NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — A new report from the New York State Comptroller office released Wednesday has revealed the full economic impact cause by the loss of tourism in New York City amid the pandemic.
In the afternoon, there was a few tourists lingering in Times Square but, New York City is still relatively quiet one year into the coronavirus pandemic.
“We're seeing signs that New York City is inching back,” says Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.
He notes that tourism fell by two-thirds last year dropping from about 66 million visitors to 22 million – a drop that will ultimately cost New York City billions.
“Tourists spent only $13 billion dollars in 2020, a 73%decline from the prior year, which will cost the city $1.2 billion in lost tax revenues,” DiNapoli said.
Additionally, employment in the tourism industry throughout the city also saw a significant drop amid the pandemic, as 89,000 jobs were lost since 2019.
“The tourism industry is a vital component of New York City's economy,” DiNapoli said. “Visitors and their spending are essential factors in measuring the health of the economy. The pandemic's damage to this industry has been staggering and it may take years before tourism returns to pre-pandemic levels.”
He has called on the city and the state to help with a safe reopening of the tourism industry and wants relief funds to be directed towards those who work in the hospitality and tourism industry.
DiNapoli says the keys to the city's comeback are COVID-19 safety guidelines and outdoor activities.
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