Historic line-up of events awaits Indian visitors in NYC

New York City is rolling out the red carpet for Indian tourists as it gears up for its 400th anniversary and America's 250th celebrations. With special events, new attractions and a focus on Indian visitors, New York City Tourism + Conventions, the tourism promotion organisation of the city, expects increased travel from India. It also promises memorable experiences, exclusive activities and continued hospitality for every Indian traveller, Julie Coker, President and Chief Executive Officer, tells India Outbound.

- VARSHA SINGH

Q What are the activities planned for America’s 250th celebrations in New York City?

We are very fortunate in New York City. We really started in 2025 this year and that is because it is the 400th anniversary of New York City. And so what we really wanted to celebrate was the past, the present and the future and really to talk about and uplift those stories of the creativity, the innovation, all of the aspects of New York City that the world has really benefitted from.

We started to celebrate the 400th anniversary and then that will feed into 2026, which of course is just going to be a banner year for the United States, celebrating the 250th anniversary. Also, there are a couple of things that we are highlighting. One, we are fortunate to partner with Canada and Mexico to host FIFA Football World Cup, of which eight matches will be played here in our New York, New Jersey stadium, formerly the Met Stadium, MetLife Stadium.

We will have eight matches there in June and then we are so fortunate to have been selected to be for the final match in July. We really encourage tourists to come, not just whether they have a ticket or not, because there are going to be fan activities throughout all five boroughs.

A number of our museums and attractions will be doing specific exhibits around the 250th anniversary and certainly, you know, paying homage to the US actually hosting the Football World Cup. And then the other event that will happen next summer is Sail4th 250. That is a combination of 40 vessels, but over 30 of those will be the tall ships. They are going to actually sail down to Norfolk and also up to Boston. But only in New York City will you be able to see all 30 together. And that will be over the Fourth of July holiday period next year. We are really excited about the summer, but of course, New York City is activated all year round.