NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Two years after New York City started its first lockdown, members of the tourism industry are optimistic about recovery.
“Thirty-five theaters full with an occupancy of over 80% of the seats? We’re back,” Broadway League President Charlotte St. Martin told 1010 WINS.
Bars, restaurants, theaters and other recreational venues were forced to close on March 22 2020 by an executive order in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Since that initial lockdown, the city has struggled to reopen and coax tourists back to the big apple.
Broadway officially reopened in September 2021 and has picked up steam since then.
There are currently 19 shows running on Broadway, and 16 more are scheduled to open soon.
“There’s this enormous sense of optimism, because we have 16 shows that are opening in March and April,” said St. Martin
Broadway has maintained its mask and vaccination mandate despite Mayor Eric Adams ending the mandates for the city in late February.
Chris Heywood of NYC & Company, the city’s official tourism bureau, said he expects 56 million visitors in New York City this year — just 10 million less than 2019.
“What I’m seeing is a relief,” Heywood told 1010 WINS. “The city is slowly coming back, and we are very bullish about the future.”
Related
Related
