Flights from Norwegian and Thomas Cook Airlines have given more UK customers the impetus to visit New York, according to the chief executive of the city’s tourism body NYC & Company.
Speaking at the IPW conference in Orlando, Fred Dixon said the flights offered a good value proposition which was matched by the introduction of more affordable accommodations both in Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs.
Visitor numbers from the UK are projected to rise to 1.172 million in 2015, up from 1.139 million in 2014 and representing a third consecutive year of growth.
Dixon said: “With a mature market of the size of the UK, you don’t see major percentage changes year-on-year, but we are pleased that numbers continue to increase and we believe the new air services and new product across the city are helping to drive that.
New attractions and openings in New York include the One World Observatory, a three-storey observation deck at One World Trade Center which opened on May 29 in what Dixon described as a ‘seminal’ moment.
A consumer campaign designed to showcase the appeal of visiting New York in summer is due to run in the coming months in association with Virgin Atlantic and Delta.
And NYC & Company has also been working closely with JFK airport to improve the entry process.
Dixon said: “The government and industry have committed to improving the welcome experience at our major airports, but that has to focus on JFK.
“If you are getting it wrong in your single biggest volume airport you really haven’t succeeded, so the work we are doing to beautify the space is really important alongside improvements in the welcome process.”