Page last updated: 05 August 2024
New York, known as “The City That Never Sleeps” and “The Big Apple,” continuously draws millions of visitors annually with its vibrant culture, historic landmarks, and bustling city life.
How many tourists visit New York each year?
New York City attracts approximately 60 million tourists annually, excluding the year influenced by the pandemic.
In 2023, the city welcomed 62.2 million total visitors, with 11.1 million coming from other countries and 51.1 million from within the United States.
The forecast for the following years anticipates further growth, with NYC expecting to welcome 64.8 million tourists in 2024 and 68.1 million visitors in 2025.
- Before the pandemic, international visitor numbers were higher. The city had 13.6 million international visitors in 2018 and 13.5 million in 2019.
- However, as the global pandemic took hold in 2020, New York witnessed a sharp decline to 2.4 million international visitors.
- International visitor numbers started to rise again in 2021, reaching 2.7 million, jumping to 9.4 million in 2022, and climbing further to 10.8 million in 2023.1
How much do visitors spend in New York every year?
Visitors generated over $74 billion for New York’s economy in 2023.
- In 2019, visitors spent $73.6 billion. However, with fewer visitors in 2020, this figure dropped to $33.9 billion.
- An increase was seen in 2021, with visitors contributing over $52 billion to the city’s economy despite relatively lower visitor numbers.
- The trend of recovery continued in the following years, with the economic impact of visitors growing to $78.7 billion in 2022 but decreasing slightly to $74 billion in 2023.2
Where do visitors to New York come from?
- In 2023, the United Kingdom remained the primary source of international visitors to New York, with over 1.03 million British travellers, followed closely by Canada (995,000), France (759,000), Brazil (637,000), and Italy (582,000).
How many people visited New York in 2022?
A total of 56.7 million people visited the city in 2022, with 47.3 million domestic visitors and 9.4 million international visitors.
- The 9.4 million international tourists in 2022 represented a 248% increase compared to the previous year, yet still below pre-pandemic levels of 13.5 million in 2019.
How much did tourists spend in New York in 2022?
- Visitors spent $78.7 billion in New York in 2022. This was a 51% increase from 2021 and aligned closely with 2019’s pre-pandemic visitor spending levels.
Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic in New York Tourism: 2020 & 2021
- In 2020, the number of visitors fell to 22.3 million from 66.6 million in 2019, a drop of approximately 66%. This decrease also marked a decline of approximately 54% in spending, from $73.6 billion in 2019 to $33.9 billion in 2020.
- In 2021, there was a slight increase in figures, with 32.9 million visitors who contributed over $52 billion to the city’s economy.
When is the best time to visit New York?
- The best time to visit New York for good weather is May to June and September to October. During these months, the weather is stable and warm with little rain.
- However, the best time to visit New York for affordability is from early January to early March. This period offers the best combinations of low prices on flights, hotels, and Broadway shows.
How long do people stay in New York?
- A minimum visit of 3 days and 2 nights is required to fully experience New York’s key attractions, including the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and Central Park, according to the consensus among travellers.3
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How popular is New York as a tourist destination?
- New York City ranked #1 as the most popular destination in the United States and ranked #8 among city destinations in the world in 2023. It is the only US destination to win a global prize, highlighting its global appeal and significance as a must-visit city for travellers.4
- Read more about World Tourism Rankings
Why do people visit New York?
- New York City attracted 62.2 million visitors in 2023. Of these, 50.4 million were leisure visitors, coming for attractions, culture, and entertainment. The remaining 11.8 million were business travellers, attending conferences, meetings, and other work events, showcasing New York’s role as a key business centre.
What to visit in New York?
- Statue of Liberty: Beyond its iconic stature, the Statue of Liberty stands as a profound symbol of freedom that echoes globally.
- Central Park: An urban sanctuary, offering tranquil landscapes and picturesque views for a serene escape.
- Times Square: The epitome of New York’s vibrant atmosphere, with its ceaseless energy, bright lights, and giant billboards.
- Broadway: The pinnacle of live theatre and musicals, showcasing the best of American stage performances.
- Brooklyn Bridge: This historic structure offers stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and is cherished by locals and visitors.
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