Search

NYC Tourism Updates for December 2020

The vaccine news of the last few days is nothing short of spectacular. Pfizer and Moderna have both developed 95%-effective candidates, and Moderna's has less of a deep freeze requirement, making the logistics side more promising. Accordingly, travel stocks have been shooting up. Less publicized is a recent NYU study showing that hospitalized patients with COVID had a 26% chance of dying in March; that's been cut all the way down to 8% now. The FDA just approved an at-home COVID test. All of it bodes well for continued recovery. 

Even with a drop in Thanksgiving traffic this year (NYC is usually #1 nationally in both flights and hotels), the city is still hanging in there in sixth place for flights and ninth for hotels. The latest from NYC & Company, NYC Travel Trend Outlook 2020-2024, does sound notes of caution, however. The report doesn't see 2019-size numbers happening until 2024. On the positive side, their predicted late spring/early summer pickup in tourism seems very doable. Taking a national view, travel executives are upbeat about the industry's prospects in the Biden-Harris administration. Tripadvisor says its financial results for the third quarter were better than projected, as travel markets return around the world. Hopefully with new approaches, the U.S. won't be too far behind.

We wish all of our partners and colleagues a healthy and happy Thanksgiving—we are truly thankful for all the support we receive and the strength we feel in being part of this vibrant community.

waterline square park

Waterline Square Park now open on the Upper West Side. Photo: Julia Callahan/M18 Public Relations.

Links of Interest

NYC
The 2021 World’s Best Cities Report is out. NYC is #2.

The 2021 World's 50 Best Bars is out. NYC's highest ranking spot, Dante's, is #2.

NYC & Company lays out an extensive list of winter city happenings.

What will outdoor dining look like in NYC this winter? And will it be safe?

Signs of recovery for NYC ride-sharing companies.

The Times notes NYC tourism may not make a full recovery until 2025.

The Wall Street Journal looks at staycationing New Yorkers.

How the election impacts NYC.

How Times Square became an unlikely hub for resistance art.

NATIONAL
How travel might be changed for good.

The future of travel under the Biden presidency.

U.S. Travel's Roger Dow on whether Biden's election is good news for travel (it is).

AIR TRAVEL
United debuts a COVID-free flight from Newark to London (and slates its return to JFK after a 5-year hiatus). 

Meanwhile, American Airlines axes 100,000 December flights.

Preflight COVID testing could become the norm, hastening tourism's return.

HOTELS
Marriott bounces back as China surges.

reset in hotel bookings is happening right now.

CLOSING TIME
Yankees cut ties with Staten Island's "Baby Bombers."

Joe Bastinaich's Otto relinquishes prime real estate after 17 years.

BBQ fave Ducks Eatery takes flight after an 8-year run.

Healthy Village spot Cafe Clover says goodbye after 7 years.

jaxc&co mexology

Long Island City debuts new elevated food hall JACX&CO. Méxology pictured here.

Everything to Do NYC Facebook Group Tops 10,000 Members!

City Guide's Facebook Group Everything to Do NYC is great first-hand market research, letting you gauge the thinking of thousands of New York City superfans. The group is growing quickly, having blown past the 10,000 member mark and continuing to add hundreds more each week. It's an engaged group, too, with more than 80% active over just the last four weeks. Members are looking for things to do and places to eat and shop. Recent posts have included a request for boot shopping tips (DSW, Paragon, Little Eric Shoes, Tip Top Shoes, and Harry's among the suggestions); Thanksgiving weekend plans (One World Observatory, 9/11 Memorial, Edge, holiday markets, ARTECHOUSE, Fotografiska, and the High Line); where to get a reservation for 12 for dinner, and even a query for a photographer recommendation. The group can really serve as a marketing vehicle. Stop by for insight into what locals and visitors are thinking.

A Facebook Forum for the NYC Tourism Industry

The NYC Tourism industry is one community and now, more than ever, we need to pull together to rebuild. Restoring our businesses to our previous levels will take time. However, we can gain efficiencies and accelerate processes by collaborating—exchanging ideas, seeking advice, developing partnerships, posting jobs (looking for jobs), and sharing news. We have created the Facebook Group—NYC Tourism Industry Professionals to encourage dialogue. Join, learn, and keep up with the latest in a rapidly changing environment. Click here..


Want more on New York City tourism? Sign up for our free weekly Tourism Happenings newsletter here!

About the Author

Ethan Wolff is the author of numerous guidebooks to New York, having covered the city for more than two decades. He has written for New York Magazine, BlackBook, and Details, among others. In addition to his work as the editor of City Guide, Ethan covers NYC’s talk and lecture scene for the website Thought Gallery. He lives with his wife and two daughters in the Windsor Terrace neighborhood of Brooklyn.

Bringing a group to NYC? Free planning services

Let us know what you are looking for and we will try to connect you directly and get discounts.

Enter the code: 3972

More Articles