The Big Apple is on track to host a record number of visitors in 2010.

City officials say preliminary tourism data show New York is on course to reach 47.5 million tourists and visitors this year. That’s half a million more than the previous record in 2008 and a 4 percent increase over 2009.

Last year, as more Americans reined in their spending amid the recession, New York City’s tourism numbers slipped for the first time since 2001, to 45.6 million.

Tourism is New York City’s fifth largest industry, pouring about $30 billion a year in direct spending into the economy.

One in nine workers in New York City are employed in hospitality jobs like hotels, restaurants, museums and theaters.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has a goal of reaching 50 million visitors by 2012.