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New York City expects to achieve its seventh consecutive year of record-breaking tourism in 2016 with visitor numbers up by more than one million.
Tourism body NYC & Company forecasts that arrivals will hit 59.7 million this year, up from 58.3 million in 2015.
Last year’s figures included a record 12.3 million international visitors – numbers that are set to rise by 400,000 in 2016.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said: “Every corner of New York City is full of diverse cultures, art, entertainment and performing arts.
“It is not surprising – but still exciting – to know that 2016 will be yet another record breaking year for tourism. I thank the businesses, artists and all New Yorkers who continue to make our city an attractive place for people around the world to continue visiting.”
The number of hotel rooms in the city is expected to rise by more than 26,000 to 133,000 by the end of 2019.
Notable new properties opening this year include the Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel, The William Vale, InterContinental New York Barclay, The Beekman, Four Seasons New York Downtown, Whitby Hotel and 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge.
Five hundred LinkNYC kiosks will come to New York City’s five boroughs by July offering free high-speed internet, phone calls and device charging, with another 4,500 coming online by mid-2019.
“New York City is experiencing an exciting moment in its history, with unprecedented developments and openings debuting across the five boroughs this year and beyond,” said Fred Dixon, NYC & Company president and chief executive.