The UK and Irish travel trade "has never been more important" to New York as it looks to rebuild from the impact of the Covid pandemic, president and chief executive of NYC & Company Fred Dixon has told TTG.
Speaking in London on Tuesday (26 March), Dixon said it was a "priority" to train and educate agents on the new product the city has to offer.
"The trade has never been more important to us," he added. "The new reality that we are living in has shown the incredible value that the trade brings to travel.
"For us, training and education for our agents is a priority, and we want to promote all five boroughs."
NYC & Company, the city’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organisation, is also set to host a range of fam trips in the future to promote "the rich diversity" each of the destination’s five boroughs has to offer.
"In the rebuild it is going to be more important than ever to get agents out to New York to see the different boroughs and the product we have," Dixon added.
"We are going to be rolling out some fam trips in the future so we can get people over to see what we have to offer."
New York hopes to welcome more than one million visitors from the UK and Ireland next year as it aims to "build back better" from the impacts of the pandemic.
It expects 751,000 visitors this year, compared to 1.27 million in 2019, and is projecting just under 1.1 million to arrive in 2023, which would make the UK & Ireland its number one source market.
It predicts to see more than 70 million travellers in total arriving in 2024 and 73 million in 2025.
"We are thrilled to say travel is back in every corner of New York, across all five boroughs," Dixon continued.
"New York City is known for constant renewal and reinvention. From brand-new hotels and restaurants to upcoming star-studded Broadway shows, exhibitions and events, we invite New Yorkers and our global community alike to experience the vibrant offerings found only in NYC this year."
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