We knew there would be speed bumps on the road to recovery and we're experiencing a few now. Caution over the Delta variant, rising case loads in non-vaccinated parts of the country, the CDC's new recommendations, and the continuing restrictions on international travel are all hitches on our way. But they're just hitches. The city's attractiveness to visitors remains strong. The full lineup for the August 21st Homecoming Concert has been announced and it's phenomenal. Expect to see tourists flowing into the city for that event, in addition to many more upcoming returns and openings:
- The Louis Armstrong House Museum has reopened for in-person tours
- Non-Fiction at the Bryant Park Reading Room is back with in-person talks
- The fastest way between Manhattan and Boston: seaplane service via New York Skyport launches August 3rd
- The World’s Biggest Applebee’s at 50th St. and Broadway re-opens August 4th, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks (and booking groups and events again)
- The Museum at FIT reopens August 6th
- Arthouse cinema The Paris Theater reopens August 6th
- The Dragon Boat Festival is back—nation's oldest and largest returns to Queens on August 7th
- On top of The Homecoming Concert in Central Park, additional concerts announced for NYC Homecoming Week starting August 16th
- After a year and a half, Carmine's to reopen in early September
- The age of cannabis tourism begins? Immersive experience The Stone Age to open in Chelsea September 15th (cannabinoid goodie bag included)
- Greenwich Village’s creative history to inspire 3rd annual The Village Trip Festival, September 18th-26th
- Joel Coen’s The Tragedy of Macbeth will have its world premiere for opening night of the 59th New York Film Festival on September 24th
- Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition coming to NYC September 30th
- Open House New York Weekend is back in person, October 16th-17th
- New art fair The Art Show comes to the Park Avenue Armory November 4th-7th
- Christmas Spectacular Starring The Radio City Rockettes is back for a November 5th-January 2nd run
A recent Crain's article notes that city hotels are at their busiest since the pandemic began. Among other upticks, there's the Statue of Liberty (up 22% over late June), MoMA more than doubled its weekly attendance between May and the start of July, and the Met was up 50% from early May to mid-June. It's not 2019, yet, but the direction is good.
roof at 66 park atop The Kitano Hotel New York is NY’s newest top spot for light bites, signature drinks with a great mixologist, & both indoor & outdoor options.
LINKS OF INTEREST
NYC
- Circa 1789 soba spot Sarashina Horii opens first outpost outside of Japan in the Flatiron
- NoMad's MS. KIM'S Lounge & Private Karaoke now in soft open mode
- Artisanal cocktail lounge Philomena’s opening in Williamsburg August 4th
- Eleven Madison Park and Frenchie alums to open One White Street in a Tribeca townhouse August 5th
- L.A.-based Vogue Fashion Fund Finalist label RtA is opening their first NYC location in SoHo, August 7th
- MyPlanet Living Center launches high-end interior design showroom in Red Hook
- 25 Ways to Make the Post-Pandemic City More Livable, Prosperous, and Just
BEYOND NYC
- Study shows Americans returning to live entertainment
- Delta variant not diluting United Airlines resurgence (or plans for a blockbuster 2022)
- When will travel return? Industry insiders predict 2023
- Business travel stirs, but full return may be years away
- 20% of hotel jobs may go
- Boutique hotels may bounce back better than rivals
CLOSING TIME
- Volare Restaurant in the Village closes after many decades
- No. 7 Restaurant in Fort Greene closes—but with new Prospect Heights location on the way
NYC TOURISM IS BACK, START SPREADING YOUR NEWS
Will you join NYC's tourism community in reconnecting? On Monday, August 30th, ascend to One World Observatory as the city's tourism industry gathers to partner. General managers, concierge, influencers, bloggers, restaurateurs, BID leaders, and many more will come together against the backdrop of some of the city's greatest views. The evening will also support charitable causes The Actors Fund, NYCAHC Charitable Fund (concierges), and the HANYC Foundation (hotel industry). New Yorkers know that we all do better when we work together. Take the next step to rebuild, join us at the fall industry kickoff from the top of the world!
THIS WEEK’S DATA FROM EVERYTHING TO DO FACEBOOK GROUP
Looking for on-the-round reporting about the city? Everything To Do NYC Facebook Group brings together 44,000 city superfans sharing what they're experiencing around town. This week we polled the group about hosting plans—a solid majority were looking forward to guests. The group continues to be highly engaged. A recent question about NYC beaches was good for over 400 comments. ETD provides a great forum to get a read on what tourists and locals are thinking, and to market your venue. If you're not a member yet, join us.
HSMAI SUMMER BASH
Summer Bash is back and it will be better than ever. Join your industry colleagues from HSMAI Greater NY, MPI Greater NY, NYSAE, Live Events Coalition, ILEA NYC, PCMA New York, YEP, NYC & Company, SITE Northeast, Skal Club of NY, and others for what is destined to be one the finest hospitality networking events of the year. Margaritaville Resort Times Square, August 17th, 6-9pm.
