Chicago hosting the olympics (Washington, Paris: how much, hotel, home)

[Skyline887]

What do you people think about chicago hosting the olympics and how much tourist could it possibly draw? How good do you think it will be for chicago's economy? I think it was be crazy. Assuming chicago has about 3-3.5 million people at 2016. the olympics could attract 5-6 million people. it will turn into new york for six months. I think the olympics might be a good way to advertise the city. I don't think many people outside The united states know about chicago. Its mainly new york and sometimes L.A.

[Steve-o]

Just what we need....more traffic.

[coldwine]

It isn't likely to happen that we'll win. And if we do, how the hell are we supposed to handle that many people?

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by coldwine

It isn't likely to happen that we'll win.

Why do you say that?

[StuyTownRefugee]

Originally Posted by Skyline887

What do you people think about chicago hosting the olympics and how much tourist could it possibly draw? How good do you think it will be for chicago's economy? I think it was be crazy. Assuming chicago has about 3-3.5 million people at 2016. the olympics could attract 5-6 million people. it will turn into new york for six months. I think the olympics might be a good way to advertise the city. I don't think many people outside The united states know about chicago. Its mainly new york and sometimes L.A.

New York's never hosted the Olympics, they always lose the bid. So it won't turn into NY. However, hosting it would certainly boost local economies for obvious reasons.

Chicago based United Airlines has already applied for new routes to Moscow and waiting for moves from Putin. Russia pulled the plugs on air routes a few years back by violating international agreements leaving United cold for expanding service in Russia and some Baltic cities and expanded CIS (Russian Federation), especially that were planning to offer direct or non-stop service and were US based. Before the Russian games in Sochi that will be next, this would reestablish some important routes between the US and Russia.

United is very important to Chicago. It definitely wants the games and to be able to service the city internationally from more places.

Waiting to see because other airlines are trying to form and United has once again filed with the DOT and FAA, as a US one along with others for more Russian Federation service.

[Attrill]

Originally Posted by Skyline887

What do you people think about chicago hosting the olympics and how much tourist could it possibly draw? How good do you think it will be for chicago's economy? I think it was be crazy. Assuming chicago has about 3-3.5 million people at 2016. the olympics could attract 5-6 million people. it will turn into new york for six months. I think the olympics might be a good way to advertise the city. I don't think many people outside The united states know about chicago. Its mainly new york and sometimes L.A.

I'm not worried at all about the number of people. Looking at what is already in place in terms of our size, infrastructure, and transportation compared to cities like Barcelona, Atlanta, Sydney, and Athens Chicago is very well prepared to handle it. Everything will be crazy for a couple weeks, but smaller cities with less infrastructure have handled it fine. Economically it will be a boon for the city. It will help to push through federal funding for work on a lot of projects - especially the CTA, O'Hare/Midway, Amtrack, and roads. There would be obvious support from Democrats and Dennis Hastert has signed on to help push the bid and lobby for federal funding for projects.

These facts, combined with the strength of the bid proposal, has made Chicago the favorite to win the bid on a number of betting sites. Rio has a good shot as well, but at this point it is pretty much between Rio and Chicago.

I agree that Chicago is not as well known as NY and LA, and that is why there is the potential for getting a real benefit out of hosting the Olympics. Barcelona used to be a regional vacation destination, but was not known at the international level. Chicago is the same way - if done right the Olympics could be a great marketing opportunity for Chicago. A lot of of things seem to be falling in place for this to happen, just think what will happen to Chicago if over the next 5 years we see the completion of the Spire, being named host for 2016, and possibly a President Obama. The key is making sure that it is done right, and so far it has been.

[cottonwood2420]

Originally Posted by Attrill

I'm not worried at all about the number of people. Looking at what is already in place in terms of our size, infrastructure, and transportation compared to cities like Barcelona, Atlanta, Sydney, and Athens Chicago is very well prepared to handle it. Everything will be crazy for a couple weeks, but smaller cities with less infrastructure have handled it fine. Economically it will be a boon for the city. It will help to push through federal funding for work on a lot of projects - especially the CTA, O'Hare/Midway, Amtrack, and roads. There would be obvious support from Democrats and Dennis Hastert has signed on to help push the bid and lobby for federal funding for projects.

These facts, combined with the strength of the bid proposal, has made Chicago the favorite to win the bid on a number of betting sites. Rio has a good shot as well, but at this point it is pretty much between Rio and Chicago.

I agree that Chicago is not as well known as NY and LA, and that is why there is the potential for getting a real benefit out of hosting the Olympics. Barcelona used to be a regional vacation destination, but was not known at the international level. Chicago is the same way - if done right the Olympics could be a great marketing opportunity for Chicago. A lot of of things seem to be falling in place for this to happen, just think what will happen to Chicago if over the next 5 years we see the completion of the Spire, being named host for 2016, and possibly a President Obama. The key is making sure that it is done right, and so far it has been.

The Olympics might be a great thing for Chicago as long as the city can accommodate that many visitors.

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by cottonwood2420

The Olympics might be a great thing for Chicago as long as the city can accommodate that many visitors.

I cant find the numbers offhand, but Im fairly certain Chicago's hotel capacity is second only to NY, with a ton of rooms coming online in the next few years.

[cdc3217]

Originally Posted by Attrill

I agree that Chicago is not as well known as NY and LA, and that is why there is the potential for getting a real benefit out of hosting the Olympics. Barcelona used to be a regional vacation destination, but was not known at the international level. Chicago is the same way - if done right the Olympics could be a great marketing opportunity for Chicago. A lot of of things seem to be falling in place for this to happen, just think what will happen to Chicago if over the next 5 years we see the completion of the Spire, being named host for 2016, and possibly a President Obama. The key is making sure that it is done right, and so far it has been.

As a visitor to the Atlanta Olympics -- I have to say I saw nothing of REAL Atlanta when I was down there -- only the "Olympics Atlanta". I think that's pretty typical. Maybe it will raise our profile internationally, but I doubt it will have a long-term tourism boost from other Americans.

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by cdc3217

As a visitor to the Atlanta Olympics -- I have to say I saw nothing of REAL Atlanta when I was down there -- only the "Olympics Atlanta". I think that's pretty typical. Maybe it will raise our profile internationally, but I doubt it will have a long-term tourism boost from other Americans.

Oh, no doubt its the city they want you to see. But thats really no different from the typical experience most people have when they visit other places...they hit up all the "touristy" spots, but probably dont take the time to venture off into the neighborhoods. The oppprtunity is there for you to expand your experience, you just have to take it and get out of what has been manufactured. Now Chicago may be somewhat different in its design because many of the venues actually are located either in the downtown or surrounding areas..and the Olympic Stadium would be in the Washington Park/Bronzeville neighborhood. So I think people would definitely be exposed more to the "real" Chicago than other Olympic cities, where venues are sprawled miles and miles away from each other.

In terms of attracting more long term tourism..I think we are already getting to that point. Millennium Park was huge in attracting more international attention. Walk around downtown on a summer day and just look at the tourists..theres a plethora of languages being spoken. Most are on their first visit. And most walk away incredibly impressed and go back home and talk up their experience. However, the typical images conjured up by most people internationally is still Michael Jordan/Al Capone/Stockyards. The renaissance the city has been undergoing for the past 10 years hasnt entered into the international consciousness. The Olympics would be a unparalleled opportunity to broadcast that makeover. Because thats essentially what the Olmpics are: a 2 week advertisement to the entire world.

Also, there are some inherent differences between Atlanta and Chicago. Atlanta is a U.S. regional hub. Chicago is a player on the international stage, and pretty much has been since its inception. A list containing Atlanta I would say includes cities like Denver, Miami, Phoenix, etc. While Chicago is in the same breath as New York, LA, London, Paris, etc. Chicago wont be hurt if it dosent land the Olympics..life will go on and development will continue to take place regardless. For a city the size and stature of Atlanta, a lot more is at stake in landing the games (as a side note, its probably the last time we will see an Atlants get the games. I think I read somewhere the IOC is trying to move away from these regional hubs and focus more on the true big players as host cities).