Press Release Archives #398-98 - 1997 Tourism Numbers at All-Time High as 33 Million International and Domestic Travelers Visited New York City

Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Monday, August 24, 1998

Release #398-98

Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958
Jennifer Chait 212-788-8479

NEW YORK CITY 1997 TOURISM NUMBERS AT ALL-TIME HIGH AS 33 MILLION INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC TRAVELERS VISITED

1998 Figures Are Expected to Top 34 Million Visitors

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and New York Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) President & CEO Fran Reiter announced today that the number of domestic and international visitors traveling to the City reached its highest level ever in 1997. In a press conference at the Novotel New York Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, the Mayor reported that 33 million international and domestic travelers came to New York City in 1997, an increase of 13.4 percent over 1996 when more than 29 million travelers visited the City. Since 1994, visitors to the City have increased by more than 26 percent.

"I'm pleased to be here today to announce that New York City's unprecedented growth in the tourism industry continues to reach record highs," said Mayor Giuliani. "Whether you visit the City for a day to take in a Yankees game or stay for a week to see Broadway shows and other attractions, New York City is a wonderful place to visit. The record growth in tourism reflects the transformation that has happened in both the perception and reality of New York City. Thanks to New Yorkers with courage, vision and imagination, we have become one of the world's cleanest, safest, exciting and welcoming places to visit."

"Last year, more than 33 million domestic and international visitors came to New York City - a new record," Mayor Giuliani continued. "That's 3.9 million more visitors than the previous year, and this year, we expect the number to exceed more than 34 million. This is great news for the City's economy as well, because these visitors spent a total of $13.7 billion, and generated an estimated $710 million in tax revenues for the City."

"The record growth this year continues a three-year trend in which the City has set records for tourism - reaffirming the fact that New York City is the Capital of the World," the Mayor concluded.

CVB President Fran Reiter said, "Tourism is a critical contributor to New York City's economy, supporting more than 131,000 jobs and bringing in nearly $14 billion in direct spending. Our mission at the CVB, in conjunction with City government and our membership of over 1,100 businesses, is to institutionalize the gains tourism has made while the City is enjoying such peak popularity - and pave the way for a sustained, bright future."

According to the CVB, the total number of people visiting New York City in 1997 increased to 33 million from 29.1 million in 1996. Of that figure, 26.9 million were domestic visitors, representing a 15 percent increase from 23.4 million in 1996, and 6.1 million were international visitors, representing a 7 percent increase from 5.7 million in 1996. 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 CVB study highlighted other significant findings:

New York City retained its position as the most popular U.S. destination for overseas visitors, receiving over 5 million visitors in 1997, a 10 percent increase from 1996. Visitors from Canada and Mexico bring the City's total international visitor count to 6 million, up 7 percent from 1996.
New York City's domestic visitor growth outpaced the other top ten U.S. destinations for domestic travel last year, up 15 percent from 1996.
Tourists visiting New York City spent approximately $13.7 billion in 1997, with projections that 1998 will reach $14.3 billion.
New hotel development will increase the City's capacity to host more visitors, with approximately 5,000 new hotel rooms expected to bring citywide capacity to 65,000 rooms by the year 2000.
The Hotel Occupancy Rate increased to 83.9 percent, up from 82.5 percent in 1996. Another indicator, NYC Hotel Room Nights Filled, increased to 18,415,000 in 1997 from 17,726,000 in 1996.
Visitors take advantage of the City's diverse activities, participating in shopping, restaurant dining, sightseeing, museum and historical site visits, among other activities. Nearly 40 percent of all domestic visitors and 70 percent of all overseas visitors participated in a cultural activity while in New York City.

The NYCVB, a private and non-profit organization, is the City's official tourism marketing agency. The CVB'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 NYCVB's website at http://www.nycvisit.com.

www.ci.nyc.ny.us