Economic recovery results in boom in travellers to New York City, breaching 45-million mark in 2009

Starwood Hotels and Resorts has announced that it will grow its New York City (NYC) portfolio by 50% this year and open more hotels in New York in 2010 than any other city in the world. Starwood currently operates 12 hotels in the city across six of its nine brands.

The company’s boom will result in 18 Starwood hotels in NYC, including Starwood’s two newest brands in Manhattan – Aloft and Element. Starwood is on track to open more than 80 hotels around the world as part of its global growth strategy.

During the remainder of this year, Starwood will open six new hotels in neighborhoods across Manhattan, as well as in Long Island City and Brooklyn, representing 25% of the new hotel rooms in NYC. One out of four new hotel rooms set to open in the city this year will be branded Starwood.

In May, the Sheraton Brooklyn opened its doors, bringing the total number of new Starwood hotels to open in NYC in 2010 to seven. The company’s aggressive growth adds 1 712 new hotel rooms and more than 500 new jobs to area.

“While nearly 80% of our future hotel pipeline is outside of the United States, we have more hotels in New York City than any city in the world and we will open more hotels right here in our backyard than anywhere else, which speaks to New York’s enduring stature as the most global gateway city in the world,” said Frits van Paasschen, CEO of Starwood Hotels and Resorts.

“New York continues to be a beacon for international business and leisure travelers alike, and as we look to the future, we expect that as masses of travellers from China, India and other emerging markets begin to travel internationally, New York will be at the top of their list. We couldn’t be more bullish on New York near or long term.”

Over the past several months, NYC occupancy has continued to surpass last year’s levels: June occupancy averaged 86.4%, up 5% over last year at the same time. In addition, 45.25-million tourists visited in 2009, exceeding expectations by 7%.

By 2012, NYC anticipates attracting 50-million visitors annually and there is a need for new hotels to meet this demand. New York maintained its position as the world’s most popular tourist destination for international visitors last year, and emerged as the top choice for domestic travelers for the first time in nearly 30 years.

Starwood is well prepared for the influx of travellers, with product that is the best it has ever been. By 2011, 75% of Starwood’s portfolio in New York will be new or freshly renovated.

“In 2010, we will further diversify our strong portfolio in New York City by adding seven strategically located hotels, all backed by our powerful Starwood Preferred Guest program,” adds Denise Coll, president of the North America division for Starwood Hotels and Resorts.

“We have spent the past three years preparing for New York City’s economic recovery by working closely with our proven development partners on the right properties in the right places. As a result, we’re ready to meet the resurgence in demand for our high-quality lifestyle brands in neighbourhoods across the city.”

The new hotels include Aloft in Harlem and Brooklyn, Element in Times Square, Sheraton in Tribeca and Brooklyn, W in the Downtown area and Four Points by Sheraton in Long Island City. Various existing properties are undergoing refurbishment. Earlier this year Starwood also relocated its new design and brand marketing headquarters to the junction of Soho and Tribeca.