NYC Tourism Hits Record High In 2015
January 24, 2016
The number of tourists visiting New York City rose to a record high in 2015, with nearly 60 million people visiting the biggest city in the United States.
The tourism boom continued apace even though last year brought an increase in security threats, fuelling concern that domestic attacks carried out by sympathisers of the militant group IS were possible in New York.
Following the Paris attacks in November that killed 130 as well as the December shooting in San Bernardino that killed 14, New York City officials repeatedly sought to reassure the public that the city was equipped to handle any threat.
New York's counterterrorism apparatus was out in full force for signature events such as the Thanksgiving Day Parade and New Year's Eve celebrations in Times Square, which drew more than 1 million people to Manhattan to ring in 2016.
"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," Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement.
The city's more than 100,000 hotel rooms saw a record number of bookings in 2015, according to the city’s official tourism and marketing arm, NYC & Company.
About one-fifth, or 12 million, of the out-of-town visitors were from abroad, with the highest numbers from the UK, Canada, Brazil and China.
New York is the most popular destination in the United States for international travel.