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THE US IS OPEN AND READY FOR BUSINESS


THANKFULLY, Chicago aims for the big 5-0


BY STEVE HARTRIDGE CHICAGO expects a surge in visitors over the next year or so, with a fresh wave of tourists enticed by new hotels, restaurants and attractions opening throughout the Windy City this year and next. Chicago, which will host next year’s IPW


(Pow Wow) trade show (April 5-9), is aiming for 50 million visitors by 2020, a figure that would put it in the top five of US cities in terms of tourism arrivals (it currently stands at number nine). “IPW, our first since 1998, will show off


the very best of Chicago to trade buyers from around the world. They will find a city transformed as they discover some of our 77 distinct neighbourhoods, our great parks, shopping, lakeside beaches and multicultural attractions,” said Kara Carmichael, International Public Relations Manager for Choose Chicago By 2016 nearly 2,000 new rooms will be added to Chicago’s current inventory of 36,000. A spate of openings this year includes The Langham Chicago, The


just as this column


was being wrapped up there was an eleventh-hour government


resolution to the US ‘partial shutdown’.


Hopefully, by the time you read this things will have returned to normal and the whole episode just a fading memory. Although


unfortunate for those


depending on visitors to the parks for their livelihood, and disappointing for tourists who had to change their holiday plans, the situation could certainly have been far worse. As


a destination the US – and


therefore, by default, those of us making our living out of selling it – can point to incredible diversity, which is of huge benefit during trying times like those we have just gone through. As an example,


Thompson Chicago and the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. They join an impressive range of five-star establishments such as the Trump Tower, which opened in 2008. Others soon due to leave the drawing board include Hotel Indigo, Soho House, Pizza East and the first-ever Virgin Hotel. The city is also winning its spurs for its


culinary excellence, with celebrity chefs investing in new eateries and bars, while new visitor attractions include Burberry’s largest US store, spread over five floors on North Michigan Avenue. Chicago also aims to become one of the most connected cities in the world: it recently launched high-speed Wi-Fi at five of its biggest beaches. choosechicago.com


although a


disappointing inconvenience, if the Statue of Liberty closes its doors then New York doesn’t lack other diversions – a lot of them free. Similarly,


if Around the USA in 80 days with Trekamerica


TREKAMERICA is planning an epic tour next year which will take in all 48 contiguous US states in 80 days. 'The Great 48 Road Trip' will depart Miami on May 9 before plotting a course to the most northern city in the lower 48: Seattle, Washington. Highlights along the way will include national parks, red rock landscapes, mountains and plains, with ‘surprise highlights’ of ‘real America’ including visits to the ‘waterpark capital of the


world’ the Wisconsin Dells, swimming in Homestead Crater (which was featured in the movie 127 Hours), spotting sea lions off the California coast and hiking the Appalachian Mountains. Also on the agenda will be cities like Las Vegas, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Chicago. The tour costs £5,699pp, or £6,459 including flights, with accommodation in a variety of camps, hostels, hotels and cabins. trekamerica.co.uk


NYC teams up with Macy’s for tourism push


NYC & COMPANY and iconic US superstore Macy’s have joined forces to bring a world-class tourist experience to 'The World’s Largest Store". Macy’s new Herald Square Visitor


Center is now co-branded with NYC & Company


as an Official NYC


Information Center and offers many new services. As part of the extensive renovation


plans for Macy’s Herald Square, Macy’s Visitor Center will be upgraded with NYC & Company’s state-of-the-art technology, information and ticketing services for NYC attractions. The enhanced visitor centre will


offer concierge-type services to restaurants, tours, and special offers on tickets to over 80 major attractions and events in the City, plus NYC & Company’s official visitor guides, maps and brochures. Last year, New York City welcomed a


record 52 million visitors and up to six million tourists visit Macy's. nycandcompany.org


www.sellinglonghaul.com


Yosemite, Zion or Yellowstone isn’t able to welcome visitors, then there are a host of other diverting state parks to explore, not to mention stunning vistas and breathtaking drives to discover. And then, of course, there are the numerous privately-run attractions, theme parks and museums. They say that out of every setback


arises an opportunity and certainly the longer the shutdown dragged on the more it reminded us of the need to be creative in how we promote the breadth and depth of the USA’s tourism offering, and the potential variety of experiences available to visitors. It was also a salutary reminder of the


importance of encouraging travellers to book through agents and tour operators, who will not only protect them in the event their travel plans are disrupted but will also be there with the right guidance to ensure they still get the most from their holiday.


Phil Bloomfield Head of PR, Virgin Holidays


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