Showcases closed, merchants distraught: on 5th New York Avenue, the ambient slump has been palpable since the coronavirus crisis scared tourists away. Mukhtar Ahmed, manager of a souvenir shop, owes his survival only to the goodwill of the owner of the premises: the rent has not been paid since March. Tourist attendance fell 66% in New York City in 2020 according to NYC & Company. Vice-president of this tourism promotion organization, Christopher Heywood explains that the crisis has “decimated all facets” of this industry which employs 403,000 people.
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