New York City Reports Record 50.5 Million Visitors in 2011

New York City ended the year with a new record of 50.5 million visitors, slightly higher than the 50.2 million estimated visitors announced in December, according to NYC & Company, the city’s convention and visitors bureau.

The city welcomed 40.2 million domestic visitors and 10.3 million international visitors. The overall figure is an increase of 3.5 percent over the 2010 figure of 48.8 million visitors. Visitor spending reached an estimated $32 billion, up from $31.5 billion in 2010.

Hotel occupancy closed with a year-end average of 85 percent. A record 27.15 million room nights were sold through the end of the year, a 5 percent gain over 2010 levels. Airport arrivals through November were 48.4 million, a 1.4 percent increase over 2010.

Non-commuter Amtrak arrivals through the end of the year rose 7.4 percent to 4.27 million. Attendance at a selection of cultural venues and tourist attractions reached a record 21.9 million visitors in 2011, a 3.4 percent increase over 2010.