Frommer's New York City 2004

In 2001, New York City welcomed 29.5 million domestic visitors, an increase of 80,000 or 0.3% over 2000's 29.4 million domestic visitors. New York City's increase in total domestic visitors was due to a 4.7% jump in domestic travelers from January 1 to September 10 over 2000? an increase large enough to offset New York's 7.5% decrease in domestic visitors after September 11. Before 9/11, overall domestic travel to New York City was up 4.7% from 2000. Following 9/11, overall domestic travel to New York City fell by 7.5% from 2000, compared with the nation's 5.2% decline. As of summer 2002, citywide hotel occupancy rates have rebounded to within one to two percentage points from where they were a year ago. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the city has restored public transportation sooner than it was thought possible and continuing to offer bargains and values to travelers, particularly in the downtown area. A city of museums continues to add and expand more: the city's newest is downtown's Museum of Sex.