Visit Manhattan reports steady hotel revenue, rising short-term rentals; sports tourism study recommends capacity and marketing investments

Marcia Roselle, director of Visit Manhattan, told the City Commission July 22 that tourism numbers through June show steady hotel occupancy, increasing short-term-rental listings and targeted sports-tourism opportunities that the city should pursue. Roselle said Visit Manhattan's mission is to drive visitor dollars into hotels, restaurants and venues. She reported that since January more than 1,500,000 visits were recorded and that June hotel revenue was about $15.7 million year to date, producing roughly $1.2 million in transient guest tax collections so far this year. Roselle said short-term rentals produced about $3.6 million in revenue in the month referenced and added roughly $270,000 in TGT collection. She noted listings fluctuate month to month and that June showed 343 active short-term-rental listings. Roselle outlined Visit Manhattan's meetings and sports work: 172 bookings year to date toward a 280-booking target and events such as the Bill Snyder Highway Half Marathon's roughly 1,700 runners. She said sports tourism remains a strong driver and introduced a competitive sports-tourism study by Huddle Up Group. The study scored Manhattan in four measurement areas (facilities, destination strength, organizational structure and events) and recommended: add a visible sports tourism staff liaison; form a stakeholder advisory board; enhance sports marketing; consider right-sized new facilities and improvements to existing venues such as Twin Oaks and Seco Park; and produce a regional facility master plan. Roselle said an implementation committee of local leaders has already convened to review the study and make strategic recommendations. Commission questions ranged from details on short-term-rental data and duration of stay to the study's return-on-investment guidance. Roselle said Visit Manhattan collects monthly metrics using third-party platforms and can provide more granular data on request. Public commenters included Erin Dragato of the Museum of Art and Light, who thanked Visit Manhattan staff for support, and representatives from the museum and other local organizations who praised the department's work attracting conferences and sporting events. Ending: Commissioners welcomed the report and asked staff to supply follow-up data on short-term rentals and occupancy metrics; no formal action was taken.