Travellers look for bargains in New York City

A million more visitors went to New York City in the first quarter of 2008 compared to the same time last year, according to the latest tourism figures.

The weak dollar and the many attractions of New York continue to attract travellers, with international visitors accounting for more than half of total visitor spending.

An estimated 9.5 million tourists visited the city between January 1st and March 31st, up from a forecasted 8.5 million for the same period in 2007.

New York's official marketing and tourism organisation expects visitor spending to be up around 19 per cent from $5.3 billion (£2.67 billion) to $6.3 billion (£3.17 billion).

"New York City is operating on all cylinders, making the destination appealing to visitors from around the globe," commented the New York tourism organisation chief executive George Fertitta.

"The city… is in the midst of an extraordinary moment in time: our neighbourhoods are cleaner and safer than ever before, and our arts and cultural institutions are more vibrant than ever."

The hotel industry is performing well, with an estimated 5.4 million room nights sold in the first quarter of 2008, up five per cent, and hotel occupancies are up two per cent to nearly 81 per cent.

This growth comes on the heels of a record-breaking year in 2007.