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Talking Tourism with L.i.c. Bid

NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta spoke about the economic benefits of the ongoing tourism boom in the Big Apple during the Long Island City Business Improvement District’s membership meeting on June 20. New York City is the world’s most popular tourist destination, he said, hosting more than 50 million visitors, including 10.6 million foreigners, in 2011. These sightseers spent roughly $32 billion, supporting 320,000 jobs. Of this group, roughly 8.2 million people spent about $4.1 billion in Queens. As proof of the new reality, it was noted, plans are in the works to build the 19th hotel in Long Island City, which only had one such lodging a decade ago. Fertitta is at far right with BID executives (from left) Alan Suna, David Brause and Gayle Baron.