Long Island Businesses Hopeful Return of International Travel Will Boost Local Economy

September 27, 2023

Retailers across Long Island are hoping the return of international travelers will bring a lift to the local economy. The hospitality industry prepared to welcome the first European non-essential travelers back into the United States Monday. The Long Island Marriott in Uniondale sees about 20% of its rooms filled with foreign visitors on an average day, but that business was lost during the pandemic. Only a handful of foreign airline crews would stay at the hotels, but employees at the Marriot say the numbers of those crews are now steadily rising. Multiple crews from the South American Airline LATAM were at the Uniondale hotel waiting to head back to the airport after some rest. US lifts COVID international travel restrictions Some members of the airline crew say they spend some of their money at area restaurants and at the mall. Zehra Mohammed works for a Saudi Arabian airline and says she loves shopping at Roosevelt Field. She says more tourists will be coming back and spending money. Local economists say international tourists and students also often spent a lot of time at the Hamptons.