NYC Officials Expecting Huge Leap in International Tourists

Now, apparently, they're coming back.

In droves.

NYC & Company officials told the New York Post they project 8.3 million international visitors this year - not back to 2019 levels but a whopping 207 percent increase over last year's total of 2.7 million tourists who visited from outside the United States.

NYC & Company is the official tourist arm of New York City.

In addition to the more than 8 million global visitors, NYC is expecting 48.2 million Americans to visit in 2022 for a total more than 56 million tourists, which would be a huge boost to lodging, restaurants and attractions in the city.

Officials also told the Post they expect 9 million business travelers this year.

Chris Heywood, executive vice president for NYC & Company, said visitors from the United Kingdom are the key.

"The UK is a critically important market. It is typically our number one source of international travel," Heywood said.