Low prices drive tourists to LIC’s new hotels

Not only has the city’s skyrocketing tourism figures brought a hotel construction boom to Long Island City, but according to DNAinfo, it’s also ensured that the 1,500 rooms in the neighborhood stay occupied. Through March the average hotel occupancy rate is between 80 percent and 82 percent in LIC this year, compared to 77.6 percent city-wide.

Visitors are flocking to western Queens for the cheaper room rates. Many of the hotels offer rooms for as little as $120 per night, more than $100 less than the city’s $222 average, according to NYC & Company, the city’s tourism arm. With easy access to transportation to Manhattan, those savings are the deciding factor.

But at the same time, LIC is beginning to offer its own boutique hotel options in addition to the offerings from major companies that have planted flags in the neighborhood. Z NYC, Verve Hotel and Ravel Hotel have all opened recently with restaurants, lounges and other amenities more typical of Manhattan.

The influx of visitors has also helped boost local businesses in the area, DNAinfo noted. [DNAinfo]