We're all in the hospitality industry

In my other blogging identity, I just wrote about how the tourists (God bless all 47 million of 'em) made NYC the number one destination in the US (surpassing Disney World and Vegas). While the financial meltdown has led to the loss of thousands of jobs, the blow is slightly cushioned by the people who work in service jobs in the hospitality industry (estimates are as many as 1 in 9 jobs in the city fall into that category).

To quote myself:

The "hospitality industry" is more than waiters and hotel staff: the people who work in the theaters and at museums and other attractions are included in that number. The guy who plays Pig #3 in Shrek...hospitality worker. (His name is Ryan Duncan).

Now that no one has any money at all, the city expects to see a downturn in the number of visitors.

"We all recognize that trees don't grow to the sky forever and that 2009 is going to be a tougher year in every sector in this city,'' said Robert Lieber, deputy mayor for economic development. "But the tourism sector will continue to grow in the long term,'' he added.

Aside from being able to turn a nice phrase, Deputy Mayor Lieber is also saying that tourism will never go away completely. And while they can't seem to walk down a sidewalk properly, the visitors might be an important key to keeping the city from a complete downward spiral.

I've already been urging friends around the country and overseas to take advantage of the bargains available in NYC in winter (Jan-Mar is a particularly good time in terms of room rates), and happily spend time finding affordable packages and recommending activities (lots of theater) to the out of towners. (I have high school friends in town this weekend from North Carolina, and we'll be seeing at least one show; another friend from Ireland is coming over at the end of Jan to binge on theater).

I realize I can't do much about my 401(k) (at least I have one, and a job, and a lot of time for it to recover before I retire), but I actually can help out the city I live in and love.

Happy New Year!