Fact: 2018 was a record-breaking year for tourism to New York City. Prediction based on a wealth of knowledge: 2019 in New York City is going to be LEGEN- wait for it – DARY!
If there was ever a time to a book a trip to the City that Never Sleeps, it’s 2019 because there’ll be a range of ‘monumental’ changes, Pride parades AND New York’s tourism leaders will be going all out to ensure they exceed the record-breaking 65.2 million arrivals over 2018.
You read right, 65.2 MILLION people visited New York City in one year (51.6 million domestic and 13.5 million overseas).
2018 was the Big Apple’s ninth consecutive year of record-breaking visitation, which some 720,000 Aussies generously contributed to as the sixth largest international market, after the UK (1.24 million), China (1.1 million), Canada (one million), Brazil (920,000) an France (807,000).
A total of 37.7 million hotel room nights were booked citywide and approximately $66 billion was generated in annual economic impact.
The record-breaking year, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio, proves that New York City is the “greatest City in the world to live in and visit”.
“We [New York City] embrace diversity and are welcoming to all, and the more than 65 million visitors to our city were able to experience that first hand.”
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio
Looking into the next 12 months, NYC & Company has predicted that over 67 million people will visit the Big Apple in 2019, also referred to as the city’s ‘monumental year’.
Throughout the year, travellers will find new hotels opening up around the popular destination (such as CitizenM in Lower Manhattan, Westin New York Staten Island, Equinox Hotel in Hudson Yards and The Hoxton in Williamsburg), along with its first shopping outlet, Empire Outlets, featuring 100 stores.
A whole new neighbourhood called Hudson Yards will also officially open this year with five acres of gardens and public plazas, a permanent public art centre named ‘The Vessel’, 16 distinct dining experiences, and more.
Additionally, New York City will debut a Statue of Liberty Museum, renovate the Museum of Modern Art, arrange a tribute to Andy Warhol AND, best of all, it’ll host World Pride 2019, which coincides with Stonewall’s 50th anniversary!
- READ: Introducing a new-look NYC campaign
- READ: 6 changes coming to the city that never sleeps
- READ: New hotels, attractions & even, more shops in NYC!