Zohran Mamdani has a huge lead in the race to be the next mayor of New York City with an agenda focused on affordability. But the next mayor will also need a strategy for travel and tourism, an industry that fuels local jobs and global visibility.
With just days to go before the election, Mamdani spoke to Skift exclusively about his plans to boost tourism to the city.
Where does Mamdani stand on Airbnb? Short-term rentals have plummeted in NYC since Local Law 18 took effect in September 2023.
And the city will be a key host for the World Cup next summer — the biggest travel event of the year. How would a Mamdani administration capitalize on it at a time when travel to the U.S. overall has been down?
This interview has been edited for clarity.
Mamdani’s Stance on Airbnb
Rafat Ali: I know you’ve talked about Airbnb and how that intersects with affordability and housing. So what’s your current view on