For the sixth-consecutive year, New York City tourism has set new highs, welcoming 58.3 million visitors during 2015. According Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company, last year’s growth marked an increase of 1.8 million visitors over 2014.
“The city continues to evolve, always offering fresh reasons to visit again and again, with more new developments on the horizon,” Dixon said. “However, with the continuing pressure on the global economy and the strengthening dollar, we will all need to work even harder in 2016 to sustain our competitive edge.”
New York City’s 2015 visitation was dominated by domestic travelers at 46 million. International visitors accounted for 12.3 million. China showed the strongest growth among international travelers, with a 14 percent increase to an estimated 852,000 visitors. United Kingdom had the most impact on New York City tourism, estimated at 1.192 million, followed by Canada at 1.072 million and Brazil at 926,000.
Records for Hotel and Convention Demands
One of the direct beneficiaries of New York City tourism growth was the city’s hotel and convention industries. New York City had a record 33.7 million hotel room-nights sold, and meeting and convention attendees reached a high of 6.1 million.
“Through the hard work of NYC & Company, and their support of the City’s various attractions—from restaurants to the performing arts and more—2015 marked a new milestone for NYC tourism,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “As the safest and most exciting big city in America, we have so many rich offerings that continue to make the five boroughs a global draw.”
In 2015, NYC & Company called attention to a host of new attractions with a campaign called “new New York.” CVB representatives held events around the globe to promote the openings of such venues as Whitney Museum of American Art, Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, One World Observatory, Brookfield Place, Kings Theatre, High Bridge and Staten Island Museum at Snug Harbor.
