London vs New York

New York leads London by 3 points on the CIRA Index, 80 to 77. London grades better on 5 measures, New York on 9; the same 35 measures from public sources for both.

Scores by each organisation's criteria

• CIRA Index: London 77, New York 80
• OECD: London 76, New York 81
• UN Tourism: London 81, New York 81
• UNDRR: London 71, New York 75

Theme by theme

• Demand and seasonality: London 79, New York 90
• Economy and jobs: London 88, New York 100
• Climate and hazards: London 65, New York 75
• Water and environment: London 88, New York 75
• Community and housing: London 58, New York 75
• Access and continuity: London 75, New York 75

Where London is stronger

• Average length of stay: 4.3 nights per visitor (Greater London Authority (GLA Economics), A snapshot of tourist accommodation in London, 2024). At or above 3.5: grade 4/4.
• Tropical nights: 0.4 nights a year with a minimum at or above 20°C (last 5 full years) (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 2021–2025). At or below 10: grade 4/4.
• Green space: 49.5 % of the urban area that is green or tree-covered (Greater London Authority, London Green and Blue Cover, 2019). At or above 40: grade 4/4.
• Rent growth: 2.2 % change in rents over the last 12 months (region figure) (Office for National Statistics (ONS), Private rent and house prices, UK: July 2026, 12 months to June 2026). At or below 3: grade 4/4.
• Tourism crisis and recovery plan: A plan with named owners, operators and recovery funding (London & Partners & Mayor of London, 2022–2025). Grade 3/4.

Where New York is stronger

• Domestic share of nights: 89.8 % of nights by residents of the same country (country figure) (World Economic Forum, TTDI 2026 (data: Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Research by World Travel & Tourism Council; Travel & Tourism by World Travel & Tourism Council), 2026). At or above 45: grade 4/4.
• Largest foreign market: 8.5 % of international arrivals or nights (NYC Tourism + Conventions / Office of the Mayor of New York City, 2024). At or below 15: grade 4/4.
• Unemployment rate: 4.8 % of the labour force (New York State Department of Labor, August 2026). At or below 5: grade 4/4.
• Economic diversity: 81.3 % of employment outside accommodation, food, retail and transport (New York State Department of Labor & NYC Economic Development Corporation, 2024). At or above 80: grade 4/4.
• Flood hazard: very low (region figure) (World Bank GFDRR ThinkHazard, current (retrieved 2026)). Grade 4/4.
• Wildfire and storm hazard: medium (region figure) (World Bank GFDRR ThinkHazard, current (retrieved 2026)). Grade 2/4.
• Short-let density: 0.1 short-term rental listings per 100 dwellings (NYC Mayor's Office of Special Enforcement / U.S. Census Bureau 2024 ACS, June 2026). At or below 0.5: grade 4/4.
• Early warning and emergency plan: An updated, tested plan that names visitors and tourism operators, with warnings in several languages (NYC Emergency Management, Office of the Mayor, 2024). Grade 4/4.
• Travel advisory: 1 stricter of the US and Canadian government advisory for the country, 1 (normal precautions) to 4 (do not travel) (country figure) (US State Department and Government of Canada travel advisories, 2026-09-29). At or below 1: grade 4/4.

Country context (World Economic Forum)

• United Kingdom: #7 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026
• United States: #2 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026

London in full · New York in full

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