Economy
New Yorkers Will Tolerate UN Traffic as Long as Tourists Spend Dollars
The annual gathering of world leaders still irks the financial capital. But hotels and restaurants welcome the extra cash.
Customers dine outside at Copinette restaurant in New York.
Photographer: Amir Hamja/BloombergNew Yorkers famously hate the United Nations General Assembly meeting for the barrage of traffic and heavy security that accompany the presidents, prime ministers and royalty in town.
But after more than two years of pandemic-related disruptions to the city’s all-important tourism industry, this year’s gathering couldn’t come at a better time for New York’s economy. Especially for Midtown Manhattan, where office and retail vacancies have soared.