The New York Hotel industry has faced many challenges over the last decade including the deadly terrorist attacks of September 11, the crippling effects of the global financial crisis and now of course the mass devastation of Hurricane Sandy. But as any New Yorker will tell you they are a resilient bunch and so the same can definitely be said of New York hotels too.
Unlike many other destinations that have suffered natural disasters like Indonesia and Sri Lanka with the Tsunami in 2004, Santa Catarina in Brazil with the horrific floods and mudslides of 2008 and New Zealand with their recent glut of earthquakes, New York is a city that people will not necessarily be put off visiting, regardless of the tragedy. The reason for this is because there are just too many reasons to go there to keep people away.
A global powerhouse of international business and commerce, New York, along with London and Tokyo, is one of three major global trading centres. However that aside New York is - and will always be - a major tourist destination. Few other cities in the world if any can boast as many world class sites and attractions as New York. So whether it be for the chance to visit Central Park, The Empire State Building, Ground Zero, Wall Street, Times Square or The Statue of Liberty, the Big Apple will also attract people to its shores.
Every year New York receives on average around 50 million visitors, whether it be tourists, businessmen, day trippers or simply friends and relatives of the 8 million plus residents from whom representatives of every single nation in the world can be found. In total there are well over 2100 hotels in New York offering well in excess of 110,000 New York hotel rooms to house them all. Whilst visitor numbers and occupancy rates might reduce somewhat for the next few weeks I believe, unlike during the immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks, that they won't stay down for long.
Whilst it is a sad fact that there may well be some casualties, particularly those establishments already in financial difficulties, most New York City hotels should survive, particularly with Christmas, and the usual influx of visitors that brings not far away. In the interim however, even though the city might currently be in tatters, it could be an excellent time to book a New York hotel.
Within the industry a disaster such as Hurricane Sandy could draw immediate benefits in terms of reduced costs. Sometimes, the thought of declining levels of demand can spur even the most expensive of luxury New York hotels to temporarily drop their rates in an effort to sustain their levels of bookings. Experience tells me if you take a look over the course of the next couple of days there may well be plenty of great New York hotel deals to be found, particular in places that themselves have to pay high rents such as those hotels near Times Square, or Battery Park, the latter of which offer fantastic views of the Statue of Liberty.
During the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11th I noticed that even some of the most famous New York hotels dropped their rates substantially, some by as much as 50%. Now that Hurricane Sandy has left its destructive mark, who is to say they will not do so now?
Even if it is only - if you will excuse the pun - until the aftermath of the storm dies down.
Unlike many other destinations that have suffered natural disasters like Indonesia and Sri Lanka with the Tsunami in 2004, Santa Catarina in Brazil with the horrific floods and mudslides of 2008 and New Zealand with their recent glut of earthquakes, New York is a city that people will not necessarily be put off visiting, regardless of the tragedy. The reason for this is because there are just too many reasons to go there to keep people away.
A global powerhouse of international business and commerce, New York, along with London and Tokyo, is one of three major global trading centres. However that aside New York is - and will always be - a major tourist destination. Few other cities in the world if any can boast as many world class sites and attractions as New York. So whether it be for the chance to visit Central Park, The Empire State Building, Ground Zero, Wall Street, Times Square or The Statue of Liberty, the Big Apple will also attract people to its shores.
Every year New York receives on average around 50 million visitors, whether it be tourists, businessmen, day trippers or simply friends and relatives of the 8 million plus residents from whom representatives of every single nation in the world can be found. In total there are well over 2100 hotels in New York offering well in excess of 110,000 New York hotel rooms to house them all. Whilst visitor numbers and occupancy rates might reduce somewhat for the next few weeks I believe, unlike during the immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks, that they won't stay down for long.
Whilst it is a sad fact that there may well be some casualties, particularly those establishments already in financial difficulties, most New York City hotels should survive, particularly with Christmas, and the usual influx of visitors that brings not far away. In the interim however, even though the city might currently be in tatters, it could be an excellent time to book a New York hotel.
Within the industry a disaster such as Hurricane Sandy could draw immediate benefits in terms of reduced costs. Sometimes, the thought of declining levels of demand can spur even the most expensive of luxury New York hotels to temporarily drop their rates in an effort to sustain their levels of bookings. Experience tells me if you take a look over the course of the next couple of days there may well be plenty of great New York hotel deals to be found, particular in places that themselves have to pay high rents such as those hotels near Times Square, or Battery Park, the latter of which offer fantastic views of the Statue of Liberty.
During the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11th I noticed that even some of the most famous New York hotels dropped their rates substantially, some by as much as 50%. Now that Hurricane Sandy has left its destructive mark, who is to say they will not do so now?
Even if it is only - if you will excuse the pun - until the aftermath of the storm dies down.
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