Why Tourists Became Repulsed by NYC | History of Tourism in New York City

Today's video covers the fascinating history of tale Tourism in New York City, tourist traps, and why some visitors may find their trip to the big apple "repulsive".

We’ve all been there; we booked the trip of a lifetime to a Legendary destination, New York City. The type of place we recognize from TV. Yet When you arrive, you're overcome with the nauseating sensation of disappointment; you try to repress the facts; you expected the smell of garbage, terrible traffic, and occasional degenerations, yet something is off. Somehow no one warned you about the obvious, that other tourists, like yourself, pervert everything you thought you’d love about the city.

This hasn’t always been the case. Mass tourism on such a corporate scale is a relatively new phenomenon. and Spoiler alert, Aside from the money it brings in, it doesn’t add much value. But when did this all begin?

Today we discover the history of tourism in New York City and how it has eroded the city’s culture.

IT’S HISTORY - Weekly tales of American Urban Decay as presented by your host Ryan Socash.

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» CREDIT
Scriptwriter -Ryan Socash
Editor - Piotr Kubiak,
Host - Ryan Socash

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Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only - always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes - retractions will be published in this section.

[andersdottir]

With all the money pouring into that city there is no excuse for filthy garbage strewn streets.
Rubbish should be picked up daily and footpaths washed down daily too.
Your authorities should be sacked.

[pyronical]

Repulsive is a bit rough. I'm from New Zealand, been to New York twice and I love the place, can't wait to go back.

[kennj]

I've lived in the area and go to manhattan a lot for work or sight seeing. To my eyes, one of the biggest changes is how the waterfronts have been reclaimed for public use. Also, NY is building a really thoughtful and safe bicycling environment. If the day is nice I can bike in from NJ for free in a couple places, ride bike, take ferries (manhattan to rockaway 4$), bike to beaches (coney island) . I can even sail around the area and see the same places from water. and the musuems have a ~100$ pass for a year. its a great stop if your bicycling and you want to avoid the heat in the summer or cold in the winter for a couple hours.

[andrewfox]

The irony is about the subways vs horse pulled trolleys, you can still smell the **** in the city.

[scottrowley]

The saying "great place to visit, wouldn't want to live there" is very true. Your assessment is spot on. Love your channel.

[benjaminclark]

All I know is that I'm going to start calling some of the people I work with "Dandies" just to see what happens. 🤔😂

[leonb]

I worked in NYC, commuting from New Jersey for over 43 years. Yes, some areas of the city are 'tourist traps', phony, some areas at higher crime risk, the subways are the filthiest of any international big city, and expensive, but with care, you can enjoy it as a tourist for a reasonable price if do your research. NYC is a lot more than Manhattan.
Don't go to the Statue of Liberty - take the free Staten Island Ferry round trip on a nice sunny day in the late morning or early afternoon and see the harbor.
Do see the 9/11 memorial but act respectable. Too many act like jerks.
Hotels can be very expensive, but some stay in New Jersey although you may have a commute of an hour or more each way.
Times Square isn't the city, it is the worst place for the 'tourist traps'.
Yes, NYC/Manhattan and its Subway can be filthy, dirty, smelly, especially in the summer. Best to go in the Spring and Fall to limit exposures.
Yes, crime is a problem in NYC, but other smaller cities in the USA are far more dangerous.
Take advantage of the parks, the elevated former rail line site that is like a park on part of the west side of Manhattan.
The museums can be crowded, especially on weekends. Go on middle weekdays. Do take advantage of student or 'seniors' rates if qualified.
If to be in Manhattan for more than a few days, center your choices by areas of the city for each day there.
Yes, it will be expensive to eat, if the weather is nice, get eats from vendors with the longest lines. Some areas like Union Square have farmer's markets on selected days.

[ronalddevine]

I don't live in New York, but I think most big cities are tourist attractions. New York has a lot of good points. When you travel, or tour, you expect to spend money. I think you are being a bit harsh on NYC.

[paulanthony]

Has this guy even been to NYC? Apparently all he knows is Times Square. I've lived in Manhattan for 17 years and NY is not without it's problems, but dude needs to have someone who knows the city show him around. Stuff to do: Brooklyn Bridge/Dumbo, Central Park, Empire State Building, the Highline, the Transit Museum, The Met, Yankee Stadium, The Edge, Oculus, WTC, ice skating rinks, The Circle Line.. I can go on, but you get the idea..

[TheMouseAvenger]

Surely, you jest! Tourists New York City! ^_^ My folks & I loved our first trip to NYC, & we're looking forward to coming again...& again...& again! :D

[michaelwhite]

What about how tourists are repulsive to New Yorkers?

[mathew]

Giving how it is currently it's probably a lot worse living there.

[ShelterCats]

Wow so tell us how you really feel about NY. I grew up in Brooklyn and TBH I avoid Manhattan like the plague. Too crowded and expensive.

[bkos]

As a New Yorker, gotta say people here move at a fast pace and hate having to slow down. Tourists don't give a shit that they get in our way. They don't care that we're in a hurry. Tourists always advertise how much they don't belong in NYC.

[darkgalaxy]

A friend reported an expression unique to New Yorkers. If something was expensive, they said it cost "a nominal egg".
I didn't tell her the actual expression.

[Mccmatt]

I visited for just under a day in 2018. Enough time to see ground zero, the Statue of Liberty, grab a slice of pizza, ride the subway, and get a bodega sandwich. Felt I did everything I needed to do. Seeing stories out of there since the pandemic has killed any interest of me going there again

[fortress]

The opinion of NYC is subjective. Does it smell? Yes, but I actually like the smell. Is it crowded and expensive? Of course, it's NYC. Nowhere in the world will you find Rockefeller Center at Christmas. Radio City, Central Park, Empire State bld., Chrysler bld., World Trade memorial, Statue of Liberty, a hot dog or pretzel on the street all while seeing the human diversity all living (in most part) perfect harmony? And that is just a very small piece of the experience. I live on Long Island and NYC is about the experience, the history and the culture that does not exist any where in the world. However, Ryan is right on one point. If you go looking for something different you may be disappointed.

[GalvestonGuy]

I went to NYC for the first time in 2017. I was beyond impressed. Today I get the impression that it's being run by lunatics. From the greatest city in the world to a pitiful joke showcasing the fall of a once great country.

[cowfrank]

Always thought New York would be dirty depressing and dangerous.
Then I actually went there it was worse than that. Angry miserable place.

[jetsons]

What a GREAT watch, so much detail. I have been to NYC many times over the years, it's a fun place to visit but I would not want to live there (traffic.) Hope those are souvenir or movie prop $100 dollar bills being burnt. My last trip to NYC was a letdown because of the crime and trash, even Times Square looked better in the past, well maybe not counting the 70's.... NYC is a great city that needs help, a new mayor and new DA would be a good start. Thanks for posting. Top Notch Work