( CNN ) -- It 's been a big tourism year for the Big Apple . New York expects to draw more than 50 million visitors by the end of 2011 -- a record for the city , Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Tuesday . `` While playing host to the world is n't new for us , the number of visitors we 're welcoming in recent years is new , '' Bloomberg said during a ceremony in Times Square , while surrounded by cheering tourism officials . `` That means more guests in our hotels , more shoppers in our stores , larger audiences in our museums and theaters , more diners at our restaurants . '' The city reached the milestone a year ahead of schedule , Bloomberg said . Throughout 2011 , New York was the No . 1 city and overseas destination in the United States , his office added . To celebrate , the mayor named newlyweds Craig and Lucy Johnson from Lichfield , England , as the honorary 50 millionth visitors to New York and presented them with a `` golden ticket '' to the city . The couple will receive thousands of dollars ' worth of gift cards from New York retailers and tickets to a Broadway show . The Johnsons were among the 10.1 million international visitors to come to the city this year . Another 40.1 million tourists came from within U.S. borders . Tourism is a huge moneymaker for the city , generating $ 32 billion in visitor spending and $ 48 billion in economic impact , Bloomberg 's office said . `` New York City 's quality of life has contributed to this great success , and we are confident we will sustain the success of our tourism industry in the months and years ahead , '' Bloomberg said .
New York expects to draw more than one million visitors by the end of 2011 , mayor says . The number of visitors is a record for the city . The city reached the milestone a year ahead of schedule , mayor says .