Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1541144
20 B M & T ••• November/December 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com JULIE COKER, PRESIDENT/CEO, NEW YORK CITY TOURISM + CONVENTIONS Economic and political factors continue to slow New York City's full travel recovery, with international tourism facing per- sistent headwinds— from federal visa delays and Canad- ian travel advisories to public safety perceptions. Broader economic conditions have also tempered business travel recovery, a key concern since business travelers typically stay longer and spend more. Business travel represents about 20% of NYC's annual visitation. While it remained stable through mid-2025, growth has softened amid global uncer- tainty. The city expects 64.7 million visi- tors in 2025, comprised of 52.4 million domestic and 12.3 million international visitors. NYC Tourism + Conventions launch-ed "Where the World Comes to Play," a global campaign in 20 markets through June 2026 ahead of the FIFA World Cup. Inviting sports and culture fans and travelers to experience the world's most diverse and dynamic des- tination. Runn-ing concurrently with our "Founded By NYC" platform— celebrating the city's 400th anniver- sary—the campaign drives year-round awareness and visitation. We've also expanded travel trade training, sales missions, and FAMs and introduced Libby, our multilingual AI trip assis- tant, to simplify trip planning and pro- mote all five boroughs. Seasonal pro- grams such as Restaurant Week, Hotel Week, and Broadway Week continue to strengthen demand for NYC as a must-visit global destination. We track hotel performance (STR data; RevPAR, occupancy and ADR) and media metrics to measure campaign effec- tiveness. Our seasonal programs— Restaurant Week, Hotel Week, and Broadway Week—continue to drive strong occupancy and partner ROI. While NYC hotel occupancy is slightly below last year, NYC remains an industry leader: 87.7% vs. the U.S. average of 70.2% (STR, September 2025). Despite global head- winds, NYC's hotel sector remains among the most resilient in the nation. By 2029, New York City is forecast to welcome 3.6 million more visitors than in 2019. Visitation in 2026 is fore- cast to reach 66 million, nearly match- ing the pre-pandemic peak of 66.6 mil- lion. This increase is driven by mar- quee events such as the FIFA World Cup, America's 250th/NYC 400th, and Sail4th 250, alongside improvements in air capacity and visa processing. While policy headwinds persist, overall momentum remains strong and points to sustained growth. MEGAN CONWAY, PRESIDENT/CEO, TRAVEL PORTLAND There are natio- nal headwinds imp- acting U.S. tour- ism—from inflation to tighter travel budgets. These chal- lenges are not unique to Portland. Portland remains competitive with peer cities, and our distinctive cultural and creative assets continue to set us apart. We've also seen slower recovery in international travel, particularly from Canada. That's due in part to federal political dynamics. Oregonians deeply value our friendship with our Canadian neighbors, and we remain committed to fostering a spirit of wel- come and connection. While Portland's recovery may look different from other cities, every destina- tion is on its own curve. What's encour- aging is that visitors who come to experi- ence Portland firsthand consistently leave with a positive impression. Our award-winning culinary scene, diverse cultural offerings, and easy access to nature make Portland unlike anywhere else on the West Coast. When people experience Portland's hospitality for themselves, perceptions shift immediately. There's simply no substitute for being here, and seeing the city for yourself changes the con- versation in a way that data alone can't. Portland offers a strong value proposition in today's market. Our sales-tax-free status provides built-in savings, and our destination remains budget-friendly without compromis- ing on quality. The city has made meaningful invest- ments in safety. Downtown crime rates have dropped 29% year-over-year, reflecting intentional collaboration between city leaders, law enforcement, and community organizations. We're also placing great emphasis on creating reasons for people to come downtown. As a result, downtown foot traffic has grown for six consecutive months. Many 2026 conventions were booked during the height of the pandemic, and our numbers reflect some of the linger- ing effects of that period. However, we're strengthening the year through shorter-lead bookings. Conventions are often secured five to ten years in advance, and we have recov- ery for 2028 and beyond, which tells us that Portland's reputation with decision- makers remains strong.