NYC Tourism Leadership Joins More Than 600 Representatives Across Government and Travel Industry from China and United States

New York City and Shanghai Renew City-to-City Tourism Partnership Driving Reciprocal Travel Between Two Destinations

Xi’an, China (May 23, 2024) —New York City Tourism + Conventions, the official destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau for the five boroughs of New York City, returned to China this week for the 14th China–U.S. Tourism Leadership Summit, held in Xi’an.

President and CEO Fred Dixon, Chief Marketing Officer Nancy Mammana and Senior Vice President, Tourism Development, Makiko Matsuda Healy joined more than 600government and industry stakeholders for the summit, which was established in 2007 to forge relationships that mutually benefit the tourism industries in both countries.

Prior to the summit, NYC Tourism leadership visited Shanghai for a series of meetings with key industry stakeholders, media and travel partners.

During the event, New York City Tourism + Conventionsand the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism formally renewed the City-to-City Tourism Partnership between the two destinations. Initially formed in 2016, this two-year partnership will boost travel between the two cities with a reciprocal advertising exchange, sharing of best practices, and other forthcoming activities.

As part of the organization’s ongoing efforts in China, NYC Tourism is also currently running a consumer marketing campaign in partnership with Ctrip and Tongcheng. The campaign, which launched in early April and will run through the end of June, targets FIT travelers with digital advertisements, sweepstakes, discounted fare offerings and more.

New York City remains the largest port of entry into the U.S. and is home to the busiest airport system in the world across LGA, JFK and EWR airports. In 2023, tourism to NYC generated an estimated $74 billion in economic impact with more than $48 billion in direct spending.

This activity supported over 380,000 leisure and hospitality jobs—roughly 9% of the City’s workforce—and thousands of small and minority-owned businesses across all five boroughs. Last year, NYC welcomed 62.2 million visitors, including 50.6 million domestic and 11.6 million international visitors.

In 2024, visitation is expected to grow to 64.8 million, a 97% recovery of 2019 record levels. Chinese visitation to NYC this year is forecasted to reach 833,000—more than doubling 2023 levels.

About New York City Tourism + Conventions:

New York City Tourism + Conventions is the official destination marketing organization (DMO) and convention and visitors bureau (CVB) for the five boroughs of New York City. Our mission is to invite the world and energize the City, building equitable, sustainable economic prosperity and community through tourism for the mutual benefit of residents, businesses and visitors. For all there is to do and see in New York City,

visit nyctourism.com.