New York, Los Angeles draw a record number of tourists in 2018, despite Trump

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 5 years ago

New York, Los Angeles draw a record number of tourists in 2018, despite Trump

By Yan Zhuang
Updated
New York had a record number of 65 million visitors in 2018.

New York had a record number of 65 million visitors in 2018.Credit: Alamy

The effect of the Trump administration on US tourism has been the subject of much speculation, with dire warnings of "major storm clouds" by the US Travel Association, and reports of decreasing positive sentiment towards the US.

But with New York and Los Angeles both receiving a record numbers of visitors in 2018, fears of the "Trump slump" may go unrealised.

Home to many bucket-list attractions, it comes as little surprise that New York attracted more than 65 million visitors in 2018. Sunny LA was close behind at 50 million.

13.5 million of New York's visitors were from overseas, with Britain topping the list at 1.24 million. China came in second at 1.1 million, up from 1.04 million in 2017, curbing worries that the trade war between the two countries would affect tourism.

According to tourism agency NYC & Company, tourists spent about $44 billion in New York in 2018.

The company doesn't expect the growth will slow anytime soon, tipping visitor numbers to increase to at least 67 million in 2019, driven in part by WorldPride in late June, the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising.

For LA, its Mexican neighbours were the biggest source of international visitors at 1.8 million, after numbers saw a slight dip in 2017. China followed with 1.2 million, making LA the No. 1 ranked US city for Chinese travellers.

2018 saw a 3.1 per cent increase in LA's total visitor numbers from 2017, and represents the eighth consecutive year of tourism growth for the city.

While Australians' ' appetite for the US waned in 2017, it seems to have picked up again in 2018 with a jump in visitor numbers.

Advertisement

The US is one of the most popular destinations for Australian travellers, ranked after our neighbouring countries New Zealand and Indonesia.

In 2018, 807,000 Australians visited New York, a 3.9 per cent increase from 2017. From 2016 to 2017, the number of Australian tourists increased by just 1.3 per cent.

Between 2016 and 2017, the number of Australians visiting LA decreased by 0.7 per cent. However that number has risen again over the last year to 426,000 visitors, up 2 per cent from 2017.

Factors such as increased seat capacity at LA International Airport and an increase in the number of hotel rooms has helped its tourism growth, according to Discover Los Angeles, the city's tourism agency.

For Australians, LA remains a "must-visit" city on their bucket list, says Craig Gibbons, the Australia and New Zealand regional director for Discover Los Angeles.

"Los Angeles sets itself apart from any political rhetoric, demonstrating its commitment to welcoming people from over the world," he says.

"In addition, the revitalisation of neighbourhoods such as Downtown and Hollywood has encouraged a boom in new hotel developments and the city's thriving culinary and culture scene.

"Lastly, with year-round fantastic weather and unforgettable 'only in LA' attractions such as Hollywood studios, sporting events for all tastes and iconic beaches that stretch for 75 miles, Australians are able to continue their affair with a city that feels a little like home."

January 2019 also marks the five-year anniversary of LA Tourism's Australian office opening in Sydney. LA Tourism is the only US tourism board with its own office in Australia to date.

New York top international visitors

Britain – 1.24 million

China – 1.1 million

Canada – 1 million

Brazil – 920,000

France – 807,000

Australia – 720,000

LA top international visitors

Mexico – 1.8 million

China – 1.2 million

Canada – 780,000

Australia – 426,000

Britain – 382,000

Japan – 349,000

Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter

Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now.

Most viewed on Traveller

Loading