Has the City of New York come back after the 9-11 attacks, economically?

Question

The emotional and human scars will take many more years to be satisfied. But, economically, has the healing process began to take an upward swing due to the increase in the tourist industry.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City said on Wednesday it received a record 44 million tourists this year, extending a steady increase in visitors since 2002 as the city has recovered from the attacks on the World Trade Center.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement that tourists spent some $24 billion while visiting the city this year.

The number of visitors has been steadily climbing after remaining stagnant at 35 million in 2002 following the September 11, 2001, hijacked-plane attacks on the World Trade Center.

In 2006, travelers from Britain led the way -- accounting for 1.2 million of the estimated 7 million foreign tourists -- while the other 37 million visitors came from elsewhere in the United States, Bloomberg said.

An estimated 1.25 million international travelers were visiting the city this week, between the Christmas and New Year's Day holidays, he said.

"The 44 million people who came to New York City in 2006 are an invaluable engine helping drive the city's economy," Bloomberg said. "New Yorkers from waiters and waitresses to hotel workers ... are supported by the millions of people that come here from around the world to experience the Big Apple."

He said the money spent by tourists in 2006 helped support nearly 350,000 jobs.

The number of tourists topped the 2005 record of 42.6 million visitors.

The city has forecast that 45.5 million people will visit during 2007 and it has set a target of attracting 50 million foreign and domestic tourists by 2015.

Answer 1

I visited NYC between Thanksgiving and Christmas for the first time.I found NYC to be a very progressive city with a booming economy.I found most New yorkers to be friendly.

Answer 2

NYC hasn't just come back economically, but also in the spirit of the people as well.

Generally speaking, I think people treat each other much nicer now in NYC than when they did prior to 9-11. It just seems to be a more friendlier vibe. Sure there may still be rudeness but I tend to think that is just the tourist perspective of it. Living here, I think the "rudeness" level has dropped down.

Best example of how people are now...the Blackout of 2003. During the 1977 blackout, there was rampant looting all over the place. The 2003 blackout...barely any if not at all.

Former mayor Rudy Giuliani (as much as I can't stand him) has helped turn the city around to make it safe. With people working and having jobs, crime has dropped dramatically. The places where crimes are still rampant are in the poor areas...and even in those cases it has to do with illegal matters (such as drugs)

Answer 3

I think you answered your own question. Yes, NY has recovered economically.