The Biden administration has lifted the Covid testing requirement for international travelers, which was a drag on tourism—a recent U.S. Travel survey found 54% of international travelers were less likely to visit the U.S. due to the mandate. Nationally, an additional 5.4 million visitors and $9 billion in spending are expected over and above current numbers in just the next six months thanks to the ruling. Other positive developments for NYC tourism as we head into a big Pride Weekend include:
- Broadway is making masks optional for July
- Despite headlines, NYC makes the list of safest cities (and it's much safer than small-town America)
- Hotel numbers are very solid, and up substantially just in the last couple of weeks. For the week ending June 11th:
LINKS OF INTEREST
Delta unveils sparkling new Terminal C at LaGuardia.
NYC
- Reopening of Hilton Times Square an indicator of confidence in Times Square's rebound
- Midtown Manhattan has a pulse again
- Hope on the horizon for city hotels
- What's new in NYC this summer
- Restaurants fed up with TikTok influencers
- Al Coro rises from the ashes of Del Posto
- Love Above All Ball to return to the Rainbow Room June 24th
- Pride in Times Square June 24th-25th
- The Museum of Broadway is officially opening this November
- Mayor Adams notes the special energy from NYC's crystals
BEYOND NYC
- Hotel executives are brimming with optimism as demand drives rates ever higher
- Travel Leaders executives are confident that travel will weather any storm
- Shift in U.S. tourism strategy and goals to boost international tourism
- RevPAR to surpass pre-pandemic levels this year
- Summer plans remain elevated despite inflationary pressures
- Americans are still willing to spend big on travel
CITY MAP IS READY!
City Guide's City Map has gone to press. In another sign of the strength of the tourism market, all the panels were purchased. Look for copies in hotels and around the city in time fo the July 4th weekend.
Also pointing toward tourism's rebound: with this latest issue, City Guide's circulation has gone up to 50,000 weekly.