Global Insight announced that New York City is the top U.S. city for total tourism spending. The Big Apple leaped up two spots from its 2006 ranking, overtaking Las Vegas and Orlando, FL. The claiming of first place was primarily boosted by international visitors.
Last year, New York gained nearly 1.5 million visitors from other countries, an increase of 3.3 percent. The record number of 46 million visitors collectively spent $28.85 billion, which was a gain of 16 percent since 2006.
“Despite the current national economic downturn, New York City’s tourism industry continues to be the silver lining in the City’s economy, sustaining the trend of positive growth” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization.
International markets represented 19 percent of all people taking trips in 2007 but accounted for 54 percent of total spending. More tourists with strong currencies came to New York. International spending rose to $15.5 billion (up from $12.37b in 2006), a net gain of 25 percent, while domestic spending gained 8 percent and reached $13.3 billion.