Big Numbers For The Big Apple
New York City hit an all-time record of 56.4 million visitors in 2014. And those visitors generated a record $61.3 billion in overall economic impact, supporting 359,000 tourism-related jobs and $21 billion in wages. The city’s hotel sector reached 102,000 hotel rooms last year, while selling a record 32.4 million total hotel room nights – another all-time high. The tourism industry also generated $3.7 billion in local tax revenues.
The results were announced by New York’s mayor, Bill de Blasio, NYC & Company president and CEO, Fred Dixon, and NYC & Company board of directors chairman and president of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Emily K. Rafferty.
Mayor Bill de Blasio observed: “From Soho to Soundview to Sunnyside, New York City offers visitors hundreds of unique neighbourhoods and communities to explore – and last year a record 56.4 million visitors chose to experience all that New York City has to offer. Our five boroughs are brimming with new enclaves of diverse food, performances and art shows around every corner. Our excellent quality of life, low levels of crime, and constant dynamism continue to attract record tourism each year, and 2014 was no exception.”
Of the 56.4 million visitors who came to New York City in 2014, 44.2 million came from U.S./domestic locations, while 12.2 million came from international locations. Average hotel occupancy for the year finished at 89%, while average daily room rates citywide finished the year at $295. Both occupancy rates and room rates in New York City are the highest in the country.
