General Information » Economy » Tourism

All visitors are welcome in New York, no matter what part of the world they are from or what their budget. According to the New York City Tourist Office, a record 43 million visitors enjoyed the city’s many attractions in 2006, 7.2 million of which were international visitors. Being in such high demand places a strain on resources, however, but New York is rising to the challenge. There are currently around 70,000 hotel rooms in New York, with an additional 5,000 to be added during 2007.

The reasons to visit are endless, but here are just a few:

For starters, the many parades held throughout the year are the ultimate reason to party. From Gay Pride to St Patrick’s Day, and from the Thanksgiving Day Parade to Puerto Rico Day, you’re invited to participate. Make the most of it by dancing in the streets, waving your hands in the air. Then of course there are the various film and fashion festivals, the beach (it may only be Coney Island, but the Hamptons are just around the corner), and the five ‘S’s: sights, sounds, skyline, smells and shopping.