Staff Writer Destinations, New York, News, USA

NEW YORK ‘IS BACK’ – AND SO ARE CANADIANS

With final year-end totals of 864,000 Canadians forecast to have visited New York in 2023, Canada will reclaim its second-place ranking amongst top source markets for the Big Apple. Tops is the UK (974,000), while the rest of the top five includes France (728,000), Brazil (589,000) and Germany (554,000).

The overall arrivals numbers contribute to 10.8 million international visitors in 2023, marking a 14.9% year-over-year increase. In total, a final tally of 62 million visitors are forecast.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: New York City is back! And this year’s tourism numbers prove our economic recovery is coming back stronger than ever,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams, adding, “and we’re looking forward to welcoming even more visitors next year.”

“Throughout 2023, New York City saw a continued return to pre-pandemic travel patterns, reaffirming the industry’s place as a driver for the City’s economy with $74 billion in economic impact,” said New York City Tourism + Conventions President and CEO Fred Dixon. “Our city is as vibrant as ever. New attractions, cultural offerings, restaurants, a welcoming arrivals experience and more have helped NYC remain a top destination for domestic and international travellers.”

Transportation fast facts

  • New York City remains the largest point of entry to the US. It operates the world’s busiest airport system, with more than 2,900 weekly flight arrivals across John F. Kennedy international Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR),
  • LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Stewart International Airport (SWF). More flights arrive through New York City airports than any other destination in the United States.
  • Air traffic at LGA, JFK and EWR airports now exceeds pre-pandemic levels.
  • More than US$20 billion in investments are being made across JFK, EWR and LGA airports to improve the traveller experience:
  • LGA is undergoing an $8 billion transformation to a single, structurally unified main terminal with better transportation access and first-class passenger amenities—the first complete rebuild of a US airport in over 25 years. All remaining construction is slated for completion in 2024.
  • The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in collaboration with American Airlines and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield Airports, is launching a $125 million commercial redevelopment initiative for Terminal 8 at JFK. The project will introduce more than 60 new shopping and dining options, emphasizing local and diverse businesses, following a $400 million terminal expansion.
  • On Jan. 12, 2023, EWR debuted the updated $2.7 billion Terminal A, offering 33 new gates serving Air Canada, American Airlines, JetBlue and United Airlines customers, directly connected to a multilevel parking facility.
  • EWR is also working toward a new 5-km elevated guideway train system to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and ease traffic congestion.
  • The New York City subway system continued to rebound reaching a record 2.9 million paid rides on Saturday, December 9, representing the highest weekend day for ridership in four years.

Hotels 

  • Hotel performance remained strong in 2023, with an estimated 36.5 million room nights sold, approximately 8% below 2019 record levels.
  • New York City is again among the top three US markets and was the highest-performing hotel city in the US in the fourth quarter of 2023.
  • The demand for hotels remained strong and was supported by a steady increase in midweek business travel.
  • More than 70 new hotels creating more than 10,000 hotel rooms will be added to the City’s inventory in the next three years across the five boroughs.
  • Active or available hotel room inventory citywide continues to vary as hotels adjust to new marketplace conditions. As of December 2023, roughly 121,464 rooms were in active inventory.

Entertainment

  • The arts and culture sector continued to see the opening of new venues and exhibits.
  • The 2023-23 Broadway season saw 12.3 million admissions, 16.8% shy of the record-breaking 2018-19 season pre-Covid (the last complete season before the shutdown).
  • Broadway attendance was up 6% from 2022, while total grosses increased by 9% to $11 million.

Looking ahead  

  • America 250: In 2026, the US will celebrate 250 years since its founding. New York City will commemorate its status as the nation’s first capital, the birthplace of the American government and the place where the Bill of Rights was written.
  • FIFA 2026 World Cup: FIFA has announced New York/New Jersey as a host city for the 2026 World Cup. Additional details will be announced in the coming weeks, including which games will be held in the area.
  • New York City is currently on track to welcome 64.5 million visitors in 2024.