The long-awaited return of international travelers has begun. Inbound bookings jumped 93% during the past six weeks compared with 2021; and they're not looking for beaches—NYC and other cities are the main destinations. Canada, Germany, France, and Brazil are the top source markets; Japan and China have also joined, increasing by 8% and 28% respectively in just the past four weeks. Search engine Jetcost has some additional data:
- 250% search increase for flights year to date
- 330% search increase for hotels year to date
- Searches for August 2022 holidays are 30% above pre-pandemic levels
- NYC is the #1 search for US vacations, across Germans, French, Spaniards, Italians, Dutch, Portuguese, and British
- For US tourist searches, New York is also #1, beating out every other destination in the world
SPENDING
- The McKinsey US Summer Travel 2022 Report shows leisure travel is booming. 68% of respondents say they're traveling this summer "no matter what" (lots of good data here, including travel's near top spot on what people would do with a big lottery win).
- AmEx has raised its revenue forecast on surging travel spending; pent-up tourism demand has been a major driver, augmented by a recovery in international and corporate travel.
- The world's largest travel agency reports 2022 sales have already hit an all-time high; that reflects an 88% increase over pre-pandemic numbers.
- Americans are prioritizing travel and using more vacation days.
- Inflation isn't stopping travelers—airline ticket intentions show mid-sized price increases don't change plans.
- Covid isn't stopping travelers either, 57% of respondents said that they are “not concerned” or “not very concerned” about the disease as they make plans.
- Foot traffic data shows NYC's domestic tourism recovery is at 87% of 2019 levels.
- Times Square foot traffic for June was also at 87% of 2019, the highest recovery point of the Covid era (and a big step up from the 48% recorded in January).
- The latest projections from city tourism officials anticipate a 207% increase in international tourists year over year, and a 70% overall increase when domestic visitors are added in.
Even the "new normal" of travel can be turned to a positive, as tourists are seeking out exciting experiences to counteract the frustrations of their journeys. NYC can definitely help with that.
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt celebrated its One Millionth guest last Friday. Open just nine months, the milestone shows the brisk pace of NYC's tourism recovery. The lucky One Millionth Guest at SUMMIT received a $5,000 cash prize, in partnership with TD Bank, a private guided tour, and a memorable journey in Ascent, the world’s largest external glass elevator—soaring 1,200 feet above Midtown Manhattan.
CELEBRATING NYC TOURISM INDUSTRY'S BEST
Do You Have a Staffer Who Deserves to Be Honored?
The Intrepid Museum and City Guide will be hosting the NYC Tourism Fall Kickoff on Tuesday, September 20th. The theme is celebrating "behind the scenes" individuals who have made NYC tourists' experiences most enjoyable. These are the unsung heroes who have worked hard over the course of their tourism careers and deserve a shout out—greeters, ushers, concierge, doormen, maître d's, front desk, marketing people, and other front line or back office staff.
Honorees Will Receive:
- Award
- Free ticket to event
- Personal highlight in Commemorative Journal
- Facebook post in Tourism Industry Professionals Facebook Group
- Recognition and signage at the Fall Kickoff event
Your staff and the nominee will appreciate the acknowledgement of their dedication. Nominate them today, it's FREE. Deadline is Friday, August 12th.
NYC Tourism Fall Kickoff
Tuesday, September 20th 5:30-8pm
Intrepid Museum | West 46th Street/12th Avenue
Recognition Ceremony @ 7pm
LINKS OF INTEREST
NYC
- Jackie Robinson Museum finally opens
- Wait, LaGuardia is nice now?
- Russ & Daughters, Maialino, Mermaid Inn reopening
- Popular Japanese store Daiso opens first Manhattan location
HOTELS
- Ritz-Carlton's second New York hotel new open
- RIU Hotel now open In Times Square
- Radio Hotel now open in Washington Heights
- Historic Hudson Hotel to be converted to apartments
- Hotel Carter to be reborn
- Hourly hotel Liberty Inn to end its run
- Hilton has raised its 2022 profit forecast on strong travel demand
- Marriott reports big rebound for group travel along with continued leisure boom
- Overall hotel recovery continues
BEYOND NYC
- Will inflation stunt travel spending rush?
- Experiential travel and revisits top list of US travel priorities
- Micro-cation trend emerging this summer
- No evidence monkeypox will inhibit travel
CLOSING TIME
- Central Park Boathouse shutting down after brief reopening
- Danny Meyer passes the torch at Union Square Hospitality Group
CITY GUIDE CONCIERGE NIGHTS
City Guide concierge nights are back in full force, including a recent outing to Amateur Night at The Apollo. City Guide's Eli Marcus, hotel friends, and Billy “Apollo” Mitchell, historian and tour director of The Apollo for many decades, are pictured here.
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