Data Shows Tourism on the Rise

Posted on October 7th, 2011 by

Things are looking up for the hotel and tourism industry.

What you just heard right now was sighs of relief and cheers for joy.

According from a recent report from the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, Chicago’s downtown hotel community had a great month for August. Hotels had 82.7% occupancy, which is up 2.7% from August of 2010. Chicago’s hotels also had a daily rate of $171.54, a 6.3% positive change, and revenue available per room rose to $141.94, a 9.1% change.

In terms of year to date, hotels had a 70.8% occupancy rate (up 3.1% since August 2010), an average daily rate of $170.44 (up 5.8%), and revenue available per room of $120.74 (up 9.1%).

Also, Chicago was selected as the host city for the World Routes Development Forum in September 2014. The city will host 3,000 delegates from the airline, airport and tourism industry to discuss matters related to commercial airline route development.

And in another piece of good news, the Chicago-China tourism relationship is thriving. Chicago had 97,000 visitors from China in 2010, which is up from the 72,000 they received in 2009 (a 35% increase). Thanks to Cathay Pacific Airways’ new nonstop flight to Hong Kong, Chicago now has six daily flights to China, reaching cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. That daily Cathay Pacific flight is crucial: it is expected to bring $200 million in new economic activity to the Chicago region, according to Don Welsh, president of the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau.

People in the hotel and tourism industry see these trends continuing through 2012 and beyond.

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Outdoor Dining Advertising Opportunity

Posted on May 12th, 2010 by

Today is a little gray, but the weather is trending towards summer. Soon, you’ll all be hounded for recommendations on your favorite outdoor eating and drinking spots.

Concierge Preferred is listening. Starting in June, we’ll be featuring an Outdoor Dining Directory in our print magazines and online at www.conciergepreferred.com.

If you work with an alfresco dining spot, consider advertising with us! Get your location in the hands of tourists and Chicagoans alike.

Seize the day and contact CP at (312) 360-1770 or email Jim Gilligan for rate quotes and further opportunities.

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Business Changing at McCormick Place?

Posted on April 29th, 2010 by

Even though the economy is turning around, people are most certainly still watching the bottom line. New business strategies are emerging, even in an establishment as strong as McCormick Place.

Last week, Mayor Daley spoke up about his proposed changes to the operations of the convention center. Instead of being the full-service venue that it is, Daley recommends allowing conventioneers to organize their own food, lights, etc. He proposes that McCormick should only do PR and sales.

Change is good, especially if it attracts business. Who knows if this plan will work? We’ll all have to wait and see.

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The Travel Promotion Act

Posted on April 7th, 2010 by

In February of this year, the U.S. Senate and President Obama approved the Travel Promotion Act to help boost international travel to the U.S. That means more clientele for all of us!

This new marketing budget aims to attract 1.6 million new international visitors, estimated to spend about $4 billion while they are here. In addition to feeding our own coffers, it also would kick in about $321 million in new federal tax revenue at no cost to the American taxpayer.

Everyone knows that times have been tough for travel and hospitality professionals. Let’s hope this helps turn things around. Chicago has more than ever to offer our international guests, so freshen up your foreign language skills and fly your international flags high!

More on the Travel Promotion Act

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Marketing in the New Reality

Posted on February 18th, 2010 by

Erin Clark, Group Management Director at JWT, began an afternoon breakout session at the 2010 Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism with a Chinese proverb: “To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.” It might seem simple, but it might be what saves your business in this “new reality.”

“There’s a much broader competitive set, now,” said Clark when we spoke before the session, called Marketing in the New Reality.

Visitors’ decisions about time and money are changing, explained Ann Mack, Director of Trendspotting at JWT. People aren’t deciding between getaways—they’re deciding between a getaway and a new washer and dryer. “You have to be very smart and get people to see why they should be spending their time and money with you,” said Clark. (more…)

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