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Choosing The Best New York City Hotels

Finding a deal on New York City travel during the recession

New York City has one of the oldest and best regarded hotel industries in the world. Long known for world-class hotels, NYC has recently been going through a period where hotel prices are declining after many years of rising. The recession that’s engulfed the world is also hitting New York City. A case in point: there are currently more cab drivers in the city than cabs. That usually happens when unemployment is high and job opportunities are few and far between.

Of course recession is affecting the New York City Hotels too. Certainly you can find discount prices when times are hard, but unfortunately, you might also be expected to settle for substandard service. That is a matter for investigation, before choosing the New York City hotel you plan on staying at. Once you’re already there and experiencing inferior service, you’ve already waited too long.

The hotel industry in New York City is ailing

Worse still for New York City Hotels, city government is considering putting a tax on hotels into affect. This move prompted a strong reaction from the Hotel Association of New York City, who said any new burdens on visitors would be too much to bear for the industry.

“Our industry is already grappling with a twenty percent decrease in hotel revenue over last year, in November alone,” said John Fitzpatrick, president and CEO of the Fitzpatrick Manhattan Hotel and the chairman of the Hotel Association of New York City. “This tax increase, on top of the 14.54 percent our customers already pay, is a lump of coal in a holiday stocking that will drive visitors away. The net result will be reduced revenue for the city and the state and increased job losses at hotels and the businesses we support.”

Let’s look at the facts concerning New York City tourism:

1. The hotel industry is hurting, with vacancies at a recent low.
2. Cabbies can’t find enough work because there are more cabs then riders.
3. The restaurant business is reporting down numbers.
4. Heavyweight names on Broadway are hurting as well, suddenly becoming unable to find financing for shows as ticket sales dry up

Last but not least, visitors to the city need to consider the effect of high unemployment on the crime rate. Out of work people with no money might decided to get it from tourists. There haven’t been any concrete reports of this happening, but it’s worth considering.

Searching for good hotel values is a great idea, but take into account the recession and it’s effect on tourism.