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City Hall is putting $6 million toward a media campaign to bring tourism back to New York now that the United States lifted its COVID-19 restrictions on foreign visitors, officials announced Tuesday.
Part of that effort is a new “It’s time for New York City” tourism campaign, formed in partnership with British Airways, which includes billboards being installed in the UK to promote eight daily flights to Gotham, said Fred Dixon, head of NYC & Company, an organization that promotes tourism in the Big Apple.
“We’re so happy to have this promotion in the market to create urgency to come to New York City now,” Dixon said during the mayor’s virtual press briefing, noting that international travelers account for 20 percent of visitors to the city but 50 percent of spending and 50 percent of hotel room nights.
“This is a pivotal moment in our tourism recovery overall and really the final piece of the puzzle that we needed to rebuild tourism.”
Prior to Monday, restrictive travel rules first imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration in March 2020 had banned access to non-US citizens traveling from 33 countries, including much of Europe. Travelers from Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, Italy, Brazil and South Korea are also able to fly to the US, provided they show proof of inoculation against the coronavirus and a negative test within 72 hours.
On Monday, tourists were allowed to enter the US again — if they could show proof of vaccination and a negative COVID test within 72 hours of flying — prompting emotional reunions at city airports and tourists making their long-delayed trips to the five boroughs.
Dixon said 257 international flights arrived at Big Apple airports the first day.
“People are coming here because it’s a great place to be and it’s a safe place to be, because we’re vaccinated. This is the safest place to be in the United States of America, and the travelers are voting with their feet, they’re coming here. We welcome travelers from all around the world,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio during the Tuesday morning news conference.
“We’re particularly anxious to see those travelers back from the UK, [a] great bond we share with the people of the UK. We want to see them come here, and we have this great partnership going with British Airways.”
Claire Bentley, who serves as managing director of British Airways’ Holidays department, gushed that Brits have been “clamoring” to pay a visit to the five boroughs, citing statistics that indicated visits to British Airways’ website for trips to the Big Apple are up 70 percent compared to two years ago.
“The USA and within that New York is our single most important destination for British Airways and travelers overseas. People have been clamoring to rebook and get back to New York City,” said Bentley. “I noticed on the streets yesterday people are really welcoming us back with open arms, so a huge thank you for that.”
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