Adriana Aristizábal on CNN en Español’s Globo Economía, interviewed by José Antonio Montenegro from Wall Street
Introduction
Hello, how are you? How is everyone doing? I’m José Antonio Montenegro, reporting from the New York Stock Exchange in Manhattan, from the New York Stock Exchange, and this is Global Economy.
Today we are dedicating our time to the latest — the very latest — tourism boom in this city, New York City. A boom that led to 64.5 million visitors in 2024, a figure already very close to the 66.6 million visitors reached in 2019, just before the pandemic, which was an exceptionally strong year.
In just a few weeks, we’ll know and be able to confirm whether that 2019 record has already been surpassed or if we still need to wait. We’ll talk shortly about what attracts so many visitors from around the world, but certainly among those attractions are the city’s dynamism and diversity. And of course, the new buildings that have rapidly transformed New York’s skyline, along with the renovation of many buildings and museums — and, as always, shopping.
Speaking of shopping, international investments are also worth noting, such as the recent opening by the iconic French department store Printemps, just steps away from here at One Wall Street. A spectacular new location that they want to serve as the flagship building of this legendary French brand.
Looking ahead, as you know, the FIFA World Cup Final will take place on July 19, 2026, with eight major matches hosted in different stadiums across New York City and the neighboring state of New Jersey.
Interview
Let’s dive into all of this and more with the help of my guest today, Adriana Aristizábal, consultant and spokesperson for New York City Tourism + Conventions. Adriana, welcome back to Global Economy. How are you?
Adriana Aristizábal / Spokesperson, NYC Tourism + Conventions:
Thank you, José Antonio. It’s a pleasure, as always, to be on your program.
José Antonio Montenegro / CNN en Español – Globo Economía:
I started by mentioning numbers — lots of numbers — but the person who really knows the numbers much better than I do is you. Confirm for us: is there truly a tourism boom, or are we exaggerating?
Adriana Aristizábal:
As you said so well, the great news is that New York City is on the right track. Looking back at 2024, as you mentioned earlier, last year we were the most visited city in the United States, with 64.5 million visitors.
This is extremely important because it represented $81 billion in economic impact for the city: $51 billion in direct spending, $7 billion in local tax revenue, and close to 400,000 jobs.
Those 400,000 jobs represent about 8% of New York City’s workforce, with wages and salaries exceeding $31 billion annually. And something I’d like to highlight is that New York City continues to be the most important gateway to the United States, especially for international travelers.
For example, in August of this year, we broke a record with 13.8 million passengers traveling through JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia airports.
José Antonio Montenegro:
Among the numbers I have here is hotel occupancy. Despite a very strong increase in hotel supply, occupancy has also continued to rise in a surprising way. Some iconic hotels have reopened, such as the Waldorf Astoria, which was under renovation for many years. Tell us about hotel growth and occupancy.
Adriana Aristizábal:
Hotel occupancy remains close to 85%, alongside a rapid expansion of inventory, which now includes 125,000 hotel rooms. In 2025 and 2026, we’ve seen — and will continue to see — more than 20 hotel openings and reopenings, ranging from ultra-luxury properties to more affordable options.
As I mentioned earlier, the Waldorf Astoria reopened in July after a seven-year restoration and is absolutely spectacular. You must visit Peacock Alley, which is iconic.
I can also mention Faena New York, a new luxury icon offering culinary and wellness experiences; the W New York – Union Square, which underwent a $100 million renovation; The Kingdom in Midtown, featuring a terrace overlooking Rockefeller Center; and the Westin in Flushing near LaGuardia, which is strategically important, especially for travelers with connecting flights.
José Antonio Montenegro:
Let me open another chapter: where are tourists coming from? Is anything surprising, or is it widely diversified?
Adriana Aristizábal:
That’s an interesting question, José Antonio. When it comes to international visitors, the United Kingdom, followed by Canada, remain the top source markets for New York City. They’re followed by France, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, China, Australia, Germany, and Spain.
This year, we’re seeing strong growth in visitors from Italy, Brazil, and Australia. A key trend is that international visitors tend to stay longer and spend more.
As for domestic tourism, the leading source cities are Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Boston, and Los Angeles.
(Commercial break)
Back from the break
José Antonio Montenegro:
We’re back with Global Economy from the New York Stock Exchange, talking about New York City’s tourism boom. Adriana, in this segment we want to focus on what excites visitors. One cannot avoid mentioning Broadway, which is experiencing a remarkable renaissance, with bold productions and major investments.
Adriana Aristizábal:
That’s right, José Antonio. New York City offers diverse experiences across its five boroughs, making it inclusive and appealing to all ages and interests.
There are hotels costing over $1,000 per night, but also budget-friendly options. There are free activities like Central Park, the High Line, and museums with free admission days, such as the Whitney Museum of American Art, which is free on Fridays and the second Sunday of each month.
There’s dining ranging from Michelin-starred restaurants to street food, and over 100 holiday activities for all budgets. What truly makes New York City special is that it’s constantly changing — every month something new opens, whether it’s a museum, an immersive experience, or a restaurant.
One new highlight is One Times Square, which now offers the Ball Drop Experience, allowing visitors to explore the building that hosts the iconic New Year’s Eve ball. It’s an immersive, time-travel-like experience that ends with breathtaking panoramic views.
This year also saw the reopening of the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, home of Shakespeare in the Park, reopened with Lupita Nyong’o. The Metropolitan Museum of Art completely reimagined its African and Ancient American art galleries.
We’re also celebrating many important anniversaries: the 400th anniversary of New York City, highlighted by the Founded by NYC campaign, showcasing community contributions. Broadway shined with stars like Denzel Washington and George Clooney, and August marked the 10th anniversary of Hamilton.
Other milestones include 200 years of the Brooklyn Museum, 10 years of the Whitney, 40 years of the Marriott Marquis, 80 years of Circle Line Cruises, and 100 years of the Rockettes.
José Antonio Montenegro:
Top Hollywood figures are now performing on Broadway, and Latino presence continues to grow.
Adriana Aristizábal:
Broadway is experiencing an extraordinary renaissance, with audiences exceeding 12.5 million people. By July, weekly ticket sales reached $32.2 million, with about 257,000 attendees per week.
For the 2025–2026 season, more than 30 premieres are projected between Broadway and Off-Broadway. Notable productions include Buena Vista Social Club, which opened in April, won five Tony Awards, and is now nominated for a Grammy Award.
Other highlights include Beetlejuice, The Queen of Versailles, and the return of Mamma Mia!, running through February 2026.
Latino audiences are one of Broadway’s fastest-growing segments. During the 2022–2023 season, Latinos represented 8–9% of Broadway audiences, purchasing over 1.1 million tickets.
(Commercial break)
Looking Ahead
José Antonio Montenegro / CNN en Español – Globo Economía:
Adriana, 2026 will be key, especially with the World Cup Final on July 19.
Adriana Aristizábal /Spokesperson, NYC Tourism + Conventions:
2026 will be historic. The United States will celebrate its 250th anniversary, and the FIFA World Cup will position New York City as a global tourism epicenter. The World Cup is expected to generate $2 billion in economic impact for New York and New Jersey and support 14,000 jobs.
José Antonio Montenegro:
Before we close, Brooklyn and Queens have experienced a remarkable resurgence and are increasingly popular among visitors.
Adriana Aristizábal:
NYC Tourism + Conventions continues to highlight attractions, hotels, restaurants, small businesses, and iconic sites across all five boroughs — because New York City is more than Manhattan.
I’d also like to note that Hotel Week 2026 will offer 25% off standard rates at over 140 hotels as part of Winter Outing, running from January 2 to February 12. This initiative combines Broadway Week, Restaurant Week, Attractions Week, and Hotel Week, offering visitors incredible value.
José Antonio Montenegro:
Adriana, unfortunately, we’re out of time. Thank you so much for joining us and for sharing such valuable insight.
