Ice skaters in New York’s Central Park
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(New York–AFP) – A record 56.4 million tourists visited New York last year, drawn by its diverse culture, low crime and “dynamism,” and generating $61.3 billion for America’s largest city, officials said Monday.
The number of visitors tops the previous record of 54.3 million in 2013, with steady increases every year since 2009, city hall said.
More than 42 million tourists came from elsewhere in the United States, while among foreign visitors those from Britain, Canada, Brazil, France, China, Australia and Germany were the most common, in that order.
“Our excellent quality of life, low levels of crime and constant dynamism continue to attract record tourism each year, and 2014 was no exception,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
The New York tourist industry employs 359,000 people and generates $21 billion in wages, city hall said.