Latest news with #JulieCoker
CBS News
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
NYC to celebrate America's 250th birthday with parade of ships for "Sail 4th 250"
New York City will welcome tall ships of the world as part of a celebration of America's 250th anniversary on the Fourth of July, 2026. The port of New York and New Jersey will host a parade of ships from around the world, and the event is expected to bring millions to the city. Preparations are well underway. City officials, alongside military personnel, announced the largest fleet of the world's tall ships and gray hull ships will sail into New York harbor, pass in presidential review, and salute the Statue of Liberty. Officials say the event, called Sail 4th 250, will be a special U.S. Navy Fleet Week for the holiday, and the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels will take to the skies over Manhattan. The celebration will also include a massive Fourth of July fireworks display, and a tickertape parade on July 6 honoring post-9/11 combat veterans and their families. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, this a huge, huge, fun celebration. These are majestic ships. Some will be here at the Intrepid Museum, other ships will be elsewhere, they will be all free and open to the public," Intrepid Museum executive vice president David Winters said. "To be able to host the 30+ tall ships that represent multiple countries and to invite the world to New York City to experience the Fourth of July is so exciting," said Julie Coker of New York City Tourism + Conventions. The city says the event is expected to bring in more than $1 billion of tourism revenue.
Time Out
26-06-2025
- Business
- Time Out
The 2025 America's Best Cities list is here—see which city came out on top
Start spreading the news: New York City has once again snagged the title of America's Best City, topping Resonance Consultancy's prestigious 2025 ranking for the ninth year running. The Big Apple is on a winning streak and it's not just because of the pizza. In a moment when American cities are grappling with everything from climate volatility to housing crises, New York stands tall—literally and figuratively—claiming the No. 1 spot across all three of Resonance's key metrics: Livability, Lovability and Prosperity. In short, that means the city is thriving, dazzling and making money while it's at it. New York ranks in first place for both culture and landmarks, fueled by a comeback of Broadway, blockbuster museum exhibits and more than a few Michelin stars. The city welcomed nearly 65 million visitors in 2024, and while international travel is projected to dip this year, NYC is betting big on 2026's FIFA World Cup Final and major infrastructure upgrades to turn the tide. With a skyline that's still growing, a hospitality sector revving back to life and a talent pool that's as deep as its subway tunnels, New York isn't just back—it never left. 'This recognition is a testament to the enduring appeal of the five boroughs,' said New York City Tourism + Conventions CEO Julie Coker, noting that the city's cultural and economic vibrancy are still drawing the world in droves. Elsewhere on this year's list, New York's West Coast cousin Los Angeles claimed the No. 2 spot: "While wildfires, water scarcity and housing affordability remain challenges, the macro bet is clear: a once-in-a-lifetime convergence of mega-events, climate-friendly rail, adaptive reuse policies and institutional capital is resetting Los Angeles's value proposition," reads the ranking. And rounding out the top three is Chicago, IL, which is "firing on all cylinders" as of late with "an expanding talent pool and relative affordability." You can check out the full 2025 America's Best Cities ranking from Resonance Consultancy here, as well as the top 20 below. The 2025 best cities in America, per Resonance Consultancy: 1. New York, NY 2. Los Angeles, CA 3. Chicago, IL 4. San Francisco, CA 5. Seattle, WA 6. Miami, FL 7. Boston, MA 8. Washington, DC 9. Las Vegas, NV 10. San Diego, CA 11. Orlando, FL 12. Atlanta, GA 13. Houston, TX 14. Dallas, TX 15. Austin, TX 16. Denver, CO 17. Portland, OR 18. Philadelphia, PA 19. San Jose, CA 20. Honolulu, HI
The Independent
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
New York expecting 2 million fewer foreign visitors this year amid concerns over Trump policies
New York City is expecting 2 million fewer international tourists this year amid concerns over President Donald Trump 's anti-immigration and trade tariff policies, according to a new report. City officials revised their December forecast, which estimated 14.6 million foreign tourists would visit in 2025, down to 12.1 million, according to a report released by New York City Tourism and Conventions, the city's tourism agency. Including both domestic and foreign visitors, the city expects to see 3.5 million fewer in total compared to the 67.7 million it previously predicted. 'We are in uncertain times and there are more questions than answers,' Julie Coker, the agency's CEO said, emphasizing that 'New York City is still the most welcoming, inclusive and diverse city in the world.' The drop in estimated foreign visitors is partly down to the Trump administration's 'high-profile detainments' of immigrants, according to Adam Sacks, president of consulting firm Tourism Economics. Stories of nightmare encounters at the U.S. border, some of which resulted in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention, have spooked travelers. Sacks also said that Trump's tariffs were deterring tourists from the U.S., according to Bloomberg. Foreign tourists are vital for the city as they typically spend more money than domestic visitors. In 2024, international tourists spent $23 billion, according to the city's Comptroller Brad Lander. Canadians have the highest number of tourists coming to the U.S., with 24 million visiting last year, followed by Mexico at 17 million and the United Kingdom at 4 million. In a recent report by research firm Tourism Economics, inbound travel to the U.S. is now projected to decline by 5.5 percent this year, instead of growing by nearly 9 percent as had previously been forecast. A further escalation in tariffs and trade wars could result in further reductions in international tourism, which could amount to an $18 billion annual reduction in tourist spending in 2025. Trump was quizzed about how his policies were impacting international tourism figures at the end of last month, when he downplayed the situation. 'There is a little nationalism there, I guess, perhaps,' he said in the Oval Office. 'It's not a big deal.'
