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158master vision159public artIncreased Hotel Occupancy and Tourism <br />The Gates drew visitors from around the world during what is traditionally the slowest month <br />for new york City’s tourism industry. Last year, Midtown Manhattan hotels reported occupancy <br />rates of 73.6% with room rates at $194.25. This year, through February 23, those hotels report- <br />ed occupancy rates of 86.9% with room rates at $223.81. During weekends of The Gates, the <br />occupancy rates were well over 90%. This data translates into an increase in revenue of over <br />$2 million or 18%. <br />For example, the Amsterdam Inn Hotel, one of Manhattan’s affordable hotels, on Amsterdam <br />Avenue and 76th Street, enjoyed a full house almost every day. The Hotel Deauville new york <br />in Gramercy Park had a 50% higher occupancy rate compared to the previous year. The Four <br />Seasons Hotel New York reported that The Gates transformed one of the slowest months of the <br />year into the strongest February that they had ever experienced. The Waldorf=Astoria, which <br />had forecasted increased demand from The Gates, was surprised by the high number of vis- <br />itors from throughout Europe, many from Germany, and said the event transformed the hotel <br />into an art lover’s haven. The Essex House, located on Central Park South, the Doubletree <br />Metropolitan Hotel at 51st Street and Lexington and the new york Marriot located in Downtown <br />Brooklyn also reported increased occupancy. <br />In addition, the NYC & Company Visitor Information Center in Midtown welcomed an average <br />of 739 visitors per day during The Gates from February 12th through 27th, compared to an av- <br />erage of 436 visitors per day, during the first part of the month from February 1st through 11th <br />- an increase of 69%. <br />new york City tourism is a $24 billion industry that supports nearly 300,000 jobs in all five bor- <br />oughs. Approximately 50% of the City’s 40 million annual visitors include cultural activities as <br />part of their new york City itineraries. Spending by these cultural visitors produces $12 billion <br />in economic activity citywide on lodging, dining, shopping, entertainment and transportation. In- <br />ternational visitors, while comprising only 13% of new york City’s total visitor volume, represent <br />45% of total visitor spending. <br />“The Gates not only drew millions of people to Central Park, it attracted hundreds of thousands <br />of visitors to new york City,” said Cristyne L. nicholas. “February hotel occupancy reached <br />peak levels, a new wave of visitors spent money in our shops, restaurants and cultural organi- <br />zations, and images of New York City were broadcast around the world inspiring future trips to <br />our great city.” <br />Increased Restaurant Business <br />Restaurants, large and small, and not just those adjacent to Central Park, reported an increase <br />in patrons during The Gates. Business at Mickey Mantle’s rose almost 110% on weekdays and <br />200% on weekends. Rosa Mexicano at Lincoln Center reported that lunch business increased <br />200% and sales are up 30% over last year. nectar Coffee Shop, which has two locations on <br />Madison Avenue (at 79th and 82nd), reported long lines for tables and a 20-25% increase in <br />sales. Times Square restaurants Blue Fin and Ruby Foo’s and other restaurants in the area <br />such as the Brooklyn Diner, Cafe Fiorello, Tratoria Del Arte, Shelly’s NY, and Redeye Grill all <br />saw a significant increase in sales over the 16 days of The Gates compared to the same time <br />period one year ago.8.A. - Page 85