Page 12 - The Indian EYE 011025

COMMUNITY OP-ED JANUARY 10, 2025 | The Indian Eye 12

Almost 65 million reasons why New York

City tourism is Back with a bang

In 2024, nearly 65 million visitors came to New York City — the second-highest figure in our city’s

history and a 3.5 percent increase from 2023. New York City remains the global capital for restaurants,

shopping, sports, and entertainment, and we are currently on pace to hit an all-time record high in 2025

ERIC ADAMS

he hospitality and tourism in-
dustry are the lifeblood of New
T York City’s economy. When we
came into office three years ago, our
city was emerging from the depths
of the pandemic. Streets were empty
and businesses were struggling to sur-
vive — and our tourism industry was
hit hard. But our administration went
to work to build a safer, more afford-
able city for working-class New York-
ers and their families. We worked to
revitalize our commercial corridors,
fill vacant storefronts, and boost eco- This past year alone, tourists and visitors generated an economic impact of $79 billion across the city and the state, supporting 388,000 jobs in
nomic recovery across the board.
Today, our economy has seen a leisure and hospitality (Representative/File photo)
comeback like no other, with record
job numbers and small businesses, record numbers. Visitor spending also was down 5.4 percent year to date, Millions of tourists continue to visit
and our streets and subways are safer. generated more than $6.8 billion in and we surpassed 1 billion subway Times Square and are often targeted
Most significantly, our tourism indus- tax revenue, which helped save each trips in 2024. by illegal vendors and pedicabs, put-
try is back, and it is booming. New York City household around More specifically, our “Commu- ting tourists’ safety at risk and under-
In 2024, nearly 65 million visitors $2,000 in 2024. And we can’t wait nity Link” initiative — which works mining legitimate business trying to
came to New York City — the sec- to welcome the world in 2026 to the with multiple agencies, as well as make a living. That is why earlier this
ond-highest figure in our city’s history biggest stage in New York City and community partners — is taking on year we launched “Operation Front
and a 3.5 percent increase from 2023. New Jersey for the FIFA World Cup. quality-of-life issues such as ghost cars, Door,” a targeted operation focusing
New York City remains the glob- The strength of our tourism illegal smoke shops, and keeping our on quality-of-life issues in and around
al capital for restaurants, shopping, industry shows the strength of our streets safe and clean. This initiative Times Square.
sports, and entertainment, and we are economy and is the result of our ef- has been extraordinarily successful We are taking decisive action to
currently on pace to hit an all-time re- forts to invest in working-class New in the Times Square area — issuing keep our city safe and more livable
cord high in 2025. Yorkers while taking on crime and over 15,900 summonses, conducting for New Yorkers, tourists, and busi-
This past year alone, tourists and quality-of-life issues. We know that a over 1,070 operations, and resolving nesses. As we welcome thousands of
visitors generated an economic im- thriving tourism industry cannot ex- nearly 730 complaints since launching visitors to Times Square to watch the
pact of $79 billion across the city and ist without public safety. That is why, in May 2023. New Year’s Ball drop and ring in 2025,
the state, supporting 388,000 jobs in this past year, we surged police into Times Square is the “Crossroads we will continue to deliver safety and
leisure and hospitality. Our small our transit system to take on subway of the world” and the front door and affordability for working-class New
businesses and minority- and wom- crime so New Yorkers and tourists the welcome mat to our city — a place Yorkers every day, everywhere.
en-owned businesses across the five would not just be safe but feel safe where the hospitality, entertainment, Eric Adams is the Mayor of
boroughs have benefited from these as well. And, as a result, transit crime tourism, and business industries meet. New York City, NY

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