Updated 12/31/2012 04:29 PM
New York City Welcomes Record 52 Million Tourists In 2012
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Despite the devastation during Hurricane Sandy, the city welcomed a record 52 million tourists in 2012, according to the Bloomberg administration.
City Hall officials say that figure is more than a million tourists more from 2011.
The booming tourism trade boosted the city's economy, as visitors generated about $37 billion in direct spending.
Speaking at the American Museum of Natural History on Monday, Mayor Michael Bloomberg credited the rise to the city's many landmarks and low crime rates.
"New York's tourism industry is booming because we've kept New York the safest big city and during 2013 we'll resolve to keep New York even safer," Bloomberg said. "Tourism is booming because we're the nation's most exciting city and during 2013 we're going to keep adding to the parks and cultural institutions that keep bringing millions of people here every year."
The mayor added the city is on target to reach the goal of 55 million visitors by 2015.
The statistics are based on a combination of hotel data, airport information and other sources.