The relaxation of city mask and vax rules on Monday will continue to lift tourism's already rising tides. City Guide monitors the distribution of our print magazines every day and reports from the ground have been very promising—occupancy rates at 81%, 91%, and 97% at three higher end midtown hotels that distribute a large number of our guides. For the week that ended on Saturday, NYC occupancy rates were 61% overall, the highest since Omicron showed up. (The subway just recorded its highest number of riders since Omicron as well.)
- “People are tired of going to national parks. They want to go to New York and go to a Broadway show.” Cities are back and NYC is leading the way, according to Expedia Group CEO Peter Kern, who also goes a little further to predict “Summer 2022 will be the busiest travel season ever.”
- "We had a great holiday season and the past two weeks were great.” Restauranteurs applaud the end of the Key2NYC requirements and anticipate imminent increases in business. Events and corporate travel will play a role; the fall is already super busy according to Mike Warren, director of catering for CPS Events at The Plaza, with inquiries ticking up weekly. Globally, the event sector's recovery is accelerating, to reach 71% of prepandemic levels this year.
- "About 90% of Americans still plan to travel in the next six months, which is a very strong market indicator that we’ll surpass pre-pandemic travel spending levels in the coming months." More than 60% of U.S. residents now think that the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic is over; there is double the concern about traveling to Europe during a war than there is about traveling in general during the tail end of the pandemic. This could benefit NYC as international plans convert to domestic travel this summer.
New Penn Station revitalization plans released by Governor Hochul. Image courtesy Governor Hochul's Office.
Links of Interest
A reunion brunch was held Monday at Ellen’s Stardust Diner in honor of Women’s History Month and in celebration of the contributions to history, culture, and society of the Miss Subways. Ellen Hart Sturm (center), the owner of Ellen’s Stardust Diner, has held many Miss Subways reunions over the years, after being crowned Miss Subways in 1959.
NYC
- The Times: Get Out of Your Pajamas, the Pandemic Is Over*
- L.A. sushi hot spot Katsuya opening tomorrow at Citizens Food Hall in Manhattan West
- The David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center reopens tomorrow
- Gerber Group to open new Chinatown dance club Daphne
- Macy's Flower Show returns March 27th
- New Times Square Target to open April 3rd
- MSC Cruises to sail from NYC year-round for the first time, starting spring 2023
OUTSIDE NYC
- "There is so much pent-up demand to go travel"—hotels staff up in February ahead of busy summer
- Spring break bookings are soaring, NYC is among the top 10 destinations
CLOSING TIME
- Blockheads and Benny's Burritos are done
- Amazon to close all its bookstores and shops, including SoHo, Herald Square, and Columbus Circle locations
Women In Tourism—The Nominations Are In!
At midnight on Monday—International Women’s Day—City Guide concluded the first stage in the Women In Tourism Awards, presented by American Airlines. We received 200 nominations for amazing women representing a broad variety of roles, experiences, and expertise. A distinguished panel of judges from across the tourism spectrum will now weigh the nominations and select the honorees. At noon on Monday, March 21st we will announce the honorees in a livestream. The awards will be presented at a luncheon gathering on May 10th at Sony Hall.
City Map Is Back!
City Map is a favorite for tourists. In today’s smartphone world, the tactile experience of a physical map still offers convenience and comfort when navigating the city.
“I was surprised, when I came back from Covid, that with all the technology out there, our guests still request maps. I think we still want to see the place we are visiting, on paper. I know it happens to me as well. Thank you City Guide for providing an essential tool for my guests and for us Concierges.” —David Moreno, Member, Les Clefs d’Or USA, Concierge, Park Lane Hotel, New York
If you want a billboard that reaches over half a million tourists throughout their trip, contact us today before all the spots are gone.
