A series of major events is converging in the Big Apple this week, sprinkling the city with soccer tees, fireworks and, perhaps, love — though not record visitor numbers.
On Saturday, the annual Fourth of July fireworks show in Lower Manhattan will be grander than usual for the nation’s 250th birthday, featuring laser lights for the first time. A flotilla of tall ships from around the world will sail into New York Harbor, representing the largest such gathering in modern American history. Other visitors, proudly sporting their countries’ flags, have descended on the city — in spite of brutal temperatures — for festive watch parties and a FIFA World Cup match at nearby MetLife Stadium on July 5.
Another event, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s exclusive wedding at Madison Square Garden, also promises to bring high-profile visitors to the city, as well as throngs of adoring fans and street closures in Midtown.
So far, the World Cup has had a limited impact on hospitality numbers. Heading into the July Fourth weekend, hotel bookings are still not experiencing a significant boost compared with last year, according to Vijay Dandapani, chief executive of the Hotel Association of New York City.