Chicago is Booming! (renting, casinos, taxes)

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by nearnorth

Tourism is about money. If the tourists are spending it, I don't think the city much cares where they're coming from.

I agree in general, but I believe foreign tourists typically spend a lot more than domestic tourists.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by tawfiqmp

Seems like a good thing for Rahm, he's been really pushing for more tourism.

What I want to know is the non-regional numbers and international numbers. Chicago will always get regional tourists because of being in the midwest and being that one large city compared to the rest of the midwest. Houston similarly also gets a lot of regional visitors but their international and non-regional tourists aren't very high. I think that's those two reasons are the way to judge the true mark of a city's tourism.

I've been doing my part - I hosted about 80 tourists last year.

[Lucky Clover]

Originally Posted by nearnorth

Tourism is about money. If the tourists are spending it, I don't think the city much cares where they're coming from.

Not my point. I understand that, but I'm just talking about from a reputation standpoint. That's what really matters for Rahm's tourism goal to reach 50 million.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

I agree in general, but I believe foreign tourists typically spend a lot more than domestic tourists.

Yes, because it costs more to fly internationally on average so they tend to have more $$ in general than the family who drove from Ohio.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Yes, because it costs more to fly internationally on average so they tend to have more $$ in general than the family who drove from Ohio.

Plus favorable exchange rate and/or cheaper goods in general in the US.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

Plus favorable exchange rate and/or cheaper goods in general in the US.

This is true. Always funny how my ex's dad (family lives overseas) would ask her to send Tommy Hillfigger shirts because they are considered more upscale in some parts of the world and they're way cheaper here.

[Attrill]

Originally Posted by tawfiqmp

Chicago will always get regional tourists because of being in the midwest and being that one large city compared to the rest of the midwest. Houston similarly also gets a lot of regional visitors but their international and non-regional tourists aren't very high. I think that's those two reasons are the way to judge the true mark of a city's tourism.

Chicago is always in the top 10 for international tourist destinations in the US, usually falling between 5th and 8th depending on how the list is calculated. Typically we rank behind NYC, LA, Miami and SF in terms of cities, and then also behind the tourism based cities - Orlando and Las Vegas. On some lists we switch places with DC, Boston, and Honolulu. Houston doesn't come close to making the top 10 for tourism, but sees a decent number of foreign business travellers.

[nearnorth]

Originally Posted by tawfiqmp

Not my point. I understand that, but I'm just talking about from a reputation standpoint.

And I'm saying $ is what matters, not "reputation" (whatever that even means in this case). That's the goal of tourism.

Vlajos's post about international tourists spending more than local ones is a good point, though. We should really be measuring tourism in terms of dollars, not in terms of number of tourists.

[nearnorth]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Yes, because it costs more to fly internationally on average so they tend to have more $$ in general than the family who drove from Ohio.

They also probably stay longer on average, which is where the real difference in money spent would come from.

[Lucky Clover]

Originally Posted by nearnorth

And I'm saying $ is what matters, not "reputation" (whatever that even means in this case). That's the goal of tourism.

Vlajos's post about international tourists spending more than local ones is a good point, though. We should really be measuring tourism in terms of dollars, not in terms of number of tourists.

In order to grow further, reputation is what matters. If it becomes increasingly popular, that will bring in more people which is what Rahm's goal is. Money matters too, not saying it doesn't, but I was just speaking towards all the attractions they're supposedly adding to attract more people (especially non-regional travelers). I doubt Chicago can ever be the international tourist destination NYC or LA is, but I don't think it's impossible for them to reach a city like Miami or even SF internationally if they market it well.