New York City Announces Sixth Consecutive Year of Record Tourism Growth with 58.3 Million Visitors in 2015

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, along with NYC & Company, the official destination marketing organization for the City of New York, has announced today that 2015 was the sixth consecutive year of record year of record tourism growth, as the city welcomed 58.3 million visitors.

"Through the hard work of NYC & Company, and their support of the City's various attractions-from restaurants to the performing arts and more-2015 marked a new milestone for NYC tourism. As the safest and most exciting big city in America, we have so many rich offerings that continue to make the five boroughs a global draw," said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The number breaks down into 46 million domestic and 12.3 million international visitors, both all-time highs. Hotel demand was also strong with a record 33.7 million hotel room-nights sold, and meeting and convention delegates reached new heights, with a total 6.1 million attendees.

The announcement was made by NYC & Company President and CEO Fred Dixon and Chairman of the Board of Directors Emily K. Rafferty during NYC & Company's Executive Committee meeting this morning.

"The City continues to evolve, always offering fresh reasons to visit again and again, with more new developments on the horizon," says Dixon. "However, with the continuing pressure on the global economy and the strengthening dollar, we will all need to work even harder in 2016 to sustain our competitive edge."

"The City has unparalleled vibrancy and energy and offers a multitude of options throughout all five boroughs," agrees Rafferty.

New attractions that opened in New York during 2015 include the Whitney Museum of American Art, Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, One World Observatory, Brookfield Place, Kings Theatre, High Bridge and Staten Island Museum at Snug Harbor. Additionally, the 7 subway line was extended to Manhattan's Far West Side at 34th Street and Eleventh Avenue and Queens benefited from being named the number one US destination by Lonely Planet. To commemorate these enhancements, NYC & Company held events around the globe to promote all these new openings under the banner of the "new New York."

In November NYC & Company also announced its latest tourism campaign, Unlock NYCTM, to promote winter travel to the City's five boroughs (info at nycgo.com/unlock). This winter, NYC & Company is also promoting its winter vibrancy programs, targeting visitors and locals. NYC Restaurant Week®, running through February 5, includes $25 three-course lunches and $38 three-course dinners at more than 370 participating restaurants throughout all five boroughs (info at nycgo.com/restaurantweek). NYC Broadway WeekSM, offering two-for-one tickets at nearly 30 Broadway shows, runs through February 5, and NYC Off-Broadway WeekSM, also offering two-for-one tickets, runs February 1-14 (tickets went on sale January 19).

Of the City's four largest international markets-UK, Canada, Brazil and China-all demonstrated growth last year, with China showing the largest rate of growth, a 14 percent increase to an estimated 852,000 visitors. Preliminary estimates of 2015 visitation figures from the City's four largest international markets are: UK (1.192 million); Canada (1.072 million); Brazil (926,000); and China (852,000).

Visit http://www.nycandcompany.org/