NYC Sees Record Tourist Numbers, But Growth Slowed

The Associated Press reports that Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that while New York City attracted a record number of visitors this year, the growth in the city's tourism industry has slowed amid a worldwide economic downturn.

Bloomberg stated that an estimated 47 million people visited the city in 2008 - a record high - beating last year by 1 million visitors. And those tourists generated $30 billion in spending, setting another record over last year's $28.9 billion.

But the increase is smaller than the jumps seen in previous years. Last year, the total visitor number was 46 million, up from 44 million in 2006. And that was a rise from 42.6 million in 2005.

The city says visitors from abroad account for the increase this year - a million more international tourists came to the city in 2008. Of course many of those tourists seek Broadway shows for their entertaiment, so the overall effect of the new record during the industry down turn should prove revealing.