New York City’s tourism industry continues to recover, forecast to attract more than 61.7 million visitors in 2023.
In 2022 the number was approximately 56.4 million travelers visiting all five districts – an increase of 71.4% compared to 2021 (47.4 million domestic and 8.9 million international). This marks the 85% return of the city’s 2019 visitation record.
To help this recovery, the government is doing the NYC Winter Outing program through February 12, offering savings on winter experiences across all five boroughs. That includes prix-fixe NYC Restaurant Week menus at nearly 500 restaurants, 2-for-1 tickets to 22 NYC Broadway Week shows, and 2-for-1 tickets at more than 40 museums, attractions, tours, and performing arts for NYC Must-See Week. Also a part of Winter Outing, NYC Hotel Week is currently underway with 23% off standard retail rates at more than 140 hotels.
According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, whether you plan a staycation, date night, or visit our city, the NYC Winter Outing program has fantastic deals for all.
“By trying one of our world-renowned restaurants during NYC Restaurant Week, catching one of our iconic Broadway shows during NYC Broadway Week, visiting one of the thousands of unique attractions during NYC Must-See Week, or staying in a hotel in the best city in the world during NYC Hotel Week, you are supporting the economic engine that keeps our city running while sampling some of the best cultures and fare the world has to offer.”
The Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development, Maria Torres-Springer, affirms that NYC Winter Outing spotlights an incredible range of things to see, eat, and do each year across all five boroughs. “We invite visitors and New Yorkers alike to take full advantage of this exciting program over the next few weeks, support hundreds of businesses, and enjoy world-class offerings on dining, entertainment, arts, culture, and more across the city.”
The president and CEO of NYC & Company, Fred Dixon, said the program offers remarkable value on a wide range of popular experiences across the five boroughs, which translates into additional sales for restaurants, attractions, theater, small businesses, and hotels during the slower winter period. “We invite the world to explore the best of New York City this winter—enjoy world-class accommodations at 23% off; 2-for-1 tickets to Broadway, museums, attractions, performing arts, and tours; and discounted meals at restaurants and local eateries.”
Also, the NYC & Company Board Chair and Executive Vice President of The Shubert Organization, Charlie Flateman, said be very excited to have NYC Broadway Week combined with NYC Restaurant Week and NYC Must-See Week. “Each year, these programs create the ultimate value period for enjoying many of the City’s iconic experiences, and we look forward to inspiring visitors and locals to explore the five boroughs with this great selection of offers.”
The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment has partnered with NYC & Company for a second year to sponsor NYC Winter Outing, supporting participation fees for businesses across the boroughs in response to New York City’s ongoing tourism recovery. “We are proud to partner with NYC & Company to present NYC Winter Outing 2023, celebrating NYC’s world-class entertainment and hospitality,” said Anne del Castillo, Commissioner, Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. “This program invites locals and tourists alike to experience the rich and diverse offerings that make NYC so exciting.”
This year’s program is supported in collaboration with transportation partners, including official partner United Airlines, as well as Amtrak, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and NJ TRANSIT.
“We are happy to expand our partnership with NYC & Company to support the promotion of this great program that allows people to experience the best New York City has to offer,” said Nick Depner, Regional Sales Director at United Airlines. “Between our Newark/New York hub and LaGuardia Airport, we are a global gateway with many options for travelers who choose to fly to New York.”
NYC Restaurant Week Reservations Open
NYC Restaurant Week will offer prix-fixe two-course lunches and three-course dinners for $30, $45, and $60 at nearly 500 restaurants across all five boroughs. Mastercard cardholders who pre register here will receive a $10 statement credit when spending $45 or more per transaction (for up to 3 transactions, totaling a $30 rebate) on-site at participating NYC Restaurant Week eateries, subject to NYC Restaurant Week Winter 2023 terms and restrictions. A complete list of participating restaurants and reservations can be made at nycgo.com/restaurantweek.
Participating restaurants can be sorted at nycgo.com by filters including “location,” “cuisine,” “weeks participating,” “meals offered,” “accessibility,” “ownership” and more. Diners can also select restaurants by themes with assistance from various collections, including “Make It a Stella,” featuring Stella Artois, the official beer sponsor of NYC Restaurant Week Winter 2023; “James Beard Honorees”; “Wine Spectator Winners”; “NYC Restaurant Week Classics”; “Best of the Boroughs”; among others.
“New York is our home, and Mastercard is thrilled to partner with NYC & Company to help bring once-in-a-lifetime experiences that make our city so special to residents and guests,” said Rustom Dastoor, EVP of Marketing and Communications, North America, Mastercard. “Whether it’s a passion for fine dining, live entertainment or stays at iconic New York establishments, through NYC Winter Outing, we’re connecting cardholders to exclusive Priceless experiences to start the new year off with something memorable.”
NYC Broadway Week 2-for-1 Tickets on Sale
NYC Broadway Week will offer 2-for-1 tickets for 22 shows. New shows added for this year include & Juliet; A Beautiful Noise, the Neil Diamond Musical; Between Riverside and Crazy; Collaboration; Hamilton; Kimberly Akimbo; Pictures from Home; Some Like It Hot and Take Me Out. Returning shows for 2023 include Aladdin, Chicago, Funny Girl, Hadestown, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Leopoldstadt, MJ The Musical, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Six the Musical, The Book of Mormon, The Lion King, The Piano Lesson and Wicked.
Tickets can be booked at nycgo.com/broadwayweek. Participating Broadway Shows can be sorted at nycgo.com by filters including “Comedy,” “Drama,” “Kid-Friendly,” “Musical,” “Play,” and “Tony Award Winner.”
NYC Must-See Week 2-for-1 Tickets on Sale
NYC Must-See Week will offer 2-for-1 tickets at more than 40 museums, attractions, performing arts, and tours. This year’s participants include Carnegie Hall, Citi Field Tours, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Kings County Distillery, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York Botanical Garden, Summit One Vanderbilt, The Metropolitan Opera, and more.
Tickets can be booked at nycgo.com/mustseeweek.
NYC Hotel Week Reservations Open and Redeemable
NYC Hotel Week offers 23% off standard retail rates now through February 12 at more than 140 hotels across all five boroughs. New hotels on offer for 2023 include Hard Rock Hotel New York and Le Méridien New York, Fifth Avenue. Returning properties include The Hoxton, Williamsburg; Lotte New York Palace; The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel; The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue; New York Marriott Marquis; The William Vale; The Opera House Hotel; The Rockaway Hotel; Hilton Garden Inn New York/Staten Island; and more.
Hotels can be booked at nycgo.com/hotelweek.
VIVIANE FAVER
Journalist
vfaver@gmail.com