07/02/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/02/2024 11:42
Tourism in New York state has grown post-pandemic but employment in tourism-related industries remains 4.3% below pre-pandemic levels, according to an analysis released by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The report found strong increases in domestic and international travelers to the state. In particular, visitors flocked to outdoor destinations, with attendance at state parks 9.1% higher in 2023 than 2020.
This is DiNapoli's third report on the tourism industry after the abrupt shutdown caused by the pandemic in 2020. During the pandemic, New York lost $10.9 billion in economic activity from travel and tourism, but by 2023, had fully recovered, and was $792 million higher than in 2019. In a report released in May, the State Comptroller found that tourism-related industries in New York City were nearly at a complete recovery, as visitor spending and tax revenue have surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
"Travelers from around the world are drawn to all corners of the state and keep coming back because they fall in love with New York. Tourism generates tens of billions in economic activity and employs many New Yorkers across the state," DiNapoli said. "New York is welcoming back tourists in big numbers after the pandemic, but the recovery is uneven, with some regions lagging. I encourage policymakers to review these trends and ensure the state's tourism programs are effectively promoting the unique experiences each region of the state has to offer."
Tourism generated $34 billion in direct economic activity and provided almost 417,000 jobs statewide in 2023, ranking New York second behind California in direct economic activity from industries related to tourism.
While tourism-related economic activity has fully recovered, employment in the sector remains lower in every region of the state. In 2020, nearly one-third of tourism-related jobs were lost. While employment bounced back by 36.6% from 2020 to 2023, it is still 4.3% below pre-pandemic levels. Total wages of $23.1 billion paid to those working in the industry were 6.9% higher in 2023 than in 2019, with an average annual salary of $55,500.
In 2023, the Mohawk Valley was still down 17% of its tourism-related jobs, followed by the North Country (-15.2%) and the Finger Lakes (-11.8%) with the lowest job recoveries. Long Island (-1%) and Central New York (-1.6%) are closest to their pre-pandemic levels.
Other key findings:
Report
Welcome Back to New York: An Analysis of Post-Pandemic Travel
NYC Tourism Reports
Tracking the Return: The Tourism Industry in NYC (2024)
The Tourism Industry in NYC: Reigniting the Return (2021)
Tourism Sector Dashboard