NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Times Square is flourishing again after two years of subdued activity during the pandemic.
“It looks like we really turned a corner in our recovery,” said Tom Harris, the president of the Times Square Alliance. “If we can do it in Times Square we can do it everywhere. The best is yet to come for Times Square and for New York City.”
Broadway shows are back, some restaurant owners say they’re surpassing pre-COVID numbers and a new hotel is under construction.
For the sixth week in a row, pedestrian counts surpassed 300,000 for the first time since the start of the pandemic, according to Harris.
There are currently 36 plays running on Broadway and the Broadway League recently ended its vaccine mandate for audience members.
Brian Moreland, the producer of three plays currently showing, said he doesn’t feel like Broadway is where it was before COVID-19, but that he’s optimistic about the current trajectory.
“It’s healthy. It’s alive. People are sitting in the seats. They’re buying tickets. Actors are on the stage doing what they love,” said Moreland. “New Yorkers are supporting Broadway. Tourists are supporting broadway. And we’re doing really well.”
While visitation rates are up, the rate for international tourists is still low compared to 2019. Domestic tourism is helping to pick up the slack though.
Sarah Beck and Adam King were recently visiting from Portland, Oregon.
“I’m happy to spend my money here and support the economy,” said Beck. She added that being vaccinated makes her feel more comfortable traveling.
Related
Related
