A Volcano Erupts: Will New York Tourism Benefit?

The eruption of the volcano in Iceland has done more than provide exciting color photos of fire and lava, and disrupt flights across the United States and Europe: It has affected tourism in New York.
Because flights have been canceled to and from Europe, a number of tourists are stranded in the city. Some travel agencies are covering the cost of hotel stays for stranded travelers; while other tourists are footing the cost of the extra days of their enforced vacation themselves.
City officials announced last Friday that 30 New York hotels would offer 15 percent discounts to stranded tourists; they include the Skyline and the Comfort Inn near Penn Station. Other hotels are offering even higher discounts. The travelers who are stuck here are helping somewhat to offset the missed revenue of Europeans who booked hotel stays and haven’t been able to fly in. The travelers who are here, of course, also have to eat and amuse themselves somehow, so restaurants, shops, movie theaters and shops are liable to feel a bump in revenue as well.
After the ban on airspace is lifted, it could take up to six days to resume flights to and from Europe. Thousands of flights have already been disrupted.
The eruption of the volcano Eyjafjallajokull (don't worry; no one else can pronounce it ether) has caused massive disruptions not just for vacationers but for package and mail deliveries as well. The volcano erupted twice this month; hundreds of people were also forced to evacuate because of rising floodwaters.

Even in This Economy, Trump Just Doesn't Stop Building

Perhaps you thought that what New York was missing during this faltering economy was yet one more luxury hotel? If so, Donald Trump agrees with you—the new Trump SoHo Hotel opened yesterday at 246 Spring Street in Manhattan. (Call 212 842-5500; or 877-828-7080 for reservations.)
The 46-story building cost more than $450 million. It's a combination hotel-condo--if you are so inclined, you can buy a unit and then rent it to guests. Prices start at $1.2 million, with hotel rates ranging from $400-$600 a night. The hotel has 391 guest rooms, many of which offer floor-to-ceiling windows. Trump and his three children presided over the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the building, which took 3 1/2 years to complete.
The hotel is meant to appeal to a young, hip, downtown-type of crowd. It includes a library, called, yes, The Library, where cappuccino and wine can be sipped while perusing arty tomes; and Quattro Gastronomia Italiana, a northern Italian restaurant. The Spa at Trump will open this summer, and will feature a luxury hammam experience. (A hammam is a kind of Turkish bath, for those who wish to be au courant.)
Of course, guests can enjoy the outdoor pool deck in season.
In addition, a manicured open space along the east side of the building offers an area for guests to hang out.
Kids have not been left out of the equation—among the many amenities offered, kids can have their very own business cards, as well as access to a kiddie cocktail menu.
Extra swizzle sticks, please.
Can doggie margaritas and personalized kitty litter boxes be far behind?

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Route - Route Change for 2009

After much speculation, it was announced in April 2009 by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan that the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will have a new route for 2009. The new, wider route will give the parade the extra space it has needed for more parade goers and will allow for more economic activity.
The parade had previously started at 77th Street and Central Park West to continue South on Broadway when it reached Columbus Circle, through Times Square and ending in Herald Square. The new route will now have four 90 degree turns, with the parade starting at 77th Street and Central Park West, turning East onto 59th Street, then South at 7th Avenue, then East on 42nd Street for a block before turning South onto 6th Avenue, and finishing in Herald Square at 34th Street. This is the sixth route change in the history of the parade since its debut in 1924.
The parade route change has sent hotels on 6th and 7th Avenues scrambling to create pricey room packages and viewing parties in their event spaces for people who want to watch the parade indoors. This change is of course a disappointment for Broadway hotels whose business will now be hurt because the parade won’t be passing outside its doors anymore.
Full Story: http://www.nytix.com/Hotels/articles/thanksgiving.html

New York City Sees Hotel Boom Despite Room Occupancy Decline

Nearly 40 new hotels will open in New York City in 2009, including the Standard, the Ace, and the Cooper Square hotels, adding hundreds more to New York City’s existing 85,000 guest rooms. In a seemingly odd time to be expanding, New York is seeing a hotel room boom with more lodging than ever before.
New hotels projected to open in 2009 had been in the works as hotel occupancy rates steadily climbed in the last five years, often causing room shortages, with 39.9 million visitors in 2004 to a record 47.1 million in 2008. However, the suffering economy ended the climb with a dismal last quarter in 2008. Not only has there been a drop in room occupancy, but room rates as well.
According to PKF Consulting, 2008 had an average daily room rate of $268.59, while 2009 had a rate of $220.42. The average occupancy was 81.0 percent in the first quarter of 2008, while the first quarter of 2009 saw 67.3 percent, a number dipping into dangerous territory.
Travelers aren’t reserving rooms as far in advance anymore, and business expense accounts are being tightened to not include as much business travel. Hotels will have to offer good prices and incentive packages to gain guests.
The aforementioned chic and innovative new properties offer a glimmer of hope. The Standard has floor-to-ceiling glass windows providing amazing Hudson River views from its location on Washington Street, while the Cooper Square captures modern luxury with its sharp interior, and the Ace rocks a Indie/hipster flair.