Fewer Visit N.Y. in ’85 but Spend More

NEW YORK — The number of visitors to New York dropped slightly in 1985, but spending was up and the city remained the world’s leading tourist destination, the Convention and Visitors Bureau reported Wednesday.

The bureau estimated that 17.1 million people will have stayed in the city’s hotels by year’s end, down 135,000 from 1984, but still more than two visitors for every New York City resident.

Based on typical tourist spending figures, the bureau estimated that this year’s visitors will have spent $2.4 billion, up from $2.35 billion last year. Spokesman Jack McBean said the difference was largely due to inflation.

Hotel occupancy in 1985 was estimated at 72%, down from 75% in 1984. Preston Robert Tisch, chairman of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, blamed the decline on a 27-day hotel strike in June and to economic uncertainties.