864,000 Canadians expected this year
BOB MOWAT
Start spreading the news… New York City is on a roll and as 2023 winds down, expectations for 2024 are high.
Britt Hijkoop, vice president, communications international for New York City Tourism +Conventions, was in Canada this week, spreading the word that business is booming, with the city projecting that it will welcome 7 million visitors between U.S. Thanksgiving and New Year’s.
And the city’s visitor numbers have been progressively improving, with Hijkoop telling Travel Courier that in 2011, New York City welcomed 66.7 million; in 2022, visitor numbers rose to 56.7 million; and it is expected to hit the 60 million mark in 2023.
As for Canada – which is New York City’s second largest international market – Hijkoop said that it is bouncing back. In 2019, 987,000 Canadians visited New York City and in 2023, projections indicate the city will welcome 864,000 Canadians.
And while she admits that there is still work to be done in certain international markets, Hijkoop made it clear that overall, things are going well. In fact, she observed that the 2023 Holiday Season ‘feels normal.’
And that’s good news.
On the travel trade side of things, New York City Tourism +Conventions relaunched its NYC Travel Trade Academy in the spring of this year.
Available in 10 languages, the six-part online training program features training modules for each of the city’s five boroughs, plus one module offering updates. At the end of each module there is a test. Advisors who successfully complete all six modules will receive an NYC Destination Specialist certificate.
Hijkoop told Travel Courier that New York City Tourism +Conventions has been focussing on getting more of the travel trade to take the course and refresh their knowledge of the city.
While price is on the mind of a lot of travellers these days, Hijkoop pointed out that under the banner, NYC Winter Outing, the city is bringing a quartet of offerings to market that provide value for money to its visitors in the New Year.
New York City Hotel Week is set to run from Jan. 3 through Feb. 3, 2024, bringing together over 160 hotels with offerings that feature 24% off their rates.
There is a real range of properties, Hijkoop points out, and they appeal to a variety of tastes and budgets.
As well, New York City Restaurant Week begins on Jan. 16, featuring prix fixe menus at hundreds of the city’s restaurants.
NYC Broadway Week also begins Jan. 16, continuing to Feb. 4, with two-for-one tickets to a wide range of shows, while NYC Must-See Week features two-for-one offers at attractions, museums, performing arts and tours.
All in all, there’s a lot on offer in New York City in 2024.
