Chicago Tourism News
Chicago tourism continues to break records
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Don Welsh, president of Choose Chicago, have announced the city has set multiple tourism records for the summer 2014 travel season. For the first time, Chicago saw records across all key performance indicators – demand, occupancy, supply, average daily rate, revenue per available room and overall revenue.
O’Hare International Airport reclaims global top spot
Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced today that, for the first time since 2004, O’Hare International Airport has regained its status as the world’s busiest airport for flight operations. The announcement was made at the end of the World Routes 2014 convention, the largest and most prominent business-to-business aviation event where airlines and airports decide where to fly in the future, which was held at McCormick Place this week.
Lucas selects Chicago for new museum
Star Wars creator George Lucas has selected Chicago over Los Angeles and San Francisco as the future home of his collection of art and movie memorabilia. The museum will be called the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.
New chief marketing officer for Choose Chicago
Choose Chicago president Don Welsh has announced the appointment of Shana Lee as the organisation’s chief marketing officer. Lee will be in charge of defining a sales and marketing strategy to further elevate the Chicago’s brand globally, with a mandate to capitalise on record leisure travel to Chicago and to infuse business travel strategies.
CTA President releases 2013 budget recommendations
Chicago Transit Authority President Forrest Claypool today proposed a $1.39 billion budget for 2013 that maintains current service levels, freezes base fares, and calls for modest reductions in discounts for CTA passes to bring them in line with other major U.S. cities.
Oh, what fun it is to ride and sing on the CTA holiday train
Dashing through the snow and over the rail lines they go, Santa and his reindeer began their annual visit to Chicago November 23, on the CTA Holiday Train—now in its 21st year. The CTA Holiday Train is a festive and one-of-a-kind tradition that’s unique to Chicago and is a fun way to enjoy the city during the holiday season.
Cleaner, brighter and more spacious Berwyn Red Line Station
Following a six-week temporary closure, a more spacious and revitalized Berwyn Red Line station was re-opened.
5000-Series rail cars make their first appearance on Red Line
After successful debuts on the Pink Line and Green Lines, the new 5000-series rail cars were added to the Red Line.
CTA: New offerings part of agency’s strategy to improve customer experience
The Chicago Transit Board today approved a plan to add 57 new automated teller machines to all eight CTA rail lines, increasing the number of ATMs for customers by 72 percent. In addition, the Board today approved five new leases that include a new produce shop, a new pastry shop and three newsstand locations at CTA rail stations, all of which will provide additional customer conveniences for CTA’s growing ridership and assist the agency in its ongoing efforts to increase non-farebox revenue.
Mayor Emanuel hails North Red Line station renewal work progress
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and CTA President Forrest Claypool officially welcomed community members to the newly rehabilitated Argyle Red Line station, which recently reopened following a six-week closure to allow crews to perform approximately $10.1 million in much-needed maintenance and capital improvement work to the 91-year-old facility.
CTA introduces Ventra: CTA and Pace’s new way to pay
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Pace unveiled Ventra™, a new fare payment system that will provide CTA and Pace customers with a new and more convenient way to pay for train and bus rides.
Chicago hotel prices spike ahead of the Ryder Cup
Hotel prices around the Medinah Country Club in the suburbs of Chicago have spiked significantly ahead of the Ryder Cup this weekend. The annual golf competition – which sees the finest American players take on those of Europe – has made affordable hotel rooms difficult to come by, according to a new survey by ChicagoHotels.org.