NYC & Company has announced its 2016 tourism forecast, while showcasing upcoming and recent developments as part of the “New” New York City. In 2016, New York City is expected to welcome about 59.7 million visitors, making it the seventh consecutive year for record-breaking tourism.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said, “Every corner of New York City is full of diverse cultures, art, entertainment and performing arts. It is not surprising – but still exciting – to know that 2016 will be yet another record breaking year for tourism. I thank the businesses, artists and all New Yorkers who continue to make our city an attractive place for people around the world to continue visiting.”
Fred Dixon, president and CEO, NYC & Company, commented, “New York City is experiencing an exciting moment in its history, with unprecedented developments and openings debuting across the five boroughs this year and beyond. We are pleased to announce that 2016 is slated to be another record year for tourism in New York City, its seventh consecutive year of growth, with 59.7 million visitors anticipated by year’s end.”
Visitation for 2016 is forecasted to comprise of 47 million domestic and 12.7 million international visitors. Dixon and Chris Heywood, senior vice president of Global Communications, highlighted significant developments in the city’s five boroughs, including hotels, infrastructure investments, attractions, retailers and more.
New York City has the nation’s most active hotel development pipeline, with 107,000 hotel rooms this year, and a total inventory of 133,000+ rooms expected by the end of 2019. Noteworthy hotel openings in 2016 include Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel (April 2016); The William Vale (May 2016); InterContinental New York Barclay (Spring 2016); The Beekman (Spring 2016); Four Seasons New York Downtown (Mid 2016); Whitby Hotel (Fall 2016); and 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge (Late 2016).
From the recent opening of the 34 St-Hudson Yards subway station on Manhattan’s Far West Side; to the Summer 2016 debut of the World Trade Center Transportation Hub; to the December 2016 opening of the Second Avenue Subway’s first phase; to get around the city is expected to become easier. By July 2016, 500 LinkNYC kiosks will come to New York City’s five boroughs, offering free high-speed internet, phone calls, and device charging for residents and visitors, with another 4,500 coming online by mid-2019.
On March 18, the City will see the opening of The Met Breuer, The Met Museum’s new contemporary art wing in the former home of the Whitney Museum of American Art on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
The city’s retail industry is also thriving, with the recently-opened Barneys New York Downtown flagship in Chelsea; Westfield World Trade Center debuting in Lower Manhattan this summer; CityPoint opening in Brooklyn this year; and Nordstrom, expected to open in 2019. In years to come, New York City will see the openings of the New York Wheel and Empire Outlets in St. George, Staten Island (2017); Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport (2017); and extensive upgrades on Manhattan’s Far West Side, with the Hudson Yards development (2018).
In 2015, New York City welcomed a record 58.3 million visitors, the City’s sixth consecutive year for record-breaking tourism. Visitation for 2015 comprised 46 million domestic and 12.3 million international visitors.
