Tourism is a vital part of New York City’s economy, generating billions of dollars and supporting thousands of jobs. However, since the outbreak of COVID-19, tourism has taken a severe hit across the city. Let’s take a look at how much tourism is down in NYC.
The Impact of COVID-19 on NYC Tourism
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the entire world’s economy and New York City’s tourism industry is not an exception. The city that never sleeps came to a standstill when it had to shut down all its tourist attractions, including museums, theaters, restaurants and other venues that attract millions of visitors every year.
The Numbers
According to NYC & Company – the official destination marketing organization for the five boroughs of New York City – tourism in New York City is projected to have dropped by 66% in 2020. This represents a loss of $60 billion in economic activity and around 520,000 jobs.
Visitor Demographics
While tourists from all over the world have been affected by travel restrictions due to the pandemic, NYC has seen a significant drop in domestic visitors as well. Notably, domestic visitation dropped by 72% in 2020 while international visitation fell by 80%.
Recovery Efforts
NYC & Company has launched several initiatives aimed at promoting tourism again once it is safe to do so. These include their “All In NYC” campaign which encourages locals to support local businesses and attractions during these challenging times. Additionally, they are also working on developing new safety protocols for hotels and other businesses and launching marketing campaigns Targeted towards regions where travel restrictions have been lifted.
Conclusion
The impact of COVID-19 on NYC’s tourism industry has been significant with projected losses running into billions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of jobs. While the city is taking steps towards recovery, it remains to be seen how long it will take for the industry to fully bounce back. However, with the resilience of New Yorkers and the creativity of businesses and organizations across the city, there is hope for a brighter future.