New York City – 20 December 2016
More than 60 million tourists visited New York in 2016, the most ever, attracted by the Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 Memorial, Broadway shows and four-star restaurants.
The number of tourists from across the United States and around the world exceeded forecasts, city tourism officials said on Monday, and topped last year’s record by 1.8 million, Reuters reported.
“The iconic attractions are always a big draw,” said Fred Dixon, president and chief executive of NYC & Company, the city’s official destination marketing organization. “These are the hallmarks of a New York City visit, especially for the first-time visitor.”
The city’s signature landmarks, including the Empire State Building and Central Park, remain high on the list of must-sees, but lower Manhattan has become a big draw for tourists as well.
The allure of out-of-Manhattan experiences in reflected in hotel stays in the five boroughs, which grew by 1.2 million to 34.9 million room nights, another record.
“Much of the hotel development is not limited to Manhattan. It is throughout the entire city,” said Christopher Heywood, a spokesman for NYC & Company. “This idea of neighborhood travel has become very, very popular.”
About 80 percent of tourists in New York are from other parts of the United States, according to the city, which tracks visitors who have traveled more than 50 miles.
Unsurprisingly, international tourists, estimated at more than 12 million this year, account for the biggest economic footprint. They contribute about half of hotel and direct spending.
Britain leads in the pack in foreign tourists visiting New York, but China is a close second, having overtaken Canada, which dropped to No 3, followed by Brazil.