Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Monday, August 7, 2000

Release #291-00

 
Contact:

Sunny Mindel/Curt Ritter (212) 788-2958

 

 

NEW YORK CITY EXPERIENCES RECORD NUMBER OF VISITORS IN 1999
WITH NEARLY 37 MILLION TOURISTS VISITING NEW YORK CITY

11% Increase In Visitors Over 1998 Helps City Break Previous Records

City Remains #1 Overseas Tourist Destination

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and NYC & Company President and CEO Cristyne Lategano-Nicholas announced today that the number of domestic and international visitors traveling to the City reached its highest level ever in 1999. In a press conference at the NASDAQ Visitors Center in Times Square, the Mayor reported that 36.7 million international and domestic travelers came to New York City in 1999 -- an increase of 11 percent over 1998 -- and spent an estimated $15.6 billion, a 6 percent increase over 1998. Since 1995, visitors to the City have increased by more than 28 percent.

"I'm pleased to announce that New York City remains one of the top tourist destinations for both domestic and international travelers," said Mayor Giuliani. "With 36.7 million people visiting New York City last year to see a Broadway show, visit a museum, watch a Yankees game or visit with family or friends, New York City's tourism industry is showing no signs of slowing down. The record growth in tourism reflects the transformation that has taken place in both the perception and reality of New York City. Thanks to New Yorkers with courage, vision and imagination, our City has become one of the world's cleanest, safest and exciting places to visit -- reaffirming the fact that New York City truly is the Capital of the World."

NYC & Company President and CEO Cristyne Lategano-Nicholas said, "New York City has undergone an unprecedented renaissance. Hotel growth, new visitor services and attractions, as well as public transportation improvements, have all come together to offer a visitor an experience second to none. The tourism industry remains one of the mainstays of New York City's economy, with 1999 visitor spending translating to $2,100 per man, woman and child. In 1999 the industry supported 276,800 New York City jobs and contributed $2.9 billion in tax revenues on the City, State and Federal level.."

According to the CVB, the total number of people visiting New York City in 1999 increased to 36.7. Of that figure, 30.1 million were domestic visitors, representing an 11 percent increase from 1996, while 6.6 million were international visitors, representing a 9 percent increase from 1998. New York City's tourism boom has been driven by the City's improved quality of life and upgraded infrastructure, and supported by rising consumer confidence levels, a strong national economy, falling unemployment and lower inflation.

The NYC & Company study highlighted other significant findings:

¨ New York City remains the most popular U.S. destination for overseas travelers.

¨ Overnight travel to New York City jumped 13 percent, with 18.4 million visitors staying overnight, while 18.3 million daytrippers visited New York City in 1999, a 9 percent increase over 1998.

¨ Leisure travel in 1999 surged 15 percent to 25.4 million. This is a 9 percent increase in international leisure travel and a 17 percent increase in domestic leisure travel over 1998 levels. Since 1995, leisure travel has increased 39 percent.

¨ As the Business Capital of the World, 11.3 million business travelers visited New York City in 1999, an increase of 2 percent from 1998.

¨ Family travel to the City is up 11 percent over 1998, with 10.1 million family travelers visiting the City in 1999. Since 1996 family travel has increased 27 percent.

¨ 15.6 million visitors went shopping in New York City in 1999, an increase of 23 percent over 1998.

NYC & Company, a private and non-profit organization, is the City's official tourism marketing agency. NYC & Company's principal responsibility is to enhance New York City's economy through tourism development. It recently organized a Restaurant Committee to promote New York City cuisine on a worldwide basis. Visit NYC & Company's website at http://www.nycvisit.com.



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