On a calm summer evening, runners follow their usual route in River North, a trendy area just outside Chicago's downtown business district, their path now converging with lively restaurant patios - a welcome change from the quiet pandemic era.
Like many downtown business districts around the world, the Chicago Loop became a ghost town during the pandemic. Commuters are now trickling back into the neighbourhood while the return of international visitors has prompted the reopening of several luxury downtown hotels, with an additional 1,338 daily rooms expected to be added to the city's inventory by the end of 2023.
Leisure travellers have driven Chicago's recovery, with the city welcoming a total of 31 million (predominantly domestic) visitors in 2021, an 86 per cent increase on 2020. In a tourism update this summer, Mayor Lori Lightfoot described the turnaround as "a true testament to Chicago's resilience and strength as a top destination for tourists, businesses, and events". The city also expects to reach pre-Covid levels of 2.1 million international visitors by 2024. Lightfoot added that the tourism numbers "show that visitors throughout the United States and the world are hungry to return to our incredible city".
The optimism is, in part, attributable to the growth in bleisure, with travellers' increasing tendency to combine business and pleasure boding well for the city.
"This new climate works well for us - Chicago has so much to offer to travellers, from worldclass meeting spaces to some of the best restaurants in the world to cultural and sports experiences that could supplement a business trip, says Lynn Osmond, president and chief executive of Choose Chicago, the city's tourism agency.
この記事は Business Traveller UK の October 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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この記事は Business Traveller UK の October 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore
BACKGROUND This biophilic property opened in June 2023 and is the second Pan Pacific hotel in the city, the other being the Pan Pacific Singapore. The hotel is a member of the Green Collection within the GHA Discovery loyalty programme. It is BCA Green Mark Platinum-certified for its sustainability credentials.
The Hoxton, Lloyd Amsterdam
BACKGROUND The Hoxton brand debuted in London's Shoreditch in 2006 and is part of Ennismore, in which Accor holds a majority stake. The brand has 16 properties across Europe and North America, including two in Amsterdam - the first opened in 2015 in the city centre, followed by this property in the Eastern Docklands in August 2023.
Ruby Zoe, London
BACKGROUND Germany's Ruby Hotels launched in 2013, and operates 17 properties in locations including Amsterdam, Dublin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Zurich.
London Hilton on Park Lane
BACKGROUND The London Hilton on Park Lane opened in 1963 - the first Hilton property in the UK. To celebrate its 60th anniversary last year, the hotel embarked on an extensive multi-million pound refurbishment led by the GA Group.
Philippine Airlines A321 business class SINGAPORE-MANILA
BACKGROUND Philippine Airlines operates flights from Singapore Changi Airport to Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport, using A321ceo aircraft, which stands for 'current engine option, indicating an older aircraft than the A321neo. My flight (PR502) was a morning departure at 1035, arriving 1425 local time in Manila.
Lima
Peru's coastal capital boasts colourful public parks, striking street art and generous plates of ceviche
The inside scoop
We chat to the president of luxury hotel and restaurant association Relais & Châteaux, which marks its 70th anniversary this month
Why business isn't better
Our 'columnist' this month explains why they believe economy class reigns supreme over business class
Here be dragons
For a city known for its densely packed streets and hectic pace of life, Hong Kong has a truly remarkable countryside
Provincial Provence
As Terre Blanche marks its 20th anniversary, we experience the resort's golfing and spa facilities as well as Michelin-starred food and blush rosé