New York drew a record 52 million visitors in 2012, said NYC & Company, the city’s tourism-marketing organization. The visitor total is 2.1% higher than a year ago.
New York’s market share of international travelers increased 5 percentage points, from 28% to 33%, according to George Fertitta, NYC & Company’s CEO. Each market share point represents an additional $750 million in direct spending by tourists, NYC & Company said.
Tourist spending totaled $36.9 billion in 2012.
Markets with the rapidest growth in New York tourists since 2006 are Brazil (447%), China (442%), Argentina (258%) and Australia (157%).
The city set another record by selling 29 million hotel room nights in 2012, generating $504 million in hotel tax revenue. Hotel occupancy was 87% for the year, NYC & Company said.