Tourism Could Be Hurting Long After Any Transit Strike Ends

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Tourism Could Be Hurting Long After Any Transit Strike Ends
12/15/2002 03:01 PM
By: NY1 News

A transit strike has the potential to cripple New York City for days, but the negative effects could linger long after the union returns to work.

“The message that this would send around the country is that New York City tolerates strikes,” said Christyne Lategano Nicholas, president of NYC & Company, the city’s official tourist board. “That’s really dangerous, because you have conventions and groups thinking of coming here. Some tourists are even thinking of leaving early now. That has long-term effects. Keep in mind that tourism is a $$25 billion industry.”

Nicholas estimates a strike could impact city tourism by as much as $$80 million a day. For the many retail businesses that that make up to 40 percent of their annual sales during the holiday rush, a strike would be crippling, she says.

The fear of a strike has also threatened future bookings, she says.

The union representing the city’s subway and bus workers has threatened to call a strike at midnight Monday if its contract expires without a new deal.

To help combat a possible downturn in tourism, NYC & Company has launched another edition of "Paint the Town,” a program that offers tourists and even native New Yorkers discounts around the city. Go to www.nycvisit.com for more information.