NEW YORK (defeo.biz) — New York City will welcome an all-time record 60.3 million visitors by year’s end, officials said today.
In doing so, the city will surpass the 60 million visitor milestone for the first time ever. It also represents the seventh consecutive year of travel and tourism growth for the city, officials said.
The new figure is 600,000 visitors higher than the original forecast of 59.7 million announced earlier this year, and 1.8 million more visitors than last year’s revised year-end figure of 58.5 million. Travel and tourism now sustains more than 375,000 jobs in New York City, representing a gain of 15,000 jobs over the last year, according to a news release.
“Not only has 2016 brought the largest number of visitors in New York City history, but it also caps off seven years of strong tourism growth and 15,000 more jobs for New Yorkers,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a news release. “More tourism means we have more people investing in New York City and are able to create more sustainable jobs for more people. New York is a culturally rich and diverse city, with so much to offer those who visit. I look forward to continue promoting this beautiful city and welcoming all those who visit in the future.”