‘We’re hoping to be back to our 2019 numbers of around 48,000 by 2025,’ says Reginald Charlot, managing director tourism marketing development with NYC & Company.

Charlot says the Air New Zealand direct service from Auckland is an obvious plus for the destination and the Qantas service in June will add another option.

‘A lot of people when they think New York, think Manhattan,’ says Charlot. ‘We’re encouraging people to explore more – get into the five boroughs that we have.’

She says the city also has a ‘new New York’ message for New Zealanders who may have been there before. ‘A lot of our existing attractions have been re-imagined and we also have new observation decks like the Summit 1 Vanderbelt.’

Ryan Schwartz, of Rockefeller Centre, says that complex has added 40 new restaurants plus an ice-skating and roller-skating rink.

‘We’re actually hosting a Kiwi tour group later this year and they are visiting the new Radio Park. They will be joined by a New Zealand radio station, who will be broadcasting live from there.’