New York City, one of the world’s most visited places, is seeing a downward slide in tourism this summer even as it battles other economic woes.

City tourism officials project about 11.3 million people will visit this summer, down nearly 6% from last summer’s 12 million. Industry officials say they need the long July 4 holiday weekend to reverse the momentum.

The highlight event on Independence Day, the annual Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Show, which this year will be over the Hudson River, routinely draws more than two million people, including both city residents and tourists.

“This is an iconic holiday, and we’re hoping that will mean good news for the industry,” said George Fertitta, chief executive of NYC & Company, a city-funded organization that works to bring tourists to New York. According to U.S. Travel Association estimates, Americans will take 322 million leisure trips this summer — down from 329 million in 2008 and 331 million in 2007.

Source: Wall Street Journal Continue Reading This Article Here