New York City’s tourism industry is booming, with nearly 65 million visitors in 2024—its second-highest total ever. Early projections suggest 2025 could break records, further cementing tourism’s role as a $79 billion industry that supports nearly 400,000 jobs. 

The Surrey’s reopening on the Upper East Side last fall set the tone, and now, other legendary hotels are following suit. The Four Seasons New York, The Waldorf Astoria, and Hotel Elysée are all set to reopen, bringing back some of the city’s most iconic hospitality destinations.

With demand surging and the ban on Airbnb in place, hotels throughout the city are racing to keep pace by adding thousands of new rooms to accommodate the influx. NYC’s hotel market is poised for a record-breaking year.

(data source: City Realty, picture: Nelson Ndongala)