Category Archives: NY Tourism

New York: Bringing Back the Tourists

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It is time for tourists to start touring again. We’ve had over 18 months of extremely reduced travel but now that the vaccines are widespread and numbers are going down, it is important for people to start traveling again…both for business and leisure.

In fact, getting people back to New York has become such a huge mission that print media throughout the world (England, Canada, Europe and Asia) have been publishing ads promoting the art scene in New York.  The wording in the ad reads:

“We reopened in August 2020, but have been missing one critical thing — you, our international visitors. The Met is only The Met when it is being enjoyed daily by visitors from around the world.”

This kind of ad is not something that is generally done.  Global advertisements like this do not really have a place in the promotion of city’s museums. But with the borders reopening (having been closed since March 2020 more-or-less), it is time for people to come back.  As we know, leisure and tourism were two industries that probably suffered the most because of the pandemic, so now it is crucial that anything that can facilitate their return be put in place.  Global Communications VP at NYC& Company, Chris Hopwood said:

“It’s crucial that we recover this segment. Arts and culture are going to lead our recovery. That is the backbone.”

The $450 million “Bring Back Tourism, Bring Back Jobs” recovery package for the tourism industry that Governor Kathy Hochul just announced at the Museum of Natural History will be sure to be helpful too.  Hochul pointed out that the entire industry is indicative of what makes New York unique and without it coming back, “New York can’t come back.”

Let’s hope the tourism and leisure industries in New York come back better than ever.

Christmas in the Montauk Colony

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With Christmas approaching, many hard working New Yorkers are considering how to spend the upcoming holidays.  Just over 100 miles from the big NYC noise is the Montauk Colony area, offering vacationers a tranquil getaway nestled in a beachy paradise.

To begin the vacation on the right foot, travel via the LIRR (Long Island Rail Road) for a relaxing journey and take in the picturesque landscape. While the area is best known for its summer vacations, Christmas can be a good time to go as well. Specifically, Montauk’s lighthouse undergoes a complete transformation, taking a step away from its traditional maroon and white décor that graces the iconic tower the rest of the year.

You can get into the holiday spirit by booking a stay at Gurney’s Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa.  Early this month they hosted an event which included Christmas karaoke and cookie decorating. There is also the Santa Crawl hosted at the Daunts Albatross Hotel.  The $20 donation included a buffet with proceeds going to the Montauk Playhouse Foundation & Contractors for Kids.

Over the Christmas period the Surf Lodge is an attractive place to eat, with its fire pit, live musical performances and stunning sunset view. Unique ambience can also be enjoyed at The Crow’s Nest or for those looking for something different there is a fabulous dessert spot – the Buddha Berry located on South Euclid Avenue. They offer flavorful, organic and healthy sweets such as frozen yogurt with superfood toppings, custom-blended smoothies, buckwheat Belgian waffles and more.

Christmas in the Montauk Colony area can make for a spectacular, unforgettable vacation.

 

 

 

New York Tourists Keep on Coming

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NYtouristWhich is of course great for the economy. Indeed, the Mayor increased NYC spending on tourism promotion last year. He is considering repeating this for 2015. And it seems like it’s working since there was over 2 million additional tourists to the city from 2013 to 2014. Indeed, the amount of tourists has been increasing quite steadily since the petering out of the recession, going above and beyond the goals the city officials are setting. As a result the economy is benefiting too.

The weak US dollar definitely had something to do with this. Brazilian tourists started filling up cases with everyday items. But now that the dollar is coming back, some of the buying power will decrease, so the promotional side of NYC tourists is tapping into places like China. Over 740,000 visitors from China came last year, which is actually close to five times the amount that came in 2009.

Because the economy seems to be improving in general in New York, lots of industries are enjoying the repercussions. For example, there has been somewhat of an escalation in purchasing at US museums. According to Hudson River Museum director Michael Botwinick:

“Donors have recovered their sense of financial well-being. Museum endowments are healthier. Donors and museum directors feel freer with money than they had just a few years back.”

Thus it should not be surprising that a recent Siena College Research Institute poll found that only one out of six CEOs in New York are negative about the economic future.

Stand by: New York is coming back. It’s time to hop on that plane and reap the rewards of the City that never sleeps.