and Marketing teams, Convention Sales will update and expand its suite of marketing collateral and sales tools, as well as its ongoing B2B advertising campaigns, which is designed to drive lead generation and traffic to our Meeting Planner website for continued engagement. The team will also continue to grow its partnerships with key industry associations to keep NYC top of mind as a business event destination unlike any other in the world.

Fueling business growth through increased member engagement

We will continue to develop new and enhanced opportunities for deeper engagement with our member businesses to help drive sales and awareness. First, we will maintain a regular cadence of Business Card Exchanges across the five boroughs to create ongoing opportunities for members to network and discover new opportunities for partnerships and business building. We will also continue our popular Member Talks series, both in person and virtual, providing our members with the information and tools they need to stay competitive. We are also developing new opportunities for members to showcase their product offerings and initiatives across our ecosystem through more integrated content and ad sales opportunities, as well as sponsorships of our corporate events, such as our annual NYC Tourism Foundation Gala, our Annual Meeting, Tristate Meeting Planner Event, Member Talks, Tourism Ready, Reverse Sales Missions and Business Expos and more.

Lay the groundwork for forthcoming big events to maximize tourism impact

In 2025 and 2026, New York City will be the site for some of the biggest celebrations the world has ever seen. NYC Tourism + Conventions is already working to ensure the foundation is created now to optimally leverage them for the benefit of our members and our destination. In May 2024, we will announce our upcoming history platform to media and travel trade around the world at IPW, designed to commemorate both the 400th anniversary of the founding of NYC in 2025 and the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026. This history platform, Founded By NYC, will commemorate both anniversaries by celebrating the unmatched creativity, innovation and influence New Yorkers have had over the world since our city’s founding. In our creative and content, we will uplift underrepresented voices and stories, particularly those of the Lenape Indian tribe, free and enslaved Black Americans, and women. Our content will cut across our editorial and social channels through an ongoing release of articles, interviews and photo galleries, celebrating the City’s past, present and future, and encouraging travelers to make their own history in NYC. Our platform will also include a partnership with the iconic Broadway musical Hamilton , because what better way to tell the story of NYC’s place in our nation’s founding than with the help of the story that started it all? This partnership will come to life in a variety of ways, with more details to be announced. As our America250 celebrations culminate in summer 2026, NYC and New Jersey will be home to the global celebration of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Eight matches will take place at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), from Group Stage Matches starting June 13 to the Finals on July 19. As part of the festivities, there will be NYNJ Fan Fest events in every borough as well as many other tournament-related events. We look forward to leveraging this enormous opportunity to not only positively showcase our destination on a global stage but to encourage visitors to come early, explore more and stay longer.

2023 Financials

During the 12-month period ending June 30, 2023, NYC Tourism + Conventions recognized $21 million of the revenue received from the City through the city contract and an additional $11.6 million in other public funding, including additional funding from the City, the American Rescue Plan and New York State funds. Revenue from the private sector—including membership—totaled an additional $11.2 million. In FY24 and beyond, the company’s city contract is subject to further PEG reductions, which are expected to negatively impact revenue by at least an additional $3 million per year over the next four years.

Board of Directors

Executive committee, ex-officios.

©2024. New York City Tourism + Conventions

New York: A concrete jungle where dreams are still made

Like moths to a flame, travelers from near and far used to flock by the millions to New York City (NYC). In 2019 alone, the most visited city in the Western hemisphere played host to 67 million visitors. 1 The tourism industry in New York City: Reigniting the return , Office of the New York State Comptroller, April 2021, osc.state.ny.us.

About the authors

The vast majority—around 80 percent—came for leisure. 2 The tourism industry in New York City: Reigniting the return , Office of the New York State Comptroller, April 2021, osc.state.ny.us. For many, peering down from the top of the Empire State Building, exploring masterpieces at the Met, marveling at the Statue of Liberty, or digging into a pizza at Lombardi’s (or a pastrami sandwich at Katz’s Deli) before spending the evening at a musical on Broadway fulfilled a lifelong dream.

The rest came for business. They attended meetings in Midtown and the Financial District and networked at conferences at the Javits Center and Piers 92/94. But even those on work trips often couldn’t resist catching a sports event at Barclays Center, strolling through Prospect Park, or enjoying a craft cocktail at one of the city’s many high-end bars. In this city, business frequently slips into “bleisure.”

Whatever their purpose, travelers are a large part of what makes NYC the global economic and cultural powerhouse it is today. In fact, it is the United States’ most connected city, with regular flights to 147 international destinations (Exhibit 1). Twenty-one percent of all foreign visitors who fly into the country make sure to include NYC in their itinerary, more than any other city (and twice that of Los Angeles, which comes in second). 3 Passenger Intelligence Services (Pas-IS) data.

Before the pandemic, visitors contributed $47.4 billion to NYC’s local economy, supporting nearly 300,000 tourism jobs in hospitality, food and beverage, retail, and transport, which amounted to 7 percent of employment in the private sector. The travel industry indirectly supported an additional 376,800 jobs, from dry cleaners laundering linens for the city’s hotels to farmers supplying fresh produce to local restaurants. 4 The tourism industry in New York City: Reigniting the return .

Thus, when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out at the start of 2020, the blow to NYC’s travel industry sent ripple effects across the city’s entire economy. The financial impact was estimated to be six times that of the 9/11 attacks, and the city lost around $1.2 billion in tourism-related tax revenues. 5 The tourism industry in New York City: Reigniting the return . Last year, overall visits fell by 67 percent, which contributed to an 82 percent plunge in hotel occupancy. 6 A call for action and collaboration , Partnership for New York City, July 2020, pfnyc.org. At least 1,000 bars and restaurants closed, 7 Bao Ong, “A favorite Columbia hangout shutters on the Upper West Side—and more closings,” New York Eater, August 27,2021, ny.eater.com. and many retail stores went out of business. In the once-buzzy Soho district, more than 40 stores pulled down their shutters for good. 8 Matthew Haag, “SoHo catered to free-spending tourists. What happens without them?” New York Times , October 5, 2021, nytimes.com.

More than 31 percent of tourism jobs were eliminated, including 46 percent of jobs across hotels in Manhattan. 9 The tourism industry in New York City: Reigniting the return . The sector’s devastation also disproportionately impacted financially vulnerable populations, given that 60 percent of travel industry workers over 25 years of age don’t have a bachelor’s degree, and minorities and immigrants make up the majority of the industry’s workforce (66 percent and 46 percent, respectively).

In this article, we take the pulse of NYC’s travel industry today, more than 20 months since the city saw its first COVID-19 case. While we observe glimmers of hope that the travel sector may be recovering, significant challenges remain that may slow down the return of travel jobs, as well as the industry’s efforts to fully recoup its financial losses.

At the time of publication, the Omicron variant is casting further doubt on how quickly life can return to normalcy, as authorities consider the necessary public-health measures to reintroduce. It’s a stark reminder that the pandemic is an ever-evolving public-health situation, especially during the colder months.

In the face of greater unpredictability, it’s become more critical for industry stakeholders in both the public and private sectors to come together now to empower a faster, stronger, and better resurgence of the travel sector. We suggest three key areas of opportunity for travel players to focus their efforts.

Opportunities and challenges for New York City’s travel sector

As the city enters its second winter living with the pandemic, there are reasons to be both optimistic and concerned. On the positive side, travelers are slowly returning. NYC’s destination marketing organization, NYC & Company, projects about 36.1 million will visit this year 10 “NYC & Company launches largest-ever global tourism recovery campaign, ‘It’s Time for New York City,’” NYC & Company, June 24, 2021, business.nycgo.com. but that a return to prepandemic levels is not likely to be achieved before 2025. 11 Patrick McGeehan, “Tourism, engine for NYC economy, may not fully recover until 2025,” New York Times , May 13, 2021, nytimes.com. Meanwhile, the Omicron variant threatens to roll back some of the progress made, by further extending the pandemic and delaying the return of travelers.

McKinsey has surveyed thousands of executives on the likelihood of nine different scenarios  for economic outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic. These scenarios account for the GDP impact of the virus’s health effects and the effectiveness of governments’ public-health and economic-policy responses to it. In the United States, the A1 scenario, which assumes a muted recovery, is expected to be the most likely. The A2 scenario, which assumes a stronger rebound, is also worth considering given recent indicators of an acceleration in recovery. Both scenarios have factored in some virus resurgence—such as outbreaks of the Omicron variant—with the difference being the pace and time needed for economic recovery.

We used the assumptions in these scenarios to project air-passenger traffic to NYC, and our analysis suggests that, in both scenarios, air travel to the city may potentially rebound by 2023 based on various reopening plans, improving GDP trajectory due to pent-up demand, recoveries in other markets, and limited structural impact outside of business travel. This may create additional upside to potential visitor numbers over the next couple of years (Exhibit 2).

A number of other indicators point to people’s eagerness to come back to NYC to reconnect, explore new destinations, or revisit cherished favorite places. For one, Airbnb cited NYC as the fall’s most popular destination. 12 “Extended weekend stays and scenic cities top fall travel plans,” Airbnb, August 30, 2021, news.airbnb.com. And when travelers do visit NYC, they are likely to spend more than they would have prepandemic, based on McKinsey analysis indicating that savings rates spiked 10 to 20 percent  in the United States during the pandemic.

However, significant hurdles remain as the travel sector picks back up. Domestic and leisure travelers will likely be the first to return in big numbers, but higher-spending international and business travelers leave a greater impact on the travel economy. Business travelers spend twice as much as leisure travelers despite making up a smaller portion of the city’s total visitors. Even though international travelers made up only around 20 percent of total visitors before the pandemic, they spent $1,709 on average, or 3.5 times more than domestic travelers. Chinese visitors alone spent $3.3 billion in NYC in 2019, accounting for nearly 15 percent of total international spending (Exhibit 3).

Business and international travelers will likely be the hardest to lure back. McKinsey analyses  reveal that, historically, corporate travel takes longer to bounce back after a downturn. While the leisure-travel market took two years to recover after the 2008 financial crisis, business travel took five years. Meanwhile, many regions around the world are still bound by travel restrictions and quarantine requirements. While the United States has recently reopened to vaccinated foreign travelers, 13 Vjosa Isai, Zolan Kanno-Youngs, and Heather Murphy, “Vaccinated travelers from abroad, including Canadians with mixed doses, can enter the U.S. starting Nov. 8,” New York Times , November 8, 2021, nytimes.com. and there has been an uptick in international bookings, many people continue to feel unsafe traveling internationally . Of course, the Omicron variant further complicates the outlook.

As such, the return of global visitors may be much slower and more uncertain than domestic travelers. In addition, ongoing work-from-home policies and flexible work arrangements are keeping more people at home, and therefore reducing the need for people to travel to (and within) NYC.

Given the importance of travelers to the city’s social and economic fabric, the sector’s slower recovery relative to other sectors throughout the pandemic, and the impact of current and potential future coronavirus variants, creative approaches should be considered for the sector to emerge stronger.

We propose three areas to consider: focusing efforts on encouraging domestic travelers to visit—and revisit—the city; reinvigorating the workforce to enhance visitors’ experiences; and reimagining the city as a hub for business travel by keeping up to date with changing working norms.

Create new reasons for domestic travelers to (re)visit New York City

With “It’s Time for New York City” (at $30 million, the city’s largest-ever marketing campaign, launched in June 2021 14 “NYC & Company launches largest-ever global tourism recovery campaign ‘It’s Time for New York City,’” NYC & Company, June 24, 2021, business.nycgo.com. ), it’s clear NYC knows how important targeted, analytical marketing is for the recovery of the travel sector.

The good news is that many Americans are ready to travel. According to the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Air Travel Pulse survey, the United States has one of the highest “flight interest indexes” in the world, signaling Americans’ comfort with flying. In addition, historically, two-thirds of domestic travelers to NYC hailed from cities in New York state and neighboring states such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. 15 The tourism industry in New York City: Reigniting the return . As evidenced by the recent uptick in bookings, NYC has become a great option for nearby travelers to “escape the suburban sprawl” or experience something new in a familiar destination.

Approaches to entice domestic travelers include doubling-down on offering must-attend, extraordinary events, encouraging visitors to extend their stays to explore undiscovered parts of NYC, and harnessing digitization to elevate visitor experiences with smart-city (or technologically modern) concepts.

Historically, people have traveled to NYC for its incredible events—musicals, fairs, sporting events, and concerts. Increasing the frequency of not-to-be-missed events, especially during nonpeak seasons, and marketing them across the United States, could be one way to persuade travelers to book a trip.

Some destinations have given their iconic landmarks an artistic twist so that even return visitors can encounter a familiar monument with fresh eyes. This year, Cairo surrounded the Giza pyramids with pop-up art installations, 16 Nadine Khalil, “At the pyramids of Giza, an unprecedented exhibition of contemporary art,” Artsy, November 2, 2021, artsy.com. and the entire Arc de Triomphe in Paris was wrapped in polypropylene to honor the late artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude. 17 “An estimated 6 million people viewed L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped, Paris, 1961–2021 in person,” Office du Tourisme Paris, November 9, 2021, christojeanneclaude.net. Could something similar (or completely different) be done with, say, the Brooklyn Bridge?

Given that most domestic visitors historically don’t stay in NYC for more than two days, a “two- or multicenter” approach could be adopted to market itineraries that add a day or two to travel plans so visits have more of an international-getaway feel. For example, itineraries could start with an urban experience, directing travelers to Times Square, followed by a viewing of art at MoMA PS1 in Queens, a visit to Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island, or a tour of the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. Combined with thoughtful improvements to the city’s urban transit system, such an approach could make it easier for visitors to explore new parts of the city outside of Manhattan, as well as help to infuse lesser-known neighborhoods with greater vibrancy and economic stimulus.

Leveraging digital technologies to bring smart-city concepts to life could enhance visitor experiences and attract new travelers, while helping the city progress toward its sustainability goals. Recent upgrades to airports servicing the area demonstrate the city’s clear focus on achieving such goals.

Meanwhile, the digital traffic-flow management tools used to plot the most efficient routes for rideshares and taxis could indicate journeys that produce the least amount of carbon emissions. Mobile apps could notify tourists that the Museum of Modern Art is overcrowded and indicate a time they should come back as well as suggest the Bronx Museum of the Arts current exhibition as an alternative.

Bringing these ideas to life may require both public–private partnerships and investment. By working together, the city would be better positioned to welcome back and delight leisure travelers.

Reinvigorate the travel workforce

As in healthcare, tourism, too, has its frontline workers. These are the friendly faces that greet you at hotel reception, drive you around in yellow cabs (or rideshare vehicles), and serve you a meal at your favorite eatery. They are the first point of contact and have a direct impact on whether visitors’ experiences in NYC are positive or negative.

McKinsey research projects 18 Current Population Survey; McKinsey analysis, in collaboration with Oxford Economics. that the accommodation and food services, arts, entertainment, and recreation, and retail trade sectors in NYC may see a total decline of 23,000 jobs between the fourth quarters of 2019 and 2022, while the number of healthcare jobs may rise by 40,000. Roles such as retail sales staff and hospitality workers—which have a median wage of $30,000 (versus the city’s overall median wage of $52,000)—are likely to experience a net employment decline of 12,000.

Exacerbated by widespread labor shortages across industries, a diminished workforce could see the travel and hospitality industry short-staffed and lacking the capacity to deliver indelible memories to visitors. Tourism growth would also likely be inhibited.

Addressing this could require sustained interventions across a number of dimensions. To attract and retain workers in tourism and hospitality, employers and public stakeholders could partner to offer incentives and perks, such as providing discounted transportation from home to the workplace, flexible working times (where feasible), and career training and development for further advancement within the sector. Focusing on fostering a sense of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment (through rewards, improved working lifestyles, and recognition) could help minimize attrition and help ensure that well-trained and talented travel employees don’t switch industries.

Dubai, through Dubai Way, offers courses with certifications for workers to expand their skill sets and develop expertise in hospitality and service. 19 “‘Dubai way’ training platform offers online learning resources to strengthen skillset of tourism workforce,” Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, April 29, 2020, dubaitourism.gov.ae. Similarly, NYC could offer sommelier classes for restaurant servers or marketing courses for tour guides to help workers advance their careers.

Reimagine New York City as a hub for business travel

Norms around the way we work and how business is conducted are changing, and NYC could reimagine its role as a nexus of business activity. As more companies embrace hybrid models of work and more functions are performed remotely, some forms of business travel may never return. McKinsey analysis suggests this may result in a permanent decline  of up to 20 percent in corporate travel.

For those who do begin to travel for work again, we expect  regional business travel for sales meetings to be among the first to return. While international conferences would likely be the last to return, companies may be more receptive to sending employees to regional conferences. Companies, especially small and medium-size enterprises, may seek a “first player advantage” to cultivate important client relationships in-person instead of through a video screen. One way to target these travelers would be to market bleisure events, such as access to physically distanced meeting spaces combined with tickets to the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, to help enhance potential client relationships.

This would also open up opportunities to convert vacant office and meeting spaces left by the hollowing out of physical offices for more flexible uses, such as networking events, company off-site meetings, start-up incubators, and smaller-scale, hybrid conferences. Some abandoned real estate could even be converted into accommodations with integrated coworking and community-building elements to cater to a growing number of people looking for flexible work arrangements with an emphasis on work–life balance. Similarly, coworking spaces with health-safety protocols in place may emerge as a new asset for business-travel circuits or for people who want to live in NYC but work for companies without a local presence.

Bringing visitors back to NYC is critical for a full recovery to take root. Many New Yorkers depend on it for their livelihoods. Now is the time for the city to draw from its spirit of reinvention, which has been a beacon drawing in travelers from across the United States and abroad for centuries. As the singer Alicia Keys reminds us in “The Empire State of Mind,” the streets “will make you feel brand-new. Big lights will inspire you. Let’s hear it for New York.”

Alex Cosmas , Linda Liu , and Maurice Obeid are partners in McKinsey’s New York office, where Yael Taqqu is a senior partner. Jules Seeley is a senior partner in the Boston office.

The authors wish to thank Urs Binggeli, Margaux Constantin, Clay Cowan, Guenter Fuchs, Vik Krishnan, Ellen Scully, Tony Shorris, Rebecca Stone, and Jasperina de Vries for their contributions to this article.

This article was edited by Jason Li, a senior editor in the Shanghai office.

Explore a career with us

Related articles.

Twelve insights for an inclusive economic recovery for New York City

Perspective on travel recovery

The path to recovery for US hospitality

• Travel, Tourism & Hospitality ›
• Leisure Travel

Tourism in New York - statistics & facts

What do visitors do in new york, where do tourists stay the night in new york, key insights.

Detailed statistics

City destinations with the highest direct travel and tourism GDP worldwide 2022

Total amount spent by visitors in New York, U.S. 2018-2022

Visitation to NYC, U.S. 2019-2024

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Current statistics on this topic.

Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Economic impact of tourism in New York, U.S. 2022, by type

Share of visitor spending in New York, U.S. 2022, by region

Tourism-generated employment in New York, U.S. 2022, by county

Related topics

Recommended.

• City trips in the U.S.
• Travel and tourism in the U.S.
• Domestic tourism in the U.S.
• National park tourism in the U.S.
• Sustainable tourism in the U.S.

Recommended statistics

• Basic Statistic City destinations with the highest direct travel and tourism GDP worldwide 2022
• Premium Statistic Economic impact of tourism in New York, U.S. 2019-2022
• Premium Statistic Economic impact of tourism in New York, U.S. 2022, by type
• Premium Statistic Tourism-generated employment in New York, U.S. 2022, by county
• Premium Statistic Most viewed travel destinations on TikTok worldwide 2023

Leading city tourism destinations worldwide in 2022, ranked by direct contribution of travel and tourism to GDP (in billion U.S. dollars)

Economic impact of tourism in New York, U.S. 2019-2022

Total economic impact of tourism in New York, United States from 2019 to 2022 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Total economic impact of tourism in New York, United States in 2022, by type (in billion U.S. dollars)

Number of jobs generated through tourism in New York, United States in 2022, by county

Most viewed travel destinations on TikTok worldwide 2023

Most popular travel destinations on TikTok worldwide as of May 2023 (in billion TikTok views)

• Premium Statistic Visitation to NYC, U.S. 2019-2024
• Premium Statistic Visitation to NYC, U.S. 2019-2024, by origin
• Premium Statistic Share of business and leisure visitors to New York City, U.S. 2022
• Premium Statistic Most visited states in the U.S. 2022
• Premium Statistic Most visited cities by digital nomads worldwide 2024

Number of visitors to New York City, United States from 2019 to 2022, with a forecast to 2024 (in millions)

Visitation to NYC, U.S. 2019-2024, by origin

Number of visitors to New York City, United States from 2019 to 2022, with a forecast to 2024, by origin (in millions)

Share of business and leisure visitors to New York City, U.S. 2022

Distribution of visitors to New York City, United States in 2022, by visit purpose

Most visited states in the U.S. 2022

Most visited states by adults in the United States as of September 2022

Most visited cities by digital nomads worldwide 2024

Leading cities visited by digital nomads worldwide as of March 2024

Visitor spending

• Premium Statistic Total amount spent by visitors in New York, U.S. 2018-2022
• Premium Statistic Total amount spent by visitors in New York, U.S. 2018-2022, by industry
• Premium Statistic Total amount spent by visitors in New York, U.S. 2018-2022, by market
• Premium Statistic Share of visitor spending in New York, U.S. 2022, by region

Visitor spending in New York, United States from 2018 to 2022 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Total amount spent by visitors in New York, U.S. 2018-2022, by industry

Visitor spending in New York, United States from 2018 to 2022, by industry (in million U.S. dollars)

Total amount spent by visitors in New York, U.S. 2018-2022, by market

Visitor spending in New York, United States from 2018 to 2022, by market (in billion U.S. dollars)

Distribution of visitor spending in New York, United States in 2022, by region

Accommodation

• Basic Statistic Selected cities with the highest hotel rates in North America as of September 2023
• Basic Statistic Selected cities with the highest hotel rates in the U.S. as of September 2023
• Premium Statistic Overnight accommodation costs in New York 2023, by month
• Premium Statistic Selected hotels most posted about on Instagram globally 2022

Selected cities with the highest hotel rates in North America as of September 2023

Selected cities with the most expensive hotel rates in North America as of September 2023 (in U.S. dollars)

Selected cities with the highest hotel rates in the U.S. as of September 2023

Selected cities with the most expensive hotel rates in the United States as of September 2023 (in U.S. dollars)

Overnight accommodation costs in New York 2023, by month

Overnight accommodation costs in New York in 2023, by month (in U.S. dollars)

Selected hotels most posted about on Instagram globally 2022

Selected hotels with the most Instagram posts worldwide in 2022

• Premium Statistic Number of Airbnb listings in selected U.S. cities 2024
• Premium Statistic Key data on Airbnb property bookings in NYC, U.S. 2024
• Premium Statistic Number of Airbnb listings in New York City, U.S. 2024, by room type
• Premium Statistic Share of long and short-term Airbnb properties in NYC, U.S. 2024

Number of Airbnb listings in selected U.S. cities 2024

Number of Airbnb listings in selected cities in the United States as of February 2024

Key data on Airbnb property bookings in NYC, U.S. 2024

Key booking figures of Airbnb properties in New York City, United States as of January 2024

Number of Airbnb listings in New York City, U.S. 2024, by room type

Number of Airbnb listings in New York City, United States as of January 2024, by room type

Share of long and short-term Airbnb properties in NYC, U.S. 2024

Distribution of Airbnb properties in New York, United States as of January 2024, by length of stay

Attractions

• Premium Statistic Leading museums by highest attendance worldwide 2019-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of visitors to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York 2007-2023
• Basic Statistic Cities with the most Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide 2022
• Premium Statistic Selected restaurants most posted about on Instagram globally 2022
• Premium Statistic Selected landmarks most posted about on Instagram globally 2022
• Premium Statistic Attendance at Broadway shows in New York 2006-2023, by category
• Premium Statistic Weekly attendance at Broadway shows in New York 2022-2024

Leading museums by highest attendance worldwide 2019-2022

Most visited museums worldwide from 2019 to 2022 (in millions)

Number of visitors to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York 2007-2023

Number of visitors to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, United States from 2007 to 2023 (in millions)

Cities with the most Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide 2022

Cities with the most Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide as of January 2022

Selected restaurants most posted about on Instagram globally 2022

Selected restaurants with the most Instagram posts worldwide in 2022

Selected landmarks most posted about on Instagram globally 2022

Selected landmarks with the most Instagram posts worldwide in 2022

Attendance at Broadway shows in New York 2006-2023, by category

Total attendance at Broadway shows in New York, United States from 2006 to 2023, by category (in 1,000s)

Weekly attendance at Broadway shows in New York 2022-2024

Weekly attendance at Broadway shows in New York, United States from 2022 to 2024 (in 1,000s)

Sporting events

• Premium Statistic Regular season home attendance of the New York Knicks 2006-2023
• Premium Statistic Regular season home attendance of the Brooklyn Nets 2006-2023
• Premium Statistic Regular season average attendance of the New York Yankees 2009-2023
• Premium Statistic Regular season average attendance of the New York Mets 2009-2023
• Basic Statistic National Hockey League - New York Rangers home attendance 2005-2023

Regular season home attendance of the New York Knicks 2006-2023

New York Knicks regular season home attendance from 2006/07 to 2022/23

Regular season home attendance of the Brooklyn Nets 2006-2023

Brooklyn Nets regular season home attendance from 2006/07 to 2022/23

Regular season average attendance of the New York Yankees 2009-2023

Average regular season home attendance of the New York Yankees from 2009 to 2023

Regular season average attendance of the New York Mets 2009-2023

Average regular season home attendance of the New York Mets from 2009 to 2023

National Hockey League - New York Rangers home attendance 2005-2023

Total/average regular season home attendance of the New York Rangers from 2005/06 to 2022/23

Further reports Get the best reports to understand your industry

Get the best reports to understand your industry.

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm (SGT)

Mon - Fri, 10:00am - 6:00pm (JST)

Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm (GMT)

• BREAKING NEWS NYPD clears Columbia's Hamilton Hall; dozens arrested: police sources Full Story
• ABC7 New York 24/7 Eyewitness News Stream Watch Now
• THE LOOP | NYC Weather and Traffic Cams Watch Now
• coronavirus new york city

New York City could see 70% increase in tourists in 2022: New study

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- After more than two years, New York City is on the verge of a tourism boom -- and the city needs it.

The saxophone player in Times Square was playing the blues Wednesday night, but he's making a lot more money doing it than he has in a long while.

After months of sparse audiences, you now have to wait in line to get a ticket to a Broadway show, but if you want a COVID test, step right up.

Charlie runs Brisbees Hot Dogs and recalls a time when there was no business in the city at all.

"It was dead, there were no people coming to Times Square," Charlie said.

During the pandemic, tourism spending dropped in the city by more than half, but according to a new study by the city's tourism agency, New York is likely to see a 70% increase in tourism this year.

ALSO READ | Couple arrives in New Jersey after fleeing war-torn Ukraine

Approximately, 56 million people will visit the city in 2022 including 8 million from abroad. And they are spending.

"We have four shows in three days," one tourist said.

"I've always wanted to come," Samantha said.

Samantha came in for the week with 11 people from Chicago.

"During the whole pandemic, when everything was shut down it just made us want to get out more and it just made you think of everything you were missing so the second we could we packed up and headed out," she said.

It's nice to be making money again, too.

ALSO READ: BA-2 subvariant of Omicron COVID-19 strand makes up 1/3 of new cases

"Definitely there's more people out on the plaza then there has been the past few months, it's nice to see them and it's been very nice for business as well," Charlie said.

The city has seen the big increase in tourism without tourists from China, which remains locked down.

China was the fastest growing portion of tourism in New York before the pandemic, so when they can come back, tourism could see another big spike.

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 COVERAGE

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on coronavirus

Submit a COVID Question

Related Topics

• HEALTH & FITNESS
• NEW YORK CITY
• CORONAVIRUS NEW YORK CITY
• CORONAVIRUS
• CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
• CORONAVIRUS NEW YORK
• COVID 19 PANDEMIC
• COVID 19 OUTBREAK

Coronavirus New York City

NYC Council to vote on plan to extend life expectancy of New Yorkers

Nyc launches plan to extend average life expectancy of new yorkers.

New York State Health Department reports uptick in COVID-19 cases

Red flags suggest possible COVID-19 resurgence, doctor says

Top stories.

NYPD clears Columbia's Hamilton Hall; dozens arrested: police sources

• 10 minutes ago

25-year-old suspect shot by NYPD officers in Chelsea dies

Macy's 4th of July fireworks returning to Hudson River this year

Video shows NJ Transit officers saving life of choking 3-year-old

2 arrests made so far in string of muggings in Central Park

Sixers stun the Knicks with comeback win to force Game 6

Suffolk Co. continues search for human remains in Gilgo Beach murders

Trump trial updates: Former president found in contempt of court

Latest News

FCCA renews and expands partnership with Aquila for enhanced cruise industry training

Finnair temporarily suspends flights to Tartu due to GPS interference

Global Travel Collection launches Elevate Connections in major cities for 2024

PriceTravel Holding joins Hotel Electronic Distribution Association (HEDNA)

Global travel peaks as workers embrace Labour Day getaways

Shiji Enterprise Platform PMS is selected by Melco Resorts & Entertainment to power its digital transformation

International health insurance vs. travel medical insurance

Zela Aviation facilitates new easyJet route to Sitia Airport for Summer 2024

IATA disappointed with new US DOT consumer protection rules

Dallas’ hotel construction pipeline largest at Q1; Atlanta hits its all-time high

New York City tourism attracted 61.8 million travelers in 2023

Tourism Industry supports 380,000 jobs across the five boroughs and thousands of small and minority-owned businesses

New York City – New York City’s tourism industry continued to bolster the state and city economy in 2023, generating $74 billion in economic impact with more than $48 billion coming from direct spending (not adjusted for inflation). This activity supported over 380,000 leisure and hospitality jobs—roughly 9% of the City’s workforce—and thousands of small and minority-owned businesses across all five boroughs. Tax revenue, which totaled more than $6 billion generated by visitor spending, saved each New York City household approximately $2,000 in 2023.

New York City Tourism + Conventions , the official destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau for the five boroughs of New York City, also released its final 2023 forecast, with the City attracting 61.8 million travelers in 2023, marking a recovery of 93% of the City’s record 2019 visitation levels.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: New York City is back! And this year’s tourism numbers prove our economic recovery is coming back stronger than ever,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams . “New York City’s tourism industry touches every corner of the five boroughs – supporting small and minority-owned businesses and more than 380,000 local jobs. We’re grateful to every single one of the 62 million visitors who brought in more than $74 billion in economic activity to our city this past year, and look forward to welcoming even more visitors next year.”

“Throughout 2023, New York City saw a continued return to pre-pandemic travel patterns, reaffirming the industry’s place as a driver for the City’s economy with $74 billion in economic impact,” said New York City Tourism + Conventions President and CEO Fred Dixon . “Our city is as vibrant as ever. New attractions, cultural offerings, restaurants, a welcoming arrivals experience and more have helped NYC remain a top destination for domestic and international travelers.”  

International and Domestic Travel

• Domestic travel will reach 51.1 million in 2023, a 7.9% year-over-year increase over 2022.
• International visitation, which accounts for nearly half of all visitor spending, will reach 10.8 million visitors in 2023, marking a 14.9% year-over-year increase.
• As of December 2023, more overseas travelers hold valid US visas than at any point in history.
• In 2023, New York City’s five largest international markets will be the United Kingdom (974,000), Canada (864,000), France (728,000), Brazil (589,000) and Germany (554,000).
• Canada will reclaim its place as the second-largest international market.
• Western European markets regain their position as core markets for international travel to the City.
• Economic conditions in South America remain mixed, however Brazil, Colombia and Argentina remain important feeder markets.
• The Chinese market is beginning to return as flight capacity increases; China was New York City’s second-largest overseas market in 2019.

Business and Leisure Travel

• Business travel accounts for approximately 20 percent of all visitation to New York City annually; it was the hardest hit sector in the pandemic and continues to recover at a slower pace.
• In 2023, business travel is expected to increase to 11.8 million, growing by nearly 3 million visitors.

Tourism Infrastructure

• New York City remains the largest point of entry to the US. It operates the world’s busiest airport system, with more than 2,900 weekly flight arrivals across John F. Kennedy international Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR),
• LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Stewart International Airport (SWF). More flights arrive through New York City airports than any other destination in the United States.
• Air traffic at LGA, JFK and EWR airports now exceeds pre-pandemic levels.
• More than $20 billion in investments are being made across JFK, EWR and LGA airports to improve the traveler experience:
• LGA is undergoing an $8 billion transformation to a single, structurally unified main terminal with better transportation access and first-class passenger amenities—the first complete rebuild of a US airport in over 25 years. All remaining construction is slated for completion in 2024.
• The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in collaboration with American Airlines and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield Airports, is launching a $125 million commercial redevelopment initiative for Terminal 8 at JFK.
• This project will introduce more than 60 new shopping and dining options, emphasizing local and diverse businesses, following a $400 million terminal expansion.
• On January 12, 2023, EWR debuted the updated $2.7 billion Terminal A, offering 33 new gates serving Air Canada, American Airlines, JetBlue and United Airlines customers, directly connected to a multilevel parking facility.
• EWR is also working toward a new 2.5-mile elevated guideway train system to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and ease traffic congestion.
• The New York City subway system continued to rebound reaching a record 2.9 million paid rides on Saturday, December 9, representing the highest weekend day for ridership in four years.
• Hotel performance remained strong in 2023, with an estimated 36.5 million room nights sold, approximately 8% below 2019 record levels.
• New York City is again among the top three US markets and was the highest-performing hotel city in the US in the fourth quarter of 2023.
• The demand for hotels remained strong and was supported by a steady increase in midweek business travel.
• More than 70 new hotels creating more than 10,000 hotel rooms will be added to the City’s inventory in the next three years across the five boroughs.
• Active or available hotel room inventory citywide continues to vary as hotels adjust to new marketplace conditions. As of December 2023, roughly 121,464 rooms were in active inventory.

Arts and Culture

• The arts and culture sector continued to see the opening of new venues and exhibits. Employment in the arts and culture sector grew by 7% year over year to approximately 84,800 jobs.
• The 2022–2023 Broadway season saw 12.3 million admissions, 16.8% shy of the record-breaking 2018–2019 season pre-Covid (the last complete season before the shutdown).
• Broadway attendance was up 6% from 2022, while total grosses increased by 9% to $11 million.

Looking ahead

• America 250: In 2026, the US will celebrate 250 years since its founding. New York City will commemorate its status as the nation’s first capital, the birthplace of the American government and the place where the Bill of Rights was written.
• FIFA 2026 World Cup: FIFA has announced New York/New Jersey as a host city for the 2026 World Cup. Additional details will be announced in the coming weeks, including which games will be held in the area.

New York City is currently on track to welcome 64.5 million visitors in 2024.

 Sources: The Broadway League, MTA, New York City Tourism + Conventions, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Tourism Economics, STR Data, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of State 

Vicky Karantzavelou

Vicky  is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the  Editor-in Chief . She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.

She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.

• Vicky Karantzavelou https://www.traveldailynews.com/author/vicky-karantzavelou/ Finnair temporarily suspends flights to Tartu due to GPS interference
• Vicky Karantzavelou https://www.traveldailynews.com/author/vicky-karantzavelou/ PriceTravel Holding joins Hotel Electronic Distribution Association (HEDNA)
• Vicky Karantzavelou https://www.traveldailynews.com/author/vicky-karantzavelou/ Shiji Enterprise Platform PMS is selected by Melco Resorts & Entertainment to power its digital transformation
• Vicky Karantzavelou https://www.traveldailynews.com/author/vicky-karantzavelou/ “With Women's Eyes”: Α new Suncruise forum in Cadiz highlights women's vision for blue tourism

Related posts

Previous post, singapore airlines to launch non-stop services to london gatwick in june 2024, ppa s.a.: the company concludes the year with two prestigious awards, diamond of the greek economy and true leader 2023.

“With Women’s Eyes”: Α new Suncruise forum in Cadiz highlights women’s vision for blue tourism

Cologne Convention Bureau presents relaunch of its website

Boostly and I-PRAC forge partnership to elevate trust in direct bookings for short-term rentals 

Gulf Air announces the resumption of its operations to the Republic of Iraq

Delta restarts service to Nigeria from New York-JFK, upgrades fleet for Ghana and South Africa service

Hard Rock International, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises announce global partnership

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr a success for Dubai hotels 

Highgate announces General Manager appointments to Hawaii portfolio

AltoVita welcomes Beverly King as Vice President of Client Partnerships

KLM unveils “Travel Well” to redefine the travel experience

Access Holidays & Events expands DMC Network’s reach into Morocco

SAS to join SkyTeam alliance

Way2VAT continues quarterly revenue increase as business scales and growth plans accelerate in multiple markets

British Airways celebrates 70 years of flying to Chicago

Anex Tour Poland expands presence at Katowice Airport

Bob W to launch fourth Tallinn aparthotel in heart of Arter Quarter business hub

Embraer plans to invest USD$390 million and create another 900 direct jobs this year in Brazil

Etihad’s A380 to say “bonjour” to Paris

H.E. Bin Touq and his Estonian counterpart explore potential avenues for expanding cooperation in tourism, aviation

2024 ASUTIL Conference programme announced

Edinburgh Airport expands Twilight check-in service

IGCAT’s World Food Gift Challenge awards 10 top products in Aseer

Jackson Hole’s iconic Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa reopens with Summer debut

Saudia launches Beta version of revolutionary digital platform

Aqua-Aston Hospitality debuts dual-branded Fairfield Inn & Suites and TownePlace Suites Hotels in Tempe, Arizona

European Cyclists’ Federation re-elects president and welcomes new and returning board members

Experts outline a promising future for the GCC hospitality sector, as the UAE market is forecasted to exceed US$7bn by 2026

Aviation leaders convened for the EUROCAE Symposium, marking a return to its birthplace in Lucerne

Alaska Airlines expands presence in Southern California with new routes and increased service to popular West Coast destinations

Macau becomes the “Preferred Destination” of European travel agents and Tour Operators for 2025

ACI Europe Annual Congress & General Assembly 2024

Hyatt reveals survey findings on the hotel stay needs of neurodivergent travelers

Delta Board of Directors welcomes Maria Black and Willie Chiang as newest members

New MMGY global study casts on the complexity of travel for families with neurodicerse children

Etihad’s A380 loves New York

CHTA opens applications for the Young Leaders Forum: Shaping tomorrow’s hospitality innovators

National Travel selects Sabre distribution network to help better serve Federal Government Agencies

Marriott International signs agreement with NEOM to bring the Ritz-Carlton Reserve to Trojena, the Mountains of NEOM

Next Generation security checkpoint screening goes live at Aberdeen International Airport

Mirai exceeds 5.8 million room nights and $1B TTV in 2023 and targets 20% growth in 2024 through direct hotel sales

Students Traveling with EF Educational Tours and EF Explore America going cashless through partnership with Till Financial’s fee-free app and debit card

Baptiste Caulonque appointed CEO of Pegasus Lodges

World of Hyatt elevates luxury portfolio by adding more than 700 boutique and luxury hotels and villas from Mr & Mrs Smith

Iain Andrew joins QuadLabs board as the Chairman and non-executive director April 25, 2024

Gulf Air introduces Guangzhou and Shanghai as its latest destinations

Oceania Cruises debuts new Mediterranean sailings for 2025

ACC Aviation has extended the exclusive marketing partnership with Freedom II

Secretary General advocates for the rule of international aviation law 

Avianca Airlines renews “Business Class” experience in Europe and Americas

Paradies Lagardère continues commitment to the communities it serves

Grand Hyatt Atlanta, in Buckhead unveils multi-phased 2024 renovation

Europalco transforms Portugal’s biggest venue into a spectacular sound show

Meeting & Event Barometer 2023/24: Ongoing upward trend in the German events market

Global Hotel Alliance’s report reveals what travellers want most from loyalty programmes

Carnival Cruise Line adds fifth new ship to fleet in 18 months

Why migration is no longer your only chance at a better life

Online gambling is cutthroat, thus casino rewards bonuses are key

SHR expands its Global Advisory Board, uniting industry leaders to strengthen innovation in the hospitality industry

Mastercard transforms the fight against scams with latest AI tech

Top eight leading hospitality and tourism jobs in 2024

Royal Caribbean Group reports record bookings for First Quarter 2024

What to do on a weekend in Tulum

Banyan Group releases 2023 Sustainability Report

Air Charter Service announces new Head of Swiss office

Revenues 12.8b and EBIT Adjusted 0.6b for Airbus in the First Quarter of 2024

Samana Developers launches Dh1 bn ‘Lake Views Complex’ in Dubai Production City

Air Serbia has carried a million passengers since the beginning of the year

UFI announces winners of 2024 Next Generation Leadership grant programme

Ottawa Tourism and The Hague & Partners celebrate five years of partnership with renewed agreement

Dangerous FAA amendment would undermine aviation security, delay millions of flyers, set TSA screening back decades

Hostaway launches Hostaway Capital in partnership with Parafin

Boeing reports First Quarter results: Revenue of $16.6 billion

airBaltic launches direct flights from Riga to Ljubljana

Embassy Suites by Hilton Deerfield Beach Resort & Spa unveils multi-million-dollar property renovation

Westward Look Resort & Spa announces Ryan Jones as Executive Chef

Shannon Airport set to reach the 2 million passenger mark by the end of 2024

CityDNA elects new leadership during “Reality Check!” International Conference

Icelandair announces Q1 financial results: Revenue increase of 11%, total income USD 259.0 million

TAAAG – Angola Airlines announces new 5-year contract with AFI KLM E&M on Boeing 777 pool and repair component support

Jamaican minister Edmund Bartlett challenges youth to be part of tourism

Paradero Todos Santos appoints new General Property Manager and Wedding Sales Manager

Record-breaking WTM Africa 2024 signals surging interest in African tourism

JetBlue elevates seamless living in the sky with Blueprint by JetBlue: A personalized inflight experience

Villas of Distinction reveals Q1 booking trends

art’otel opens the doors to its second London property in the heart of the neighborhood of Hoxton, Shoreditch

Nadia Panasyuk named Vice President of Revenue Strategy at First Hospitality

Hilton Grand Vacations unveils 2024 Brand Ambassadors to headline exclusive member experiences

Rethinking wellness travel: the rise of active well-being

Alvar: Newest luxury community delivers first residences at Quivira Los Cabos

The Moore opens in Miami

U.K. travellers lead the world in early 2025 holiday bookings

Unexpected layovers: Tips for tourists to survive the interim

BeCause partners with WTTC to advance more sustainable hotel operations

airBaltic introduces additional pop-up flights for Summer

Le Petit Hôtel Notre-Dame to open in Summer 2024 in Montreal

HOTEL de LEN becomes the first hotel in Cortina to obtain ClimaHotel Certification

G Adventures expands “Jane Goodall Collection” in honour of renowned environmentalist’s 90th birthday 

CEIR releases 2024 CEIR Index Report, continued growth forecast through 2026

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay reveal penthouse collection

Under the stars: Choosing the right camping tent for your adventure

Safety tips when visiting Dallas, TX – From a personal injury lawyer

Jannah Lamu, the new creation of Anna Trzebinski, is now open to guests

U.S. hotel development kicks off Q1 2024 with growth and record-highs

Accelerating airports’ climate action with ICAO

AI and booking systems top priorities for travel tech stacks

Hilton reports First Quarter results: Adjusted EBITDA was $750m., 29,800 new rooms approved for development

Valuedynamx partnership with Expedia Group drives 20% growth

Daniela Victoria promoted to Director of Sales ay luxury Anguilla resort Malliouhana

Knight Frank: 320,000 new hotel rooms expected in Saudi Arabia by 2030

Dream Vacations/CruiseOne treat top performers to a full ship charter aboard AmaWaterways AmaBella

Hilton announces dynamic executive leadership team at Waldorf Astoria New York

Record 2023 for Holibob on track to be broken

Wizz Air partners with InterLnkd to launch intelligent shopping platform

BEONx secures NextGenerationEU funding for Digital Transformation

Routes Europe officially handed over to 2025 hosts

intuitive launches most advanced version of iVector: extending enterprise power across the travel industry

Hilton announces 2023 Americas Development Award winners

JetBlue announces first Quarter 2024 results

Autograph Collection Hotels announces the opening of Hacienda del Mar Los Cabos, Autograph Collection

La Concha Key West announces Lilian Garapan as Director of Food & Beverage

ITM “Pulse Check” highlights current concerns for travel buyers

The Travel & Adventure Show Series concludes the 2024 season with a record-breaking year and successful new market launch

ONYX Hospitality Group runs UK sales mission to strengthen travel industry partnerships

Nikki Beach Global, evolves into Nikki Beach Hospitality Group ahead of the 2024 Summer season

Former Navan CRO returns as CEO of Navan Travel and Amy Butte of Sabre Fame joins Board

Cendyn’s World Tour kicks off in New York

Latest Booking.com sustainable travel data reveals ongoing challenges for consumers

Budapest Airport named Overall Winner at Routes Europe 2024 Awards

How visiting a spiritual retreat can transform your life from stress to Zen

Hilton expands Guadalajara portfolio with signing of Canopy by Hilton Guadalajara

Quicktext announces partnership with Mob Hotel Group

Merriweather Lakehouse Hotel welcomes Marketing Director Bridgette O’Neil

Hotel gossip creates career block for hospitality workers says study

The contribution of tourism to the Greek economy, 2019-2023

IAEE launches CEM Fellows Program

AHLA: DOL overtime rule will hurt hotels and limit employee opportunities

New Newcastle Aspire Lounge marks a world first in airport hospitality

Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort, Kenya to host World Travel Awards Africa Ceremony 2024

TUI Care Foundation launches new Destination Zero Waste Programme in Tunisia

“Wonder Italy” motorcycle trip to discover the most beautiful villages in Sicily

Volotea inaugurates its 20th base at Brest Bretagne Airport

The Resident Edinburgh appoints General Manager

ITA Airways: Direct flights from Rome Fiumicino to Africa and the Middle East in the 2024 summer season

Canada hotels record first transient occupancy increase in four months

Budapest Airport sees Xi’an return to route map

Pleasant Holidays, Journese add Poland, expanding Europe portfolio with hotels, flights and private tour options

Weekender chooses Mews to help fuel their rapid US growth

HSMAI takes commercial strategy to the next level with commercial effectiveness organizational assessment

Construction begins on Royal Caribbean’s first Royal Beach Club

Chris Phillips promoted to Chief Commercial Officer at ATPCO

Avianca reduces carbon emissions 21% in 2023, 2019 comparison

Boom appoints Hilton’s former President of Global Operations and Development as Chairman of new Advisory Board

hihotels by Hospitality International continues expansion with eight new properties

Ιndustry leaders gathered in Kigali for the UFI Middle East & Africa Conference

FPNA rebrands to Aruba Conservation Foundation

Salterra, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in Turks & Caicos, unveils website

The Club of Revenue Management by Radisson Hotel Group expands its global reach and extends its services to Sales, M&E, Voice, and Web optimization

The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco announces the return of the Solaire Terrasse

d.HOLIDAY: Diaverum’s holiday dialysis programme launches in Greece

TUI Musement powering loveholidays Tours & Activities offering as OTA launches thousands of experiences for holidaymakers

A year since launch, Global Hotel Alliance’s Green Collection adds hotels, builds awareness and adoption

The Conscious Travel Foundation, Weeva and BOUTECO launch Conscious Questions, a resource for tourism businesses

Skyscanner announces first global sports sponsorship

limehome hits new heights with 6,800 apartments

The Bellezza 24 itinerary, the guide created by Confcommercio Marche Nord, arrives at Palazzo Madama in Rome.

NYC Tourism in 2024: 5 Key Insights Driving City Life This Year

These recent tourism insights and stats reveal that the city that never sleeps is on the brink of returning to pre-pandemic levels..

Welcome to the vibrant streets of New York City, where the allure of the Big Apple beckons travelers from around the globe. In the year 2024, the pulse of NYC beats stronger than ever, fueling a dynamic and thriving landscape. 

Want to know the latest? Let’s dive into the bustling energy of NYC in 2024 and discover how it's continuing to captivate the hearts of visitors worldwide.

5 Key Tourism Insights Driving NYC

• New York City expects to welcome an estimated 64.5 million tourists, with an 81% domestic and 19% international split.  ‍
• The tourism industry currently supports 380,000 jobs across the five boroughs and thousands of small and minority-owned businesses. ‍
• Restaurant development surpassed pre-pandemic levels last year, with openings topping the 2022 level by 10% to set an all-time expansion record, according to data compiled by the Yelp online dining guide. ‍

• NYC nightlife was responsible for a direct economic impact of 196,000 jobs and $19.1 billion in economic output. Bars in particular boasted a five-year annualized growth rate that outpaced the nightlife industry as a whole. ‍
• Cab ridership in NYC has experienced a notable rebound since the onset of the 2020 pandemic, growing by 1,094% in recent years. In fact, approximately 13,000 yellow cabs traverse the city streets. ‍ ‍

Taxis are a quintessential part of the city’s bustling landscape and they’re as recognizable as the Statue of Liberty. These iconic vehicles offer a convenient and reliable mode of transportation for both residents and visitors alike, providing an alternative to public transit and other rideshare services.

New York City's tourism industry is poised for a remarkable return this year. This return to bustling streets and packed attractions not only revitalizes the tourism sector, but also fuels the city's economy, supporting countless jobs and small businesses across all five boroughs. ‍ ‍

Get Around the Big Apple Easily With Curb

Whether you're navigating the city's bustling streets or embarking on a sightseeing adventure, having access to reliable transportation is essential for making the most of your time in NYC.

With Curb you can easily hail a cab through the app and get around town with ease. Curb is the #1 taxi app in the US, connecting you to fast, convenient, and safe rides across the country.

Ready to ride?

Related stories

Exploring Chicago in 2024: Embracing Top Travel Trends with Curb

Discover what's been trending this year in Chicago and use Curb to get around the Windy City.

Fleet Spotlight: Curb Expands Dispatch Solutions in North Carolina

In an exciting development, Curb is thrilled to onboard two new fleets onto Curb's fleet software solutions – Taxi Taxi of Raleigh and Yellow Cab of Charlotte.

Curb Flow API Launches, Transforming Ride-Demand Sources for Drivers

We’re excited to announce the launch of Curb Flow. This innovative API offering is set to significantly improve drivers' income opportunities and create a seamless experience for riders.

Discover How Curb is Modernizing Mobility at IATR 2023

Curb is a proud sponsor of the 36th Annual Conference of the International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR), dedicated to transforming the way people navigate...

The Curb Health Difference: Bridging the Gap in Non-Emergency Medical Transportation

In today's fast-paced world, secure and reliable transportation is nothing short of a lifeline for caregivers, healthcare professionals, and non-emergency medical...

Curb Shifts Gears with Upgraded App Features

Transportation is always changing, and that’s why we are too. With multiple ride options and flexibility, Curb strives to provide the best experience...

Vaccine Mandate For TLC Drivers

We are writing to bring your attention to the Health Order announced by the Mayor Bill de Blasio and issued on December 13, 2021...

Curb App’s Upfront Fares Make Taxi’s Cheaper than Uber & Lyft in New York City

Curb’s Upfront Fares with Uber & Lyft’s Upfront Fares.

Consumer “Curb eHail” Requests Reach Highest Levels Ever in NYC

With almost half of the New York City population being fully vaccinated, steps have been taken in recent weeks to re-open the city for residents and tourists.

• Last Updated On
• June 10, 2023

New York City Visitor Statistics and Tourism Figures 2022

Considered one of the greatest cities on the planet and most certainly one of the most famous, New York City is known for its exclusive shops, legendary Broadway performances and landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building, not to mention the plethora of celebs and socialites that call the Big Applehome.

Both international and domestic tourism play a big part in the success of New York City, but just how big is this part? We took a look at UK tourism and travel stats in the big city, and have rounded up all the facts and figures to need to know.

Key New York City Visitor Statistics

• New York City is the number one US city that Brits want to visit.
• In 2019, New York City attracted 66.6 million visitors from across the globe, keeping a tenth-consecutive annual record.
• Tourists in New York City account for over 25% of all tourists in the entire state of New York.
• When the pandemic hit at the start of 2020, the number of people looking to fly domestically to New York City plummeted by almost 80% .

New York City Tourism: How Many Brits Want to Visit?

Pre-pandemic, New York City enjoyed a record number of tourists thanks to enthusiastic Brits , claiming the title of sixth most visited city in the world in 2018.

But can the Big Apple expect to enjoy the privilege of British tourism for years to come? It’s all well and good finding out how many Brits have visited New York City in the past, but we wanted to find out just how many Brits want to visit New York City, as well as other large US cities, in the future.

So in November 2021 we used Censuswide to ask 2,000 Brits:

“ Which of the following US cities would you most like to visit (pick up to 3)?”

We gave respondents a list of the top 25 largest US cities by population, with the options to specify any others or state that they don’t want to visit any.

This is what we found:

As you can see from the chart above:

• New York City is the most popular choice of US city when it comes to prospective British tourism, with close to half ( 41.3%) of Brits saying they would like to visit the city sometime.
• This is closely followed by Los Angeles and Las Vegas , which take the interests of around a quarter of prospective British tourists.

Which Demographics Want to Visit New York City the Most?

We found some variations in potential British visitors to NYC in gender as well as age, and wanted to look at these distinctions to see if anything popped out. Is the big city more popular with men or with women, with young people or older folk?

Here is what we found from our figures:

The desire to travel to NYC appears to be more common in women than in men, though over a third of both genders admit to wanting to visit the Big Apple ( 36.09% of men and 45.59% of women).

Statistics show that the state of New York has a more populous number of women living there than men, with 94 men for every 100 women, giving the state (and by extension the city, since all 5 counties in NYC also have low gender ratios) a lower gender ratio than the national average for the US. So it’s no wonder more women want to visit as well!

The breakdown by age group is as follows:

• The group that seems most enthused at the idea of visiting the Big Apple are the 25-34 year olds, with almost 50% giving it as one of their top three US cities to visit.
• The younger age groups appear more interested in visiting New York City overall – whether this is because older age groups have already been to NYC so they no longer want to go, or because they’re just not interested is unclear from just these results, but we can safely say that young people are the future of tourism in New York !
• Just under a third (31.52%) of 55+ year olds want to visit New York City, as opposed to over a third of every other age group putting NYC as one of their top 3 US cities to visit.

Official New York City Visitor Numbers Over the Years

Looking at data from NYC & Company , we can see figures covering the state of the tourism industry in New York City going back to the 90s, as well as some in-depth figures from the last few years.

We’ve pulled together the data on international and domestic visitors to the New York City from 1991 onwards, to take a look at how the numbers have changed over the years.

Looking at this chart, we can see that:

• The total number of visitors to New York City has increased steadily over the years since 1991, with only small dips in 2001 and 2009 when recessions took place, as well as in 2020 when the COVID 19 pandemic took place and restrictions were put in place.
• In 2020 , the total number of visitors to NYC dropped 67% to 22.3 million .
• Dips in the number of international tourists took place in 1995, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2009, in line with recessions over the years.
• Dips in the number of domestic tourists took place in 1995, 2000 and 2009, in line with recessions over the years.

How Much Do Tourists Typically Spend in New York City?

Once again using data on yearly visitor spending in NYC from NYC & Company , we can see how spending has drastically increased, quadrupling from 1991 up to 2018.

As you can see from the chart:

• In 1991, the total visitor spending in NYC was 10.1 billion USD.
• In 2018 this skyrocketed up to 44 billion USD.
• Looking at the rate of inflation in 2022, $10.1 billion would be around $21 billion. Which is still a large leap in spending over the years, but not quite as dramatic as it appears.
• There were dips in spending in 2001, 2002 and 2009, in line with US recessions.

Visitors from all over the world flock to New York City to take in the iconic sights, eat at the best restaurants in NYC , and visit attractions seen in movies and tv shows. But do some tourists typically spend more money than others?

In the graph above that shows the number of visitors both internationally and domestically in New York City, we can see that international tourists typically are less common in NYC than domestic tourists, but regardless of the number of visitors, it’s the money that helps things stay afloat when it comes to attractions and businesses. And it can certainly be said that visitors from overseas spend more than domestic visitors, with the spending of one international tourist generally being equivalent to that of four domestic tourists!

How Many Hotel Rooms Are In New York City?

Data from a 2020 Department of City Planning Report (NYC Hotel Market Analysis) tells us the number of hotel rooms in New York City year by year as they have grown with the tourist and travel industry.

This is what it tells us:

As we can see from the graph:

• The number of hotel rooms in NYC has increased steadily over the years, with 72,600 rooms in 2006
• This has increased to 127,800 hotel rooms in 2020.

As the city’s tourism industry and number of guests both domestically and internationally has risen over the years, so too has the number of hotel rooms available to said guests.

Airbnb, the award-winning online marketplace for lodging, dominates the short-term rental market in the city, creating an extra hotel market for those with the app. New York City gives Airbnb its largest US market, with about 50,000 Airbnb listings in the city . Data for Airbnb listings is not as readily available as more traditional hotels, but listings in the short-term rental market did decline 11% through September 2020.

The top 10 countries for tourism spending in New York City in 2019 are as follows:

According to figures from NYC & Company , the United Kingdom has historically been the top foreign source of visitors to NYC thanks to strong currency exchange rates over the years, which has allowed more people to go and visit the city even if the UK hasn’t always had the highest average visitor spending per person than other countries.

New York City Tourism Statistics in Search

If we want to find out anything these days whether that be peoples’ opinions on something, where they’d most like to go or even the state of their health, there is one place we can go to for a reliable picture: Google! Millions of us take to the search engine every single day to ask anything and everything about our lives, so we harnessed this power to learn about how people are searching for things relating to travel to New York City.

We used Google Trends and kwfinder.com to find out trending and search volumes over the last few years for a few different phrases that may be searched by someone wishing to travel to NYC.

Here is what we found:

This chart shows high volumes of all three searches, before the noticeable drop indicating the COVID 19 pandemic and the lockdown that was imposed, when travel was prohibited. Since then the numbers appear to have been rising slowly, with a couple of large spikes in 2021 which indicate that people are rearing to get back to New York City for the trip of a lifetime as soon as they are able.

• ‘ Hotels in new york city ’ is clearly the most popular search, though the others mirror the increases and decreases in search volumes at similar times, with dips for all three terms at the beginning of 2020 during the first lockdown, and rises in 2021.
• Searches for ‘hotels in new york city’ took a big hit with a decrease of nearly 80% between February 2020 to April 2020.
• The search term ‘flights to new york city’ had a sudden spike in searches, going from 33,100 in February 2020 to 74,000 in March 2020, before dropping lower.
• This could be due to people trying to get last minute flights before the lockdown was enacted, or trying to get home to NYC before they would be unable to do so.

Post-Pandemic New York City Visitor Statistics

Looking at the numbers in 2020 may feel daunting, and the pandemic may have caused irreparable damage to the hotel industry globally. But looking at the steadily rising figures in 2021, and with the numbers continuing to do so – albeit slowly – in 2022, we are reassured that not all is lost. Whether it’s single travelers searching for a new experience, or parents interested in the best NYC hotels for families , once travel is feasible and the city is running as previous in the near future, it will be booming with tourists and life as we all know and love it once more.

Research & Resources

Explore the wealth of travel intelligence and educational opportunities offered by NYC Tourism + Conventions.

Public Reports & Insights

Tourism Ready Classes

Media Library

About our research department.

Our dedicated team is committed to providing valuable insights and intelligence that can help businesses thrive. Whether you're a hotel, restaurant, attraction, or other type of travel- and tourism-related enterprise, the Research Unit at New York City Tourism + Conventions is here to support your success. Let us help you stay ahead of the curve and make the most of all that NYC has to offer.

We deploy a suite of forecasting and statistical tracking models to inform marketing and strategic planning decisions. These tools help position the local travel and tourism industry in terms of market size, growth and sustainability, challenges and opportunities and traveler affinity for NYC.

Members Only Research

Read our reports for updates on all aspects of the travel and tourism industry in NYC.

Our members-only dashboard covers a range of key travel and tourism indicators.

Learn more about our organization and how travel and tourism work for the five boroughs.

The Research Unit at New York City Tourism + Conventions is your primary resource for travel and tourism intel about inbound visitation to NYC.

Meet Our Research Team

Connect with our staff at New York City Tourism + Conventions to gain valuable knowledge about the travel and tourism industry in NYC.

We maintain a library of high-quality images, videos and B-roll of New York City for noncommercial promotional use by the media, as well as meeting and travel professionals. Our assets are available for download in multiple high-quality digital formats following a brief registration.

Tourism Ready

Our Tourism Ready program gives local business the tools to work with the travel trade.

Our collection of webinars will help you learn all about the five boroughs from wherever you are.

Get in Touch

Our team is always ready to help with your inquiries. Connect with us today.

Research & Insights

Do you know the top New York city trends?

• December 4, 2020
• by Tracy Burrows

Explore now...

Explore new york.

New York City’s personalised travel service allows visitors to ‘live like a local’ and shares 9 New York trends for you to discover…

With New York attracting more than 60 million tourists each year, this innovative service replaces biased reviews, recommendations and time-consuming web research with efficient, personal itineraries created with tried and tested insider knowledge not found in any guidebook or online.

LOCALIKE New York is the brainchild of Manhattanite Andreas Leuzinger, after planning countless trips for his friends in the city, Andreas was inspired to launch LOCALIKE New York.

“Receiving advice from locals has always been a cherished travel resource,” outlines Leuzinger. “We are able to decode the city’s DNA for visitors who may not be familiar with, or who may want to see a different side of the city. We have our finger on the pulse of the real New York City.”

The experts at LOCALIKE are well-travelled, with local insider information at their fingertips to provide unusual recommendations, exclusive access and opportunities to meet the people that make the city tick. With this in mind, here are the top 9 trends:

• Shopping – increased product customisation and experiences.
• Restaurant – new Japanese dining concepts are hitting the city.
• Entertainment – immersive theatre.
• Authenticity – exploring neighborhoods untouched by tourism.
• Real Estate – reinventing Manhattan’s West Side.
• Broadway – taking it online!
• Food trends – sweet treats continuously get more inventive and exclusive.
• Day trips – New York is rediscovering its beaches.
• NYC’s waters – repurposed barges attract New Yorkers.

Shopping – increased product customisation and experiences

Across a wide range of products, NYC will see an increased trend towards customisation including personalised stationery, tailored jeans and bespoke lipstick colors created during a personal consultation with Bite Beauty Lip Lab New York. You can create a unique, individualised lipstick shade or visit 3×1 for bespoke jeans, designed and fitted in a choice of more than 70 different denim fabrics from across the world.

And now, Lip Lab launched “At Home”, a digital service by BITE during COVID19 to create custom lipstick   from the comfort of your home.

With experiential retail concepts in New York (Soho and Brooklyn), California (Orange Country), and Canada (Toronto), beauty aficionados can book appointments to create their perfect shade, add a scent, pick a finish, and engrave their lip stick cap with the help of a “Color Expert.”

Entertainment – immersive theatre

A steady trend has been the unique play, in which for a small audience group, the lines between fiction and reality are blurred. A recent and truly terrifying version is “ This Is Real” , where in a mix of escape room and theatre, the audience has been kidnapped and needs to break free in creative ways.

Alternatively a venue of choice is The Escape Game New York City considered a top-tier venue where adventures stage like Hollywood Blockbusters with twists, turns and startling suprsises.

Authenticity – exploring neighborhoods untouched by tourism

New York City and Manhattan, in particular, has been optimised for tourists, however experiences frequently remain interchangeable. Therefore, particular individualist travelers are seeking out neighborhoods that are authentic melting pot communities such as Jackson Heights in Queens.

Then, Williamsburg’s spirit of creativity made it a popular destination that remains one of its most powerful draws.

Brighton Beach, the Brooklyn neighborhood is known for its tight-knit, Russian-speaking community and the colorful shops, food emporiums and restaurants. that line Brighton Beach Avenue beneath the rumble of the elevated subway lines.  

Real Estate – reinventing Manhattan’s West Side

Hudson Yards is the largest private real estate development in the history of the United States. At a cost of US$20 billion, a completely new area is being developed on Manhattan’s West Side that will combine state of the art shopping, dining, and culture.  A new observation deck 75 floors up will top the Empire State Building’s deck by 50 feet (15 meters). A sculpture called “The Vessel” is predicted to become the “Eiffel Tower of New York City.” The accessible structure designed by British architect Thomas Heatherwick has 154 interlocking stairways consisting of a total of 2,500 steps.

Broadway – Stream Your Favorite Broadway Hits! Anytime, Anywhere!

Due to Covid19 Broadway Theatre is closed until June 2021. But eager Broadway fans can stream Broadway shows via www.broadwayhd.com

A Doll House

A Doll’s House, Nora Helmer, having fraudulently borrowed money to save her husband, is forced to reveal her secret and, in doing so, reassess her life as it stands.

A Killer Party

When Varthur McArthur invites his troupe of disgruntled actors and collaborators to the first read of an “immersive murder mystery dinner party,” no one knew that he would be the victim. Or did they? Sifting through lies and red herrings and a truly baffling murder mystery script left by the deceased, Detective Case vows to find the truth.

Winner of 5 Tony Awards, Pippin is a Broadway musical that is not only a contemporary classic but also the play that made director choreographer Bob Fosse a famous name long before Cabaret and All That Jazz.

Present Laughter

Noel Coward’s totally-irresistible and semi-autobiographical comedy follows a self-obsessed actor in the midst of a mid-life crisis. Freely indulging his considerable appetite for wine, women and sleeping late, the theatre’s favorite leading man suddenly finds himself caught between fawning ingénues, crazed playwrights, and secret trysts. 

Food trends – sweet treats continuously get more inventive and exclusive

Bakeries are popping up right and left, many with innovative creations such as a charcoal meringue squid-ink brioche. At the same time, increased attention is being paid to desserts. A dessert-only-restaurant recently opened, and a two Michelin stars restaurant serving a 5-course dessert tasting menu.

Old-fashioned rice pudding has been reinvented at SoHo’s tongue-in-cheek  Rice to Riches , where flavors range from “coconut coma” to “almond shmalmond”; it’s super-filling, so even the “solo” size is best to share.

Day trips – New York is rediscovering its beaches

New York City’s coastline— which stretches a total of 520 miles and is longer than the coastlines of Miami, Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco combined– has a wealth of beautiful beaches. These have lately received a hipster makeover with taco eateries and tiki bars.

NYC’s waters – repurposed barges attract New Yorkers

More and more converted and repurposes barges have drawn New Yorkers to the piers in Manhattan and Brooklyn. What started with a fancy Oyster bar has been picked up by alternative eateries and even inspired a barge with a little orchard.

Tap into these trends with a LOCALIKE New York Personal itinerary . For more information please go on the LOCALIKE website www.localike-newyork.com

LOCALIKE decodes the city’s complex DNA and shows facets that are not described in any travel guide. Straightforward. Direct. Uncomplicated.

The process is simple: travellers complete a profile on LOCALIKE’s website in 15-20 minutes, highlighting their preferences and interests during their time in the city. Within five business days, LOCALIKE’s local experts will create a personalised itinerary.

Recognising the time-sensitive needs of business travellers, a fast-turn around service is also available upon request to see a completed profile returned in two working days. Each in-depth and comprehensive Trip Planner includes bespoke advice on the most up-to-date and off the beaten path sights, launches and events. These can be tailored geographically around the visitor’s city hub for ease of time and transportation.

Travel with confidence because it suits you best, with our recommended travel resources:

Join the greatest British Columbia wilderness exploration

• November 24, 2020

The most Popular Scandinavia heritage food

• January 13, 2021
• About The Author
• More From The Author

Tracy Burrows 118 Posts

Exploring the Past: Bangalore to Hampi Heritage Tour

• December 15, 2023

Chopta’s Enchanted Pathways: Trekking Through Nature’s Wonderland

• December 14, 2023

Riding into History: Exploring Egypt’s Kingdom on Horseback

• November 7, 2023

Papua New Guinea tribal and photography capital of South Pacific

• August 22, 2023

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Welcome! Login in to your account

Don't have account. Register

Lost Password

Back to Login

Privacy Overview

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The biggest travel trends for 2024

By Sarah Allard

If 2022 was all about a return to travel, then 2023 was the year we went further than ever before. Travellers took to the skies, rails, roads and seas to tick off major bucket-list moments, with Arctic adventures, luxury yacht cruises and even the first tourist trip into space .

In 2024, travellers will be putting what’s important to them front and centre of their plans, valuing deeper experiences that leave a positive impact, time spent with loved ones and wellness moments that last well after checkout. We’ll be choosing destinations carefully, slowing it down to enjoy the silence and the stars, indulging in our love of food in new and interesting places, and immersing ourselves in wellness practices that help us live longer.

These are the 20 travel trends likely to guide how we see the world in 2024.

Astro tourism

1. Astro tourism

What’s the trend? Astronomy, of course, is a field of study that has been around since the dawn of civilisation, and the act of gazing up at the stars has long been a source of soul-soothing wonder. Today, the more society falls deeper into an ever-expanding virtual world, the more we feel a need to broaden our horizons in the real universe. Astro tourism, or star bathing, is the act of travelling with the aim of catching sight of astronomical phenomena – disappearing to lands devoid of any pollution, crowds and traffic, where we can focus solely on the skies above and while away hours gazing at the stars, planets and constellations overhead.

Why will it matter in 2024? Increasingly, wellness-centric hotels and spas are creating the space for guests to gaze upwards, watching for comets, spying constellations and identifying patterns in the glittering expanse. In the UK, Port Lympne has opened the Lookout Bubble, a glass dome allowing guests to sprawl out on king-sized beds and study the stars. Further east on the Arabian Gulf, Zulal Wellness Resort is surrounded by the expanse of the Qatari desert – the ultimate destination for pollution-free astromancy, with dedicated workshops and stargazing sessions for families and children looking to learn more about the cosmos. Safari company Desert & Delta organises trips for travellers looking to soak up the stars across Botswana and Namibia, where guests can sleep in tents at remote locations such as the Makgadikgadi Pans, one of the world’s largest salt flats, and spend nights with uninterrupted star vistas. Similarly, Tswalu is a South African safari camp with star beds set on a sleep-out deck in the Korannaberg mountains. And 2024 happens to be a big year, astronomy-wise, from mind-boggling eclipses to spectacular meteor showers – plus, scientists are predicting the best displays of the northern lights in 20 years, according to the Guardian , as we approach the next solar maximum (the sun’s peak of its 11-year activity cycle). Olivia Morelli

2. Eco diving

What’s the trend? A rise in divers choosing their travel destinations based on the sustainability of the scuba centres, and having a more positive, regenerative impact on the ocean once there.

Why will it matter in 2024? In 2022, UK marine ecology charity The Reef-World Foundation found that 95 per cent of divers wanted to book with sustainable operators, but struggled to do so. In response to this, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (Padi) launched its Eco Center accreditation on World Earth Day (22 April) 2023, with the United Nations Environment Program and Reef-World itself. The steps required to earn this green status are so rigorous – including sharing evidence of conservation activities and a real reduction in environmental footprint – that Padi advised operators to allow at least 12 months to hit the criteria, taking us to… Earth Day 2024. After an initial figure of just 11 worldwide, there are now 100, and Padi has set a goal to reach 660 by 2030 – a 10th of its membership. “South East Asia currently has the highest density (more than 20), along with the Caribbean ,” says Julie Andersen of Padi. So what does this mean for divers and their trips? “The type of conservation work done and reported on depends on the Eco Center,” Andersen explains. “Those in the Caribbean offer coral replanting programmes, key for regenerating coastlines. In Baja, Mexico , they’ve developed citizen science courses, collecting data for whale conservation.” There are also a number of new Padi courses being launched for any diver to take anywhere, including the Global Shark and Ray Census in August 2024, as well as the relaunch of the Coral Reef Conservation Specialty course before December. Becky Lucas

3. Home swapping

What’s the trend? Increasingly, discerning travellers are looking to stay away for longer stretches, while the rise of remote jobs post-pandemic means that working and living abroad has never been more appealing. The catch? Forking out on hefty accommodation fees while you’re at it. Enter home swapping: the perfect solution to guarantee yourself a (free) home abroad while you offer up your own in exchange – for weeks or even months at a time.

Why will it matter in 2024? As the cost of holidaying continues to climb, home swapping is an affordable alternative to splashing out on expensive hotels or Airbnbs. And while the concepts of couch surfing and house exchanges have existed for decades, several slick new platforms are redefining what home swapping looks like today. Twin City, which operates in cities as far-flung as Lisbon and Los Angeles , has curated a community of 1,100 plus carefully vetted users in just eight months. For an annual subscription fee of £150, members can find Twins to connect with through the platform, and are encouraged to exchange local recommendations for their city as well as their homes, enabling members to feel as if they’re swapping with a trusted friend rather than a stranger. Meanwhile, Kindred, a home-swapping platform where members rack ​​up credits for each night that they exchange homes, raised $15 million in funding this year to expand operations across the USA and Europe, and currently has 10,000 plus homes in more than 50 cities. Members simply pay a cleaning and service fee for each stay, while the cost of the stay itself is free. Or skip out on membership fees entirely and head straight to TikTok, where Gen Z appears to be spearheading the home-swapping movement on social media. Inspired by cult film The Holiday , trending tags #houseswap and #homeswap have garnered more than 23 and 20 million views respectively, with users utilising the platform as a means to advertise their homes, discover like-minded peers to swap with and document their adventures along the way. Gina Jackson

4. Train stations are the new food destinations

What’s the trend? Train stations around the world are usually passed through as quickly as possible, having not been designed for commuters to stay and hang out. Nowadays, as travel delays increase and visitors want more local experiences, it pays for train stations to welcome travellers with shops, restaurants and bars for them to explore. In an effort to create a more dynamic visitor experience, historic train stations are being revamped, with bespoke food and drink offerings as an integral part of the redesign.

Why will it matter in 2024? As train stations are renovated to accommodate more travellers and update old infrastructure, local restaurants and bars are being added to attract more customers. In 2023, the new Moynihan Train Hall in New York City became home to The Irish Exit, a bar from the team behind the acclaimed Dead Rabbit, and Yono Sushi by trendy BondST, plus outposts of beloved NYC restaurants Pastrami Queen and Jacob’s Pickles, with Mexican hotspot La Esquina coming soon.  Platform 1 a new bar and restaurant that opened in November underneath Glasgow Central Station . The cave-like space, with its historic brick arches, serves street-food-style dishes and craft brews made in the on-site microbrewery, plus there’s an outdoor beer garden. As part of its renovation, Toronto’s Union Station launched Union Market in May 2023 with favourite local food retailers Manotas Organics, Chocolatta Brigadeiro’s, Patties Express and Kibo. Meanwhile, in Somerset, Castle Cary station is in the process of a revamp, with nearby hotel The Newt creating a creamery, cafe and co-working space, which is set to open in 2024. Also on tap for the next few years is the completed renovation of 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, with plans for a 20 per cent increase in concession space that will focus on local purveyors. Devorah Lev-Tov

5. Sports tourism

What’s the trend? No longer the domain of lads on tour keen to sink as many pints as possible with one eye on a football game, sports tourism has evolved in the past few years with a new generation – and type – of sports fan emerging thanks to glossy TV documentaries ( Formula 1: Drive to Survive , we’re looking at you). Now, we’re taking our fandom out of the house and following a host of different sports in destinations across the world, planning holidays that hinge around seeing games, races and other activities in exotic locales, and extending trips on either side to see the sights too.

Why will it matter in 2024? A little event known as the Olympic and Paralympic Games anchors the 2024 sports calendar. It kicks off in Paris in late July and runs until early September , during which time more than a million tourists are expected to check in across the French capital. The games have inspired city-wide projects such as the €1.4-billion clean-up of the Seine, which , all going well, will allow public swimming in the river for the first time in a century. Elsewhere, the Tour de France starts in Italy for the first time in 2024, with competitors speeding off in Florence before heading to Rimini on the Adriatic coast and then north to the Apennines through Emilia-Romagna. New bike routes in the area have been released by tour operators such as Ride International Tours and Ride Holidays for cycling enthusiasts keen to join in the fun. Sarah James

6. Coolcationing

What’s the trend? For the vast majority of folk, summer holidays used to be about following the sun, seeking the heat – watching the mercury climb and hitting the sands. With the intense, record-breaking temperatures of recent years, however, many are considering travelling in the opposite direction: booking "coolcations" in temperate destinations, which also benefit from being less crowded.

Why will it matter in 2024? Rising temperatures caused by the climate crisis have resulted in the hottest recorded summer in the UK – just over 40℃ in July 2022 – while 2023, with a sweltering summer in much of Mediterranean Europe, North America and China – is on track to be the hottest year ever. Little wonder that many travellers are thinking again before booking literal hotspots such as the South of France and Sicily in July or August. A survey for luxe travel network Virtuoso found that 82 per cent of its clients are considering destinations with more moderate weather in 2024. Destinations such as Iceland, Finland and Scotland, according to Intrepid Travel, along with Latvia, which is surging in popularity. “We’re seeing an increase in those holidaying further north,” says Andrea Godfrey of Regent Holidays. “Scandinavia and the Baltics are both getting noticed more: they offer a more pared-back style of holiday but have some lovely beaches, and forests and lakes for both relaxation and adventure activities.” Cooler temperatures are particularly well suited to family travel too. “We’re getting far more enquiries from families for destinations that offer summer sun but also respite from the high temperatures being experienced in beach resorts across the Med,” says Liddy Pleasants, founder of family specialist Stubborn Mule Travel. “Kayaking in Norway, with its midnight sun, for instance, and cycling or hiking in Slovenia, which is also very good value.” Time to ditch the SPF50… Rick Jordan

Gig tripping

7. Gig tripping

What’s the trend? For years, athletes and wellness gurus were the big headliners at retreats. But rock stars are, well, the new rock stars of travel. Call it the Swift Effect. Destination concert business is up more than 50 per cent, led mostly by Taylor Swift, says Janel Carnero, a travel advisor at Embark Beyond. In the USA, tickets for Swift’s Eras Tour cost thousands and were still impossible to score. Music fans are realising they can pay less and have a more memorable experience by seeing their favourite pop icons perform in say, Amsterdam or Milan . Tours from performers such as Pearl Jam, U2, Doja Cat and Madonna will anchor trip itineraries, while music festivals (Glastonbury sold out in less than an hour) will be major catalysts for travel.

Why will it matter in 2024? New music festivals, including Untold in Romania's Cluj-Napoca, are introducing travellers to undiscovered destinations, says Alexandrea Padilha of Fischer Travel. And it’s no longer just about the music, says Carnero. “It’s the social aspect of sharing experiences with friends,” she adds. Hotels and travel companies have taken note and are creating the equivalent of backstage VIP experiences for guests. Global adventure collective Eleven has recently introduced Music with Eleven. The programme’s dedicated team of music-industry insiders (including Chris Funk, guitarist from the Decemberists) custom design itineraries that might include sitting in on a recording session at Flóki Studios, just outside the Arctic Circle at Deplar Farm in Iceland. And Rhythm & Sails hosts musicians on its catamarans. The company’s music director, Anders Beck of the jam band Greensky Bluegrass, curates the line-up of artists who perform sessions onboard and in ports as you island hop around the Caribbean . Jen Murphy

8. Resorts will help you biohack your health span

What’s the trend? Longevity is the latest wellness buzzword thanks to best-selling books such as  Outlive  and the hit Netflix documentary  Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones . Between 2021 and 2022, venture-capital investment in longevity clinics more than doubled from $27 million to $57 million globally, according to analysis from longevity research and media company Longevity.Technology. Now, the science of extending life and optimising health has become the focus at hotels. Blue Zones retreats are the new boot camps and even sybaritic resorts are offering the latest biohacks. Poolside vitamin IV anyone?

Why will it matter in 2024? Since the pandemic, feeling good trumps looking good. “People have become aware of the critical importance of developing a more proactive, preventive approach to health on all levels,” says Karina Stewart, co-founder of Kamalaya, a wellness retreat in Koh Samui, Thailand . This means a new willingness to go beyond diet and exercise and embrace sci-fi-sounding bio-regenerative treatments such as ozone therapy and hyperbaric oxygen chambers, both on offer at Kamalaya's new Longevity House. Luxury hotel brands are embracing the trend too. Six Senses Ibiza recently teamed up with biotech company RoseBar to offer guests full diagnostic testing. Maybourne Hotel Group is collaborating with wellness tech pioneer Virtusan to help guests boost performance. And Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea administers treatments such as stem cells and NAD+ (aka the fountain of youth) through its partnership with Next Health longevity centre. At 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay in Kauai, guests are welcomed with a B12 shot instead of bubbles and the resort’s new wellness-specific rooms come with recovery-boosting mod cons including infrared light mats. If the trend continues, the secret to longevity may be as easy as taking more holidays. Jen Murphy

9. Peak season gets the cold shoulder

What's the trend? There’s been a dramatic recent increase in shoulder season travel to Europe’s most popular destinations (particularly France , Spain , the UK and Italy ), which is set to continue in 2024. Luxury travel specialists Original Travel has launched new shoulder season itineraries to locations traditionally in demand during the summer – including the crystalline seascapes of Sardinia and Corsica – after seeing 14 per cent more bookings for September 2023 than for August 2023. Pegi Amarteifio of Small Luxury Hotels of the World shares similar insights. “Comparing phone reservations in 2023 against 2019, we’ve seen a 33 per cent increase for March to May and a 58 per cent increase for September to November , a pattern reflected across our other booking channels too.”

Why will it matter in 2024? A combination of social, economic and environmental factors is driving this trend into 2024. The cost of living crisis means a heightened focus on value. For 62 per cent of respondents to Booking.com’s 2024 travel trends survey, this is a limiting factor for 2024 travel planning, so much so that 47 per cent of respondents are even willing to take children out of school for cheaper off-peak travel. Shoulder season travel is also becoming more attractive due to rising temperatures, and more feasible due to flexible working. Layered on top of these practical considerations is an emotional motivation too: travellers are craving authenticity more than ever, seeking a tranquil, local feel when abroad, rather than Where’s Wally beach scenes. Toyo Odetunde

10. Private group travel

What’s the trend? The post-pandemic desire to gather friends or family and embark on a shared holiday experience shows no sign of abating – in fact, it’s on the increase in luxury travel, as people appreciate the benefits and savour the moment, from 3G family groups to 50-something empty-nesters keen to rekindle life-long friendships. Just don’t take Succession ’s family outing to Tuscany as a role model.

Why will it matter in 2024? “While some predicted group travel would peak post-pandemic, we’ve seen it have a lasting, positive impact with private group bookings continuing to be a dominant trend,” says Tom Marchant of Black Tomato, for whom group travel now accounts for 30 per cent of bookings. The company has just launched its See You in the Moment series to cater for the demand: it uses a mood board of over 35 experiences themed around key flash points, from The Meal (a backcountry feast served on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, for example) to The Challenge (rafting down the Apurímac in Peru, perhaps), all designed to create lasting memories. For Scott Williams, meanwhile, multi-generational travellers are thinking big: why take one house when you can take a whole estate, such as Meli on Paxos in the Greek Islands, which sleeps 17? Other groups are taking to the water, with Red Savannah reporting an increase in bookings for Turkish gulets, Egyptian dahabiyas and Indonesian phinisis. Scott Dunn have seen an increase in bookings amongst groups of friends, with 30 per cent of respondents in a recent survey saying they were planning trips for 2024 that included ski trips to France, adventure travel in South and Central America, and beach breaks on Antigua and Barbados. Empty-nesters are also a growing force, with groups of couples in their 50s to 70s hiring villas in the shoulder season for cultural weeks away, and all-female groups – mainly aged between 50 and 65 – who are proactive in wanting to renew long-term friendships. “We had one repeat group that included several cancer survivors,” says Sarah-Leigh Shenton at Red Savannah. “A hammam afternoon in Turkey was a deeply bonding experience and they’ve since travelled to Jordan and Sicily together.” Rick Jordan

11. AI aims to be your sidekick

What's the trend? Early last year, after OpenAI’s ChatGPT broke the record as the fastest-ever growing consumer app, travellers started playing around with AI chatbots to get inspiration on where they could go. More recently, major travel booking platforms have started to integrate AI chatbots into the booking experience. But if 2023 was the year of AI chatbots wanting to plan your trips , 2024 will be all about how AI aspires to be your travel sidekick. A wave of new AI-powered features and products aims to support travellers on the ground – all while raising concerns around the potential negative impacts as AI becomes more widely integrated with our travels.

Why will it matter in 2024? AI will start to make more real-time interventions in our travels in 2024. One practical example is live translation , which Samsung plans to launch on its 2024 Galaxy devices. Imagine calling somewhere you want to visit to get information without worrying about whether staff speak the same language as you. Another example is greater AI personalisation in popular apps you already use. Uber’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has recently touted the company's increasing use of personalised AI algorithms , which will learn about your habits and make suggestions based on what you’re doing. For the true early adopters, real-time travel interventions could also mean ditching your screen entirely and clipping a screenless personal translator and travel assistant to your chest. This is the unusual idea behind the new talking and projecting AI Pin from Humane , a start-up backed by investors including OpenAI’s Sam Altman, that promises to function a bit like the universal translator from Star Trek . Will anyone want to actually wear the pin or will it go the way of previously hyped devices such as Google Glass? It certainly raises a host of ethical questions about privacy and data protection. Yet the more that AI products successfully help in addressing on-the-go problems, the more travellers will come to rely on them too. JD Shadel

12. Skip-gen travel

What’s the trend? Skip-gen travel describes when grandparents holiday with grandchildren, in other words, "skipping" a generation. “In the past few months, I've had around twice as many enquiries as usual for grandchild/grandchild bookings,” says Clio Wood, founder of family retreat company &Breathe . “There’s been a rising trend of grandparents taking their grandchildren away,” agrees Ollie Summers, Head of Sales at bespoke operator Scott Dunn . “Often to places that have a sentimental meaning to them.”

Why will it matter in 2024? Several travel agencies have created itineraries to cater specifically for this demand in 2024. “Skip-gen safaris are emerging as a micro-trend from the UK, reflecting a niche traveller group now well established in the US luxury market,” says Liane Goldring of Mahlatini Luxury Travel . “The grandparents are usually in their 70s and still active enough to fully embrace a fully guided safari adventure.” Original Travel, meanwhile, has relaunched its Bonding Holidays Collection , featuring trips focussed on discovering something new together, such as its 14-day Family Ranching itinerary in the American West. Some of this growth can be attributed to big-ticket lockdown promises coming to fruition. Now, amid the UK’s cost of living crisis, parents are also keen to make the most of the time and childcare support of their typically baby boomer, more comfortably retired parents. Plus, the global ratio of living grandparents to grandchildren is higher than ever, thanks to a combined increase in life expectancy and drop in the number of children per person. We’re even said to be living in the "the age of the grandparent". Don’t expect this trend – or your grandparents – to slow down anytime soon. Becky Lucas

Glamorous train travel

13. Train travel gets glam

What’s the trend? Rising climate consciousness has fuelled a rail travel revival, the luxury train niche is reaching new heights of popularity, extravagance and ambition. Travel booking platforms are reporting growing demand for luxury rail trips , where the journey is, yes, the destination. In fact, new design-forward train lines increasingly rival the finest hotels for the culinary experiences and bells and whistles on offer.

Why will it matter in 2024? A new wave of rail lines and itineraries launching in 2024 puts an emphasis on deeper immersion into the culture and landscapes of the destinations, which are more and more off the beaten track. Responding to growing demand for luxury train travel among its user base, specialist platform Railbookers plans to launch arguably the most geographically extensive and expensive luxury train itinerary around. With prices per person starting at $113,599, the 80-day Around the World by Luxury Train voyage will cross four continents and 13 countries. Beginning in August , the slow journey will string together existing luxury rail trips including Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Jasper and India’s Maharajas Express from Delhi to Mumbai. In Asia, the previously paused Eastern & Oriental Express is making a grand comeback starting in February, with carriages getting an upscale revamp and its legendary route being retraced through Malaysia's landscapes. Meanwhile, Japan is a hot destination for its scenic train journeys such as the exclusive Train Suite Shiki-shima , which quickly closed applications for its 2024 trips due to demand. And in Europe, six new train lines will commence or terminate in Rome under Accor's La Dolce Vita umbrella, with suites designed by starchitects Dimorestudio, building on the cultural legacy of the famous Orient Express . JD Shadel

14. Restaurateur-owned hotels

What’s the trend? Restaurants and hotels are the two linchpins of the hospitality industry. And naturally, the two are often intertwined on one premises. Until recently, though, most hotels weren’t started or owned by restaurateurs. Yet as food-focused travel keeps increasing, with people hankering for the next hot reservation and planning entire trips around discovering a culture through its food, it makes sense that restaurateurs are adding hotelier to their CVs – and ensuring their new properties have impressive food offerings. We’d be remiss not to mention Nobu, which began as a restaurant in 1994 and in 2013 launched its global hotel brand, as a harbinger of the trend.

Why will it matter in 2024? Just as design brands (RH, West Elm) have opened hotels in recent years, now restaurateurs are getting in on the action. In the USA, restaurateur and 12-time James Beard award nominee Sam Fox has just launched the Global Ambassador in Phoenix, Arizona, with five restaurants. Santa Barbara’s Good Lion Hospitality is relaunching Petit Soleil , a Californian wine country boutique hotel, with a new bar and restaurant slated for next spring. The Lafayette Hotel & Club was debuted last summer in San Diego by Arsalun Tafazoli, founder of a local hospitality group that operates 16 bars and restaurants. The hotel has five restaurants and bars, with two more opening by the end of the year. In Dallas, Harwood International, which owns a dozen or so restaurants in the area, opened Hôtel Swexan in June. In the St Gallen region of Switzerland two hotels were recently added to beloved restaurants: the revamped Mammertsberg  and  Gasthaus Traube . In Slovenia, AS Hotel is a new place to stay launched Sebastjan Raspopović, son of chef Svetozar Raspopović-Pope of renowned restaurant Gostilna AS in Lublijana. Aside from a restaurant by Raspopović-Pope, the hotel has an eatery by Michelin-lauded chef Ana Roš. Finally,  R48 , and its lauded Chef’s Table, was opened in Tel Aviv last spring by R2M Hospitality Group, which also runs restaurants CoffeeBar and Herzl 16. Devorah Lev-Tov

15. Silent travel

What’s the trend? In an age of overstimulation, silence might be just what we need from our travels in 2024. Offering a chance to restore and reset, silent travel represents a more mindful kind of trip, one that doesn’t leave you needing a holiday to recover from your holiday. Silent meditation retreats are an increasingly popular wellness trend, but silent travel also encompasses secluded nature resorts, sleep retreats , quiet hotels , silent walking tours and even silent disco and concert experiences.

Why will it matter in 2024? Saturated with stress and screen time, many of us are looking for ways to disconnect. The silent walking trend that recently took TikTok by storm reflects a growing impulse to escape the noise of our tech-fuelled lives and embrace the quiet, with promising implications for wellbeing. One 2015 study suggests silence may help to stimulate brain development, while another found that two minutes of silence during or after relaxing music increased the music's calming effects. With the Global Wellness Institute forecasting a 21 per cent increase in wellness tourism in the next two years, what better counter to the chaos of our always-on lives than silence? Silent travel is also part of a move towards more sustainable tourism. Quiet Parks International , for example, offers unique nature experiences in dedicated quiet spaces, reducing noise pollution for the surrounding wildlife. Silent travel opportunities abound in 2024. Kick off the year with a silent retreat in Portugal (with Innate ) or Italy (with Mandali ). More adventurous silent-seekers can trek the peaceful Japanese Kumano Kodo trail, or explore Finland’s Arctic landscape with a Silence & Nature Tour . For a tailor-made silent experience, Black Tomato’s Blink camp offers luxury accommodation in the world’s most remote settings, while its Get Lost programme promises to help you find yourself by getting lost in a far-flung location. Tasha Kleeman

16. Urban gardens

What’s the trend? Never mind the biophilic office and those pot plants you forget to water: whole cities are going green as architects and planners create leafy microclimates amid the grey concrete to help keep us cooler, connect communities and even feed us.

Why will it matter in 2024? Having trees and gardens in our cities is a pretty good idea. King Nebuchadnezzar certainly thought so, which is why his Hanging Gardens of Babylon made it into travel’s first-ever bucket list – the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – back in the 2nd century BC. Nowadays planting trees creates much-needed shade, stores carbon and increases biodiversity, but it also makes our cityscapes so much nicer. While Valencia, an early adopter of urban greening with its 12km-long Turia Garden in 1986, is the 2024 European Green Capital, France is busy planting trees like there’s no tomorrow: go to Paris for the 2024 Olympics and you’ll spot budding new forests growing in Place du Colonel-Fabien, Place de Catalogne and in the Charonne district, while Bordeaux’s Grandeur Nature project includes urban cooling islands, micro-forests and rain gardens. All of which will doubtless be discussed at the ISHS Green Cities 2024 symposium, hosted by RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey, England, in September. Meanwhile, on Cyprus – an island that experienced temperatures of 44℃ in 2023 – the new Salina Park opens in time for summer shade in the seaside city of Larnaca. In Brazil, Rio’s Hortas Cariocas is a groundbreaking achievement that will be completed by the end of 2024: the largest urban vegetable garden in the world, connecting 56 community gardens across favelas and schools. And in London, the £1-billion Google building in King’s Cross will show just what can be done with one structure. Designed by Thomas Heatherwick, the "landscraper" – only 11 storeys high but stretching out longer than the Shard is tall – is hoped to provide a blueprint for future urban projects: running along the rooftop is a multi-level garden, with wildflowers, lawns and decked seating areas, set with more than 55,000 plants and 250 trees. Can you dig it? Rick Jordan

17. Back-of-house tours

What’s the trend? Greener hotels giving us a look behind the scenes to show us – not just tell us – they're sustainable. We don't mean a look-see at solar panels or composting, but heart-lifting experiential tours that help us appreciate why it matters to support socio-economic uplift through tourism. In South America, Blue Apple Beach invites visitors to get up close and personal with the community work it does in Colombia through its impact fund. Founder Portia Hart wanted more than token-gesture carbon offsetting, where locals themselves could decide how money was spent. In Africa, guests of the Bushcamp Company contribute to initiatives through the Luangwa Conservation and Community Fund. A popular excursion in Zambia is visiting the boreholes that are installed with outreach funds. Each pump provides fresh drinking water to hundreds of people a day, and visitors who spend time with those gathered get a very tangible insight into how such provisions funded by hospitality can literally change lives in regions most affected by a warming planet.

Why will it matter in 2024? Transparency is on the up as the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive comes into force and greenwashing is coming close to being officially outlawed. A year of droughts, floods and heatwaves also reminds us we need to make better-informed choices in our travel planning – and all the better if we can also get a crash course in the science and sociology of positive impact. Experiences that go beyond explaining responsible practices, but demonstrate a deep respect for communities on the climate-change frontlines and help make their challenges relatable to visitors are especially helpful. Juliet Kinsman

18. Wild feasting

What’s the trend? Have you ever noticed how food always tastes better outdoors? But in today’s modern world many of us are more used to eating a sandwich while staring at a screen. Wild feasting describes the trend for beautifully curated culinary experiences in natural environments with the incorporation of hyper-local and foraged ingredients. In Sweden, for example, you can tap into a network of do-it-yourself outdoor restaurants where you book a table in a scenic location, search for nettles, birch leaves, lingonberries and trumpet chanterelles, and then cook them on an open fire according to a recipe card provided by a Michelin-grade chef.

Why will it matter in 2024? A greater range of wild feasting opportunities will give urbanites a chance to properly connect over food. Leading the way is Noah Ellis, founder of the UK's Nomadic Dinners. “Since launching in 2018, we experienced compounded year-on-year growth for our feasting and foraging experiences,” he says. In 2024 he will be hosting a new series of fire feasts, including one set among the bluebells. Also tapping into the zeitgeist is TikTok star Alexis Nikole Nelson (aka the Black Forager) who will publish a book about wild food in 2024. And don’t forget, 2024 is the last year you will be able to eat at Copenhagen ’s legendary, foraging-focused restaurant Noma before it turns into a test kitchen and closes to the public. Another innovator is Holmen Lofoten’s Kitchen On The Edge Of The World series in the Norwegian Arctic Circle, where guests can participate in four nights of wild feasts cooked by top chefs. In 2024, these will include Lennox Hastie, José Pizarro and Heidi Bjerkan. Ingunn Rasmussen, owner of Holmen Lofoten, says: “Now, as when we were little kids, gathering around a bonfire in the wilderness, sharing stories, feasting under the stars in these magical, remote surroundings is one of the absolute highlights, both for our guests and for us.” Jenny Southan

19. Plan-free travel

What's the trend? Saying no to endless scrolling to plan every inch of a trip, and saying yes to spontaneity instead. The power of the algorithm-spawned era of Fomo travel is waning, with those once secret spots made Insta-famous becoming tired and cookie-cutter, and the drive to plan a trip around them losing momentum. The rising counter movement is travel with no plans at all.

Why will it matter in 2024? The plan-free appeal is going one step further in 2024. Booking.com recently reported that 50 per cent of UK travellers want to book a surprise trip in 2024, where everything, even the destination, is unknown until arrival. And it’s possible to do it via travel companies such as Black Tomato, whose Get Lost service offers customers the ability to simply select a preferred environment – polar, jungle, desert, mountain or coastal – and leave its team decide everything else. “While we launched Get Lost several years ago, post-pandemic we’ve seen a notable and rising uptick in bookings and enquiries,” says Black Tomato co-founder Tom Marchant. Journee offers a similar surprise element, with travellers only finding out where they’re going at the airport. The service, which includes a full itinerary and access to a team via Whatsapp, is particularly popular with solo female travellers, while overall demand has grown so much that the London -based brand recently launched trips in the USA. Lauren Burvill

20. Frontier tourism

What’s the trend? To go above and beyond. Or below and under. As crossings of the tumultuous Drake Passage to Antarctica rack up millions of TikTok views and traffic jams form on Everest, canny travellers are seeking more individual, less obvious experiences that combine thrill-seeking with more meaningful self-empowerment.

Why will it matter in 2024? One person’s frontier is another’s backyard, of course, so frontiers are entirely subjective here. For some, this could mean being the first to camp under the stars in a remote landscape, or hike an ancient pilgrimage trail that’s been off the map for centuries. It’s still possible to bag a rare place on a Kamba African Rainforest Experience in the Republic of the Congo, being one of just 12 people to explore a game park the size of Belgium. Black Tomato, meanwhile, is designing an intrepid new expedition to the remote Mitre Peninsula in Argentina, along with a trip in Peru navigating the Sacred Valley of the Incas by raft. “This sort of adventure goes beyond bragging rights and is more akin to self-empowerment and the gratification of pushing our own horizons,” says Black Tomato co-founder Tom Marchant. The Ultimate Travel Company is also heading to Peru, a country repositioning itself for luxury travellers, with stays at Puqio, its first tented exploration camp,, in the remote Colca Valley in the Southern Peruvian Andes. Wilderness camping is also pegging out fresh terrain in Kyrgyzstan, with yurt stays on the steppes trending for 2024, according to Wild Frontiers, as is Mongolia ; while Albania, Mongolia, Pakistan and the Empty Quarter of Oman are all on the radar for an increasing number of travellers. And while the space-age pods of White Desert have already sold out for New Year’s Eve 2024 and 2025, latter-day frontiersfolk can take the path less travelled and explore the frozen continent’s southern coast (99 per cent of visitors go from South America to the northwest) with The Ultimate Travel Company’s new Ross Sea cruises, seeing the Ross Ice Shelf and Transantarctic Mountains. Don’t forget to pack your penknife. Rick Jordan

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Travel’s Theme for 2022? ‘Go Big’

With Omicron cases ebbing, the industry is looking for a significant rebound in spring and summer. Here’s what to expect, in the air, at the rental car counter and beyond.

By The New York Times

As governments across the world loosen coronavirus restrictions and shift their approach to accepting Covid-19 as a manageable part of everyday life, the travel industry is growing hopeful that this will be the year that travel comes roaring back.

Travel agents and operators have reported a significant increase in bookings in recent weeks for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. The World Travel & Tourism Council (W.T.T.C.), which represents the global travel and tourism industry, projects that travel and tourism in the United States will reach prepandemic levels in 2022, contributing nearly $2 trillion to the U.S. economy. The council also anticipates outbound travel from the United States will increase; it projects bookings over the Easter holiday period to be up by 130 percent over last year.

“Our latest forecast shows the recovery significantly picking up this year as infection rates subside and travelers continue benefiting from the protection offered by the vaccine and boosters,” said Julia Simpson, the president and chief executive officer of the W.T.T.C. “As travel restrictions ease and consumer confidence returns, we expect a welcome release of pent-up travel and demand.”

While uncertainty remains over the course of the pandemic and government policies on mask mandates and testing requirements for travel, the industry is seeing a strong desire among travelers to take big bucket list trips this year, particularly to far-flung international destinations and European cities.

“Travel is no longer just about ‘going somewhere,’” said Christie Hudson, a senior public relations manager for Expedia. “Coming out of such a long period of constraints and limitations, 2022 will be the year we wring every bit of richness and meaning out of our experiences.”

Here are some of the trends you can expect to see.

Air Travel: Fewer restrictions, but for now the masks stay on

Flying in 2022 looks poised to be much like flying in 2021: reminiscent of prepandemic normal at times, infuriating at others. A primary difference is that there will be more people on planes and in airports — 150 percent as many passengers are expected to fly this year as did last year, according to The International Air Transport Association , which represents nearly 300 airlines.

In terms of where you can fly, you’ll have more options than last year. Destinations that have long been closed to most travelers, including Australia, the Philippines and Bali, have started reopening. Airlines have been gradually adding back old routes and expanding with new ones. In the spring, American Airlines, for example, plans to add six new routes from Boston. JetBlue will soon fly direct from New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Kansas City and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, among other locations.

You’ll still need to check the latest entry requirements before flying internationally. There are currently more than 100,000 health and travel restrictions in place, according to Meghan Benton , a research director at the Migration Policy Institute, which tracks them. Though that’s around the same number as a year ago, she noted, there has been a move away from quarantines and outright bans of nonessential visitors toward vaccination and testing requirements. Recently, a growing number of destinations, including Britain, have also reconsidered the merits of entry testing.

That flight for a summer getaway could cost less than it did before the pandemic. Fares are down 18 percent from 2019, according to Airlines for America, which represents seven major airlines. In January, the cost of international airfares purchased hit an all-time low since Hopper, a booking app, began tracking them in 2014. Predicting whether, when and where they will rise is harder than it was before the pandemic, however, as new variants, evolving health threats, travel restrictions and pandemic psychology have upended traditional pricing patterns. Fortunately, most airlines are continuing to waive flight change fees on all but basic economy flights, said Brett Snyder, the founder of Cranky Flier , an airline industry site.

When flying in the United States, everyone will need to wear a mask until at least late March. That’s when the federal mask mandate is set to expire. It has been extended before and could be extended again. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House’s chief medical adviser, is among those who have said that masks on planes should be here to stay. Gary Leff, who writes about air travel for View from the Wing, a site focused on air travel, said he agrees with the betting markets , which predict that the mask mandate will go away by the November midterm elections. Regardless, there will be more alcohol in the air. On Feb. 16, Southwest will serve drinks for the first time in two years. — Heather Murphy

Lodging: Hotels fight back, sometimes with robots

This may be the year travelers return to hotels. In a report for the American Hotel & Lodging Association, Oxford Economics, an economic forecasting company, expects total bookings to nearly equal 2019 stays, though a significant source of revenue — more than roughly $48 billion spent before the pandemic on food and drink, meeting spaces and more — will largely remain missing, given the continued slump in business meetings and group events.

Leisure travelers have kept the industry afloat and in certain areas — especially mountain and coastal destinations — vacation business is booming. With record demand, rates rose at escapist resorts like the Chebeague Island Inn in Maine even in the traditional off-season months.

Now, corporate lodging specialists like Level Hotels & Furnished Suites , which has high-rise apartments in four cities including Seattle, are going after leisure travelers, touting amenities like fitness centers. And why not? During the pandemic, many travelers discovered the privacy offered by rental residences. According to AirDNA , which analyzes the short-term rental market, vacation home bookings were up between 30 and 60 percent in small cities and resort destinations compared to 2019, though big-city rentals are down about 25 percent.

Urban hotels hope to compete for digital nomads by adding stylish extended-stay properties, social attractions and better work spaces. Denver’s Catbird hotel offers ergonomic studios with kitchenettes, plus a rooftop bar and rental gear, including scooters, ukuleles and air fryers. The Hoxton chain’s Working From co-working spaces are attached to its hotels in Chicago and London.

Adapting to lean times, many hotels have outsourced operations beyond laundry and landscaping, into food and recreational services. The new app-based service Breeze works with hotels to provide room service either from on-site restaurants or neighboring ones.

The pandemic has also hastened the adoption of automation in hotels — such as keyless check-in, digital staff communication and room delivery by robots — as a cost-effective response to the labor shortage.

“High tech is the new high touch,” said Chekitan Dev, the Singapore Tourism Distinguished Professor of marketing and management at Cornell University’s hotel school.

Hotel sustainability initiatives look to go further than “towel-washing optional” offers.

Hilton plans to introduce what it says is the country’s first net-zero hotel this year with the solar-powered Hotel Marcel New Haven, Tapestry Collection in New Haven, Conn. SCP Hotels , which operates seven hotels around the country, aims to go zero-waste in 2022.

The industry’s focus on leisure travelers may inspire new diversions. A hotel that can no longer afford to employ 50 servers in its events department might use the space to hold a yoga class or a talk by a local designer, according to Vikram Singh, an independent hotel consultant. “These are the experiences people remember more than whether the pillow was soft,” he said. — Elaine Glusac

Rental Cars: Still pricey, and hard to get

This time last year, Jonathan Weinberg, the founder and chief executive of AutoSlash , an online service that makes and tracks discount car rentals, noticed that rental vehicles were unexpectedly scarce and overpriced for the mid-February Presidents’ Day break, an early indication of the post-vaccine travel rebound.

In 2022, it’s looking worse. A Feb. 1 search in Phoenix for the upcoming holiday weekend showed all the major car rental companies were sold out and just two smaller agencies, Sixt and Nu, had cars, starting at $130 a day, more than twice what they might have been prepandemic.

“Even last year, we didn’t see inventory this tight until a week or so out,” Mr. Weinberg said.

It’s possible that consumers have heeded the advice to book cars early after last year’s shortages. But rental agencies still haven’t been able to expand their fleets — thanks largely to slowdowns in automotive manufacturing — and the anticipated return of travel after Omicron suggests more car trouble ahead.

“It doesn’t look like it’s going to improve at all in the next year,” said Mike Taylor, the senior travel analyst at J.D. Power, a market research company, noting that in addition to higher prices, renters may be getting older cars with high mileage.

According to the travel search engine Kayak , rental car rates last summer peaked in July at a national average of $119 a day. Currently, the national average is about $66, or 27 percent higher than last year at this time, and a 41 percent increase over 2019 for the same period. Searches have more than doubled compared to this time last year.

“Road-tripping is a more predictable way of travel these days, where you can avoid crowds and unexpected delays,” said Matt Clarke, the vice president of North American marketing for Kayak, which recently added search results from companies like Kyte , a car rental company that delivers cars to consumers, and Turo , a car-sharing site.

Such alternatives may have benefited from the rental car crunch. In the first nine months of 2021, revenue at Turo grew more than 200 percent, compared to the same period in 2020, according to a recent filing to go public.

“For many travelers, Turo was the least crazy option from a price standpoint,” said Turo’s chief executive Andre Haddad.

For now, car-sharing sites are better bets for finding electric vehicles, although Hertz announced in the fall that it would have 100,000 E. V.s by the end of this year. At Turo, E.V. listings have grown from about 200 in 2014 to more than 27,000 in 2021.

“We’re already seeing activity for March and April, and that is not normal,” said Ryan Hagler, a Maui resident who uses Turo to rent 10 vehicles, including six Teslas, which start around $80 a day. “I’m assuming it’s going to be pretty busy this year.” — Elaine Glusac

Destinations: Cities are back

This March, Virginia Devlin of Chicago is headed to New York City with her daughter, a musical theater student, to celebrate two years’ worth of missed birthday trips. They’ll see Broadway shows and visit Chinatown for dim sum. Tracy Lippes, of Short Hills, N.J., is ready to go to Paris. “I can’t wait to stay in a beautiful hotel, shop, visit museums and eat at great restaurants,” Ms. Lippes said of her March trip. Greg Siskind, an immigration attorney in Memphis, is thrilled to have an in-person conference in London next month, and plans to arrive a few days early to enjoy the city with his adult daughters.

Yes, city travel is back. After more than two years of avoiding urban centers, travelers are eager to return to their favorite metropolis and swan dive into the sights, bites and sounds of a city that is not their own.

“It was a lift to everyone when the U.K. dumped Covid mandates on Jan. 26,” said Henley Vazquez, a co-founder of FORA, a travel agency in New York City . “Bookings are spiking for classic European destinations, particularly Paris and London. Clients want to reconnect with special hotels and restaurants and simply bask in the culture.”

In the United States, Shawna Owen, the president of Huffman Travel , a Chicago-based agency that specializes in luxury and family travel, is planning long weekend trips to New York City. “New York is buzzing again and clients are excited to dine at hot spots and enjoy the city’s dynamism.”

Underscoring the New York-is-back trend, the travel booking site Skyscanner reports that New York City is its top booked domestic destination so far in 2022 and the online travel agency Expedia has had a 13 percent increase in searches for New York City.

As for Europe, Paris and London are the top searched international destinations on Scott’s Cheap Flights , a service that tracks flight deals. Hotel searches on Expedia jumped 62 percent for London and 51 percent for Paris since Jan. 1, and the mobile app Hopper reports that London and Paris clock in as two of the most searched international destinations for spring 2022.

With restrictions easing, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts reported an 80 percent increase in its bookings in Paris, London and New York from December to Jan. 16.

In London, the luxury travel outfit, Noteworthy , has seen bookings of its private tours to iconic British sites increase 145 percent in February over the same time in 2021. “ The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee has definitely been a tourist draw,” said Nicola Butler, the company’s owner and managing director. — Amy Tara Koch

Resorts: All-inclusives, beyond the beach

A new breed of domestic resort is pioneering an almost all-inclusive model, taking the guesswork out of where to eat and what to do. Why “almost?” These properties don’t include alcoholic beverages in their nightly rate, and, perhaps fittingly, boast enviable wine and spirits collections. A major catalyst for the trend: pandemic-scarred travelers wary of leaving the grounds of a resort once they arrive, according to Erina Pindar, the managing director of SmartFlyer , a luxury travel agency. “The almost all-inclusive is incredibly popular,” she said, “we expect demand to continue to be strong.”

Hotels.com reports that searches for this type of resort have increased significantly compared with the same time frame in 2019. “After the stress of the last few years,” said Mel Dohmen, a Hotels.com spokeswoman, “travelers are looking for stays where they can be doted on.”

“Our clients see these resorts as a hassle-free option,” said Jennifer Doncsecz, president of the travel agency V.I.P. Vacations .

The San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, Calif., long beloved by luminaries like Winston Churchill and Vivien Leigh, pivoted to an almost-all inclusive model in 2020. In addition to folding the cost of meals into the nightly rate, which starts at $2,495, it did away with extraneous charges like resort fees and parking. “We figured, with all the charges we’ve gotten rid of, what are people going to spend money on? Wine,” said Ian Williams, the Ranch’s general manager. “We’ve had no complaints. This past year has been our busiest ever.”

Given the complications caused by the pandemic, Mr. Williams and his team sought to streamline the travel process. “We want guests to check out and spend their trip home talking about what an amazing vacation they had,” he said, “not some miscellaneous charge on their bill.”

Beachside buffets and watered down margaritas might rule at the traditional all-inclusive; not at the Ranch. “Every guest, if they want the Wagyu for dinner, fine,” said Mr. Williams. “Caviar? Great. Maine lobster? No problem.”

When High Hampton , a Cashiers, N.C., resort that dates back to 1933, remodeled in 2020, it folded breakfast and dinner into its nightly rate, which starts at $595, “because it removes that pressure of where to dine next,” said Scott Greene, the resort’s general manager. (The amber-lit, oak-paneled dining room is always the right answer.)

The same logic has long been in place at Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain , two resorts in Walland, Tenn. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the nightly rate — $845 and up at the Farm, $1,395 and up at the Mountain —- along with all the snacks in the minibar. “We’re exceeding prepandemic occupancy,” said Matt Alexander, Blackberry’s president. SmartFlyer saw a 327-percent increase in revenue from bookings at the two properties in 2021 as compared to 2019. — Sheila Yasmin Marikar

Wellness: Sexual healing

Sexual wellness is one of the fastest growing corners of the global wellness industry, with travel increasingly part of the experience. More hotel brands and relationship therapists are offering couples retreats and beachfront sessions with intimacy coaches and guided anatomical explorations to meet the needs of travelers seeking greater couple satisfaction and personal pleasure.

“People still have stigma around couples therapy and coming to therapy, but nobody ever had a problem going on vacation,” said Marissa Nelson, a sex therapist who runs retreats in Barbados, Hawaii, St. Lucia and Washington, D.C., through her company IntimacyMoons (seven days in St. Lucia starts at $7,500). She also offers virtual sessions; even when retreats were shut down in 2020, she noticed couples were traveling — to Airbnbs or on road trips — before logging on to work with her.

Travel is a powerful tool for unlocking intimacy, said Shlomo Slatkin, a rabbi and certified relationship therapist. His company, The Marriage Restoration Project , focuses on married couples. In the past year, in response to a growing demand to combine therapy and travel, he has introduced his first destination retreats — which cost between $4,000 and $5,000 and take place in Costa Rica, Mexico and Miami.

“Going away is really powerful, because changing the relationship requires a paradigm shift,” he said. “The lockdowns brought out a lot of maintenance issues in relationships that need to be addressed.”

Tara Skubella, a tantric guide, works with both couples and single women. Tantra, a spiritual philosophy with roots in medieval India, includes practices like tantric sex, and Ms. Skubella offers services, including chakra work, which focuses on energy points in the body. Her retreats in Costa Rica and Colorado (starting at $499) have been mostly sold out since 2020, she said.

“It seems very aligned to Covid and breaking out of isolation,” she said. “Society is realizing tantra isn’t only about sex, but about inner connection and healing.”

In March, the hotelier St. Regis will launch a retreat with the sex coach Bibi Brzozka on intimacy, conscious sexuality and emotional awareness at the St. Regis Punta Mita Resort in Mexico ($2,680). In April, Six Senses Ibiza will host Pleasure Principles — Journey of Women’s Sexual Wellness , a six-night stay focusing on female sexual empowerment ($4,500). They are the first sexuality-focused retreats for both brands. — Debra Kamin

Family Travel: Going on the edu-vacation

After two years of quarantines and classroom closures, millions of children across the country have fallen behind in class . And parents, eager for lesson plans that can supplement learning, are now seeking experiences with an educational bent when they travel.

“Previously, families didn’t ask in advance about what educational activities are available at the resorts. Now they do,” said Chitra Stern, founder and chief executive of the family-friendly Martinhal resorts in Portugal. Nearly half of her new bookings, Ms. Stern said, now include questions about on-site educational opportunities for children. Last year, the luxury resorts began partnering with the United Lisbon International School to offer a two-week educational summer camp for its younger guests at Martinhal Lisbon. Courses, which are available for children ages 3 to 17, begin at 440 euros (around $500).

After a pandemic dip, enrollments are on the rise for family-learning itineraries with the tour operator Road Scholar , which produces educational travel programs for all ages. Options for children and their caregivers, which start at $699 per adult and $449 per child, include combining history and geography with spotting grizzlies in the Canadian Rockies , or learning French while taking a scavenger hunt through Paris’s Louvre .

And noting an uptick in children road tripping with their parents, the Colorado Tourism Office last summer launched Schoolcations , a series of free itineraries based on Colorado road trips and designed for grades K-5.

There are also more opportunities to learn back at the hotel. Family Coppola Hideaways — a group of retreats owned by the film director Francis Ford Coppola — now offers the Coppola Curriculum at its properties in Belize and Guatemala. Half-day lessons cost $150 per day for children and include courses in science (like counting bird species) and art (like local textile looming). In Florida, Isla Bella Beach Resort and Oceans Edge Resort & Marina now partner with Marine Science Camp for classes with marine scientists, geared to elementary school children (free for hotel guests). In California, attendance at the Artisans in Residence program at Carmel Valley Ranch — taught in the apiary, organic garden and goat creamery, and starting at $85 for adults and $65 for children — has doubled.

For some, a desire for extra credit also means going for an extra splurge. At the luxury travel agency Black Tomato , bucket-list family travel now accounts for 55 percent of bookings, with the majority of requests falling into what the company defines as BFG travel: Big Family Get-Togethers. So the company has rolled out a family-focused education track, Field Trip , which begins at around $5,800 per person; courses include a physics lesson at the CERN laboratory in Switzerland and a social studies-focused hike through Bhutan’s Gangtey Valley to meet a revered monk.

“Thematically, for 2022 family bookings, it’s all about intrepid adventure mixed with cultural immersion, ecological outdoor experiences, intrepid luxury hotels and even pop-up glamping setups — definitely bucket-list and remote,” said Tom Marchant, Black Tomato’s owner and co-founder. — Debra Kamin

Cruises: Smaller boats and luxury destinations

After two years of devastating losses and a tentative restart last June, the cruise industry has faced a challenging start to 2022, as the highly transmissible Omicron variant of the coronavirus caused cases to surge onboard ships, forcing some cruise lines to cancel voyages and change itineraries.

But demand for future cruises is still high, especially among dedicated cruise fans. A recent survey on cruiser sentiment by the online review site Cruise Critic found that 52 percent of the 6,400 cruisers surveyed were currently looking to book a cruise, with 40 percent hoping to set sail in the next six months.

A 2022 report on the outlook for the industry, published in January by the Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s trade group, highlighted how major companies are bouncing back from the pandemic despite recent hurdles.

More than 75 percent of CLIA member ships have returned to service, with 100 percent expected to restart operations by August 2022. Additionally, 16 new cruise ships from major lines like Carnival, MSC, Royal Caribbean and Disney will launch in 2022.

One of the biggest cruise trends for 2022 is luxury expedition voyages, appealing to a growing number of travelers throughout the pandemic because they typically sail on smaller ships and steer away from crowded destinations.

“The itineraries vary pretty significantly from those of the larger, more mainstream lines,” said Colleen McDaniel, the editor in chief of Cruise Critic. “Due to their size, luxury ships are able to sail to more remote destinations — so even if you’re sailing in the Caribbean, your ports of call will likely be further removed from the masses, and likely somewhere you might have never been before.”

Smaller river and expedition cruises are also expected to become more popular this year as cruisers seek out big bucket-list destinations and more sustainable ways to travel. Responding to the demand, Hurtigruten, a Norwegian line that specializes in expedition cruises, has added new itineraries to its Galápagos Islands excursions, offering a range of small-ship carbon-neutral expedition sailings that will cover the full span of the remote 19-island archipelago.

“A very positive trend we’ve seen throughout the pandemic is that travelers are increasingly eco-conscious; meaning they do their homework on brands, including cruise ships, to make sure they align with their personal values.” said Daniel Skjeldam, the chief executive of Hurtigruten Group.

The company is also expanding its grand expedition cruise program, offering three unique cruises from the North to South Pole after the success of two similar sold-out sailings scheduled for the fall. The itineraries include destinations like Alaska, Iceland, Greenland, the Northwest Passage sea route, South America and Antarctica.

“After having been isolated for two years, people really want to do something they really can look forward to,” Mr. Skjeldam said. “Something perhaps more active and interesting than their normal prepandemic holiday.” — Ceylan Yeginsu

52 Places for a Changed World

The 2022 list highlights places around the globe where travelers can be part of the solution.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places for a Changed World for 2022.

An earlier version of this article mischaracterized Kyte, a car rental business. Kyte is a car rental company that delivers cars to consumers; it is not a car-sharing website.

How we handle corrections

Come Sail Away

Love them or hate them, cruises can provide a unique perspective on travel..

 Cruise Ship Surprises: Here are five unexpected features on ships , some of which you hopefully won’t discover on your own.

 Icon of the Seas: Our reporter joined thousands of passengers on the inaugural sailing of Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas . The most surprising thing she found? Some actual peace and quiet .

Th ree-Year Cruise, Unraveled:  The Life at Sea cruise was supposed to be the ultimate bucket-list experience : 382 port calls over 1,095 days. Here’s why  those who signed up are seeking fraud charges  instead.

TikTok’s Favorite New ‘Reality Show’:  People on social media have turned the unwitting passengers of a nine-month world cruise  into  “cast members”  overnight.

Dipping Their Toes: Younger generations of travelers are venturing onto ships for the first time . Many are saving money.

Cult Cruisers: These devoted cruise fanatics, most of them retirees, have one main goal: to almost never touch dry land .

Watch CBS News

2 New York City beaches make Travel + Leisure's "25 Best in the USA." See the complete list.

By Dave Carlin

Updated on: April 29, 2024 / 6:47 PM EDT / CBS New York

NEW YORK -- Travel + Leisure magazine's annual list of the 25 best beaches in the U.S. includes a pair of popular ones right here in New York City.

The two beaches are sharing the prestigious space with other sun, sand and surf spots in places like Hawaii, California and Florida.

George Schlereth of Forest Hills said his love for Rockaway Beach predates the hit 1978 song by the Ramones with lyrics that went, "Rock, rock, Rockaway Beach."

"It's a great place to spend the afternoon. It's the best place you could go," Schlereth said.

So what else makes Rockaway Beach such a fan favorite?  

Travel + Leisure praised Rockaway Beach's "Five-mile boardwalk, and surf-worthy waves."

"It's definitely very diverse. People come from all over come here," said Kristen Supple of Far Rockaway.

"Rockaway Beach, because I love like the waves and boogie boarding and they have great ice cream and food," said 10-year-old Jordan Cannetti.

"I used to come here as a kid with my parents and family and it's just night and day. The boardwalk, it's just amazing. Now, the restaurant," his father said. "The parks along the boardwalk are just amazing. Ninja Park is great The pickle ball, the basketball."

"They spent so much money fixing up the Rockaways. They brought in more people, more families down there. The place is packed now," Schlereth added.

And let's not forget the amazing Coney Island   

Coney Island bubbled up to the Top 25 as well, with the editors of Travel + Leisure writing, "Coney Island is a perfect seaside wonderland of nostalgia and kitschy fun."

Kenya Dethan, who is 7, called it her favorite beach.

"I like the nice water. I like going on the roller coasters," Dethan said.

The thing about Coney Island is there is so much to do -- sand and surf, the boardwalk with the amusements, and the food and drinks -- all of it rain or shine.

"Number one in the world, Coney Island," resident David Dingle said. "Best of both worlds. You're at the beach and the stores all together, all in one place. Once you're here, you don't want to go back home."

Also making the best beaches list is the New Jersey favorite for fun, Asbury Park. It's the hometown of music legend Bruce Springsteen and features clubs like The Stone Pony , which keep the town highly rated and rockin'.

• Asbury Park
• Coney Island
• Rockaway Beach

Dave Carlin serves as a reporter for CBS2 News and covers breaking news stories and major events in the Tri-State Area.

Featured Local Savings

More from cbs news.

Lawmakers pushing for NYC Ferry route connecting S.I., Brooklyn

These riders could get a discount when NYC congestion pricing starts

Suspected killers indicted for chilling Long Island murders

NYC relative of Israeli being held by Hamas holding out hope for deal

• The Star ePaper
• Subscriptions
• Manage Profile
• Change Password
• Manage Logins
• Manage Subscription
• Transaction History
• Manage Billing Info
• Manage For You
• Manage Bookmarks
• Package & Pricing

Solo expeditions, sports tourism among top travel trends to watch

Wednesday, 01 May 2024

Related News

BNM partners MoF to host GFIEF with 'resilient global Islamic economy' theme

Asia-pacific business leaders must rally for robust global trade, says brunei top official, mkhop seeks to capitalise on higher cpo prices amid tighter global supply.

Sports tourism is still very popular, especially in Europe, where the Olympics and Paralympics will take place from late July.

This year is shaping up to be a landmark year for travel, with some exciting trends already making waves.

American Express Travel’s latest report shines a light on trends for 2024, revealing people’s plans to make the most of their trips this year.

According to the report, 84% of people are looking to spend as much or more on their travels as they did last year, and, smartly, 89% prioritise using “travel hacks” such as credit card points to get the most out of their trip.

So, what’s fuelling this enthusiasm? American Express Travel has pinpointed four key trends.

Sporty escapes

Sports fans are eager for live action, according to the report. Of the generations, 67% of Millennial and Gen Z folks prioritise travelling for sports events. Formula 1 racing, basketball and football attract the most travellers, at 58%. And the hot spots for sports travel this summer include New York, Miami and Las Vegas in the United States, London in England, and of course, Paris, most likely for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 (July 26-Aug 11) and 2024 Summer Paralympics (Aug 28-Sept 8).

Go big, or go home

Then, there’s the call of the wild – real wild. We’re talking bucket-list adventures that could have you trekking with gorillas or exploring the untouched beauty of the Galapagos Islands.

“Not only are travellers hungry for adventure and exploration, but they are engaged and show a desire to immerse in the culture of a region,” said Steve Smotrys, vice president of Seabourn Cruise Line’s sales and trade relations.

Many respondents’ dream trip is about experiencing remote locations like a local. For others, it’s about longer journeys packed with variety and discovery, like hopping across multiple countries.

Interestingly, 63% of those aiming to explore more than one country in a single journey are setting their sights on Europe. And for inspiration, travellers turn to friends or family (52%) more than social media (39%).

Solo is better

It’s all about freedom, baby! Custom itineraries, treating yourself, and the sheer ease of doing whatever you want, whenever you want. Millennials and Gen Z-ers lead the pack at 76%, compared to 69% of all respondents who plan to travel solo this year.

Moreover, 60% of solo travellers this year plan to enjoy not just one, but at least two solo expeditions.

Last-minute getaways

And for those who like to keep things spicy, spontaneous trips are on the rise. Nothing beats the thrill of booking a last-minute trip, leaving room for surprises and those authentic local experiences. A notable 78% of respondents find impromptu getaways appealing.

Interestingly, 77% of Millennials and Gen Z-ers have previously embraced last-minute travel, a trend slightly less common among 65% of Gen X-ers and 52% of Baby Boomers. – Tribune News Service

Related stories:

Tags / Keywords: Trending , Solo Travel , Getaway , travel trends , tourism trends , american express , adventure tourism , sports tourism , paris olympics , football , galapagos islands

Found a mistake in this article?

Report it to us.

Thank you for your report!

Omoda and Jaecoo to unveil new products, new technologies

Next in travel.

Trending in Lifestyle

Air pollutant index, highest api readings, select state and location to view the latest api reading.

• Select Location

Source: Department of Environment, Malaysia

Others Also Read

Best viewed on Chrome browsers.

We would love to keep you posted on the latest promotion. Kindly fill the form below

Thank you for downloading.

We hope you enjoy this feature!

latest in World News

Defense secretary says US troops building Gaza aid pier can...

Paris restaurants scamming ignorant tourists for tips ahead of...

Shocking doorbell footage shows moment cops finally corner...

Asteroid hunters spot 27,500 overlooked near-Earth asteroids —...

Jon Bon Jovi admits he had ‘100 girls in my life’ in early...

14-year-old dead, 4 others injured after sword-wielding attacker...

Teenager, 17, charged with murder of 10-year-old sister

International court may issue arrest warrants for Israeli...

Breaking news.

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

Shocking details have emerged of the 10-year-old girl who was allegedly stabbed to death by her sister.

About 3:45 pm on Monday, emergency services responded to reports of a stabbing at a home on Thurston Street, Boolaroo, approximately 12 miles southwest of Newcastle.

Paramedics treated a 10-year-old girl for multiple stab wounds to her upper body. However, she died at the scene.

Officers arrested her 17-year-old older sister at the home before she was taken to Belmont Police Station.

A crime scene was established and local detectives and the Homicide Squad commenced an investigation under Strike Force Upstream.

The teenage girl has since been charged with murder (domestic violence) and refused bail to appear at a children’s court on Tuesday.

Superintendent Tracy Chapman said there are no records of police being involved with this family previously for “matters such as this”.

Neighbor Cindy Holloway described the incident as “awful” and explained a grandmother, mother and two daughters have lived in the home for three years.

Share this article: