New York 'top' for US tourism

Growth in visitor numbers for New York was higher than that for other destinations in the USA last year, it has been revealed.

According to statistics from tourism organisation NYC & Company, a record 43.8 million people headed to the Big Apple in 2006, up 2.8 per cent compared with the previous year.

It added that New York has consistently bucked the overall downward trend in USA tourism since 2000, with holidaymakers from the UK continuing to comprise the city's biggest international market.

Nearly 1.2 million Britons went to New York last year out of 7.26 million total international visitors.

"Our tourism industry is enjoying continued growth," commented Jonathan Tisch, chairman of NYC & Company.

He added that the city "is ahead of schedule in reaching mayor Bloomberg's goal of attracting 50 million visitors by 2015".

Some of New York's most famous attractions include the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Central Park and Fifth Avenue's upmarket shopping facilities.

• Some 2m to flee wet weather this weekend
• Brits spending savings on holidays
• Florida 'to begin welcoming tourists today'
• Rock 'n' roll in Paris
• Excitement grows ahead of Singapore's debut grand prix
• Party time in Barcelona: The National Day of Catalonia
• Beijing 'will see long-term benefit of Oympics'
• TAP Portugal 'offers faster Lisbon departures'
• Public trials carried out at new Dubai terminal
• Heathrow Airport hosts first mobile-enabled flight