The city was hopping for Thanksgiving, with 8,000 participants in the parade and hundreds of thousands of spectators lining the streets to take in the action. Although the markets (and many others) have been spooked by Omicron, real data is still two weeks away and there's nothing to indicate the variant will be a game changer. In the meantime, the CDC will likely tighten up testing requirements for foreign travelers—hopefully there won't be the need to add the self-isolation period that the U.K. has just adopted. New York is taking precautions but the general guidance to get vaccinated and boosted synchs up with the city's approach—our numbers remain much stronger than the state and the nation (as the Post notes, 97% percent of Queens adults and 94% of Manhattan adults are vaccinated, followed by the Bronx, Staten Island, and Brooklyn with vaccination rates of 86.4%, 84.4%, and 82.9% respectively).

The big story this morning is the announcement that land borders between Mexico and Canada will reopen to the vaccinated in early November. Canadians historically send more travelers to NYC than any other place save the U.K., and land borders will be easier to cross as no negative Covid test will be required. The Delta variant appears to be waning, with global rates of infection falling. Recovery is not overnight, but the U.S. economy is emerging with consumer sentiment, spending, and employment more resilient than it has been following previous surges. United Airlines's domestic capacity in December will be 91% of what it was in 2019. Their data suggests pent-up demand will be manifesting ahead of the holidays.

There’s less traffic, so things are a bit easier for pedestrians, and you don’t have to worry as much about the reckless drivers in Midtown, for example. The Upper East Side has a reputation for being safe, charming, and a bit luxurious too. You are away from some of the city's touristy areas, but you can always get there if you’d like to. The following are some general things visitors should know about staying on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

The city's schools are full of kids again. Vaccine mandate enforcement has gone into effect. Major Broadway players are back under the lights. Things continue to change quickly and the majority of it is for the better for tourism's return. Read on for more good news on the opening and reopening front.

We are, at least, on the other side of the election. However things play out, at last being able to establish some parameters will allow our city and our industry to plan for recovery. For years we've heard an artificial emphasis on sectors like coal mining. There are 50,000 coal miners in the U.S. Tourism accounts for six times as many jobs—in New York City alone! Tourism and New York can be an accelerant for national recovery. In the links below we have several innovations and data points to that end.

Jeremy Jordan to join the cast of Broadway's Waitress; Hugh Jackman to return to Broadway in 2020 starring in The Music Man, and James Corden will helm the 73rd Annual Tony Awards.