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Don Welsh: Why international travel matters now more than ever

Don Welsh: Why international travel matters now more than ever

Chicago Tribune15 hours ago
Last month, Chicago played host to the most important annual gathering for international travel in the United States: IPW. This meeting brings together more than 5,000 delegates, including travel buyers, media and suppliers from more than 60 countries, and generates a projected $26 billion in future travel to the United States.
In July, Destinations International welcomed thousands more destination marketing professionals from across the globe to Chicago for our annual convention. To have these global events in the same city back to back is rare.
These are not ordinary gatherings. They are catalytic events with long-term benefits for Chicago's neighborhoods, its workforce and its reputation on the world stage. They also offer a powerful reminder: International travel is not just a leisure activity or economic statistic but one of our country's most effective engines for job creation, innovation and cultural exchange.
In 2023 alone, international travelers injected billions into the U.S. economy. While we have not fully regained pre-pandemic levels, the numbers are encouraging: Though 14.4% below 2019 figures, international visitor spending rose 33.1% last year. That gap is an opportunity and one Chicago is poised to seize. As home to United Airlines and two major international airports, O'Hare and Midway, the city is a critical gateway to America.
The United States remains the world's most powerful travel market, which contributed $2.36 trillion to the national economy last year. For cities such as Chicago, international travelers are more than a statistic. They stay longer, spend more and return often. Over 2 million international visitors arrived in the city last year, supporting hotels, restaurants, tour operators and small businesses in every neighborhood, from Uptown's music clubs to Pilsen's taquerias. These guests help support over 131,000 tourism-related jobs and generate more than $2.79 billion in tax revenues across Illinois.
But travel is about more than transactions. It's about transformation. Each international visitor who walks the Chicago Riverwalk, takes an architectural boat tour, tours Pullman's historic district or samples West Side soul food returns home with a new narrative — one that often contradicts the headlines. Travel builds empathy, curiosity, and respect for the people who live in those communities. It opens our hearts and minds to other cultures. Long after a trip is over, international visitors share the highlights and memories of their trip.
Glenn Eden: Who is Chicago's greatest ambassador? You.There's a strategic edge to international visitation, too. The goods and services purchased by foreign visitors are classified as exports and represent approximately $200 billion annually. That surpasses the value of all U.S. agricultural exports combined.
According to the U.S. Travel Association, a 1% drop in international visitor spending costs our country $1.8 billion in export revenue. The stakes are real.
That's why public-private initiatives such as Brand USA are indispensable. Created by Congress to market the United States abroad, Brand USA works together with cities such as Chicago to revive travel and enhance our global visibility. In 2024, its campaigns generated 1.6 million incremental international visitors who spent $6 billion, driving total economic impact of nearly $13 billion and sustaining almost 80,000 U.S. jobs. In an increasingly competitive global travel market, Brand USA is one of our sharpest tools.
Unfortunately, Congress is on the cusp of reducing Brand USA's federal funding by 80% — despite President Donald Trump requesting full funding in his annual budget.
Congress could not have picked a worse time to propose cutting Brand USA's funding. We are on the cusp of what the U.S. Travel Association rightly calls a 'golden age of travel.' In addition to this summer's FIFA World Cup, over the next four years, the United States will also host the 2025 Ryder Cup, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2028 Olympics, the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and America's 250th anniversary. These events are expected to attract more than 40 million international visitors, representing a nearly $100 billion economic opportunity.
Recent developments also put at risk our ability to capitalize on this moment, from visa processing delays to mixed messaging on America's openness. Chicago may have globally connected airports, a world-class cultural calendar and local leaders who understand the power of tourism, but without smart federal policy and robust funding for national marketing efforts, it and other U.S. destinations risk falling behind. The competition for international visitors is fiercer today than ever and deserves attention as one of our most coveted exports.
Under the leadership of Kristen Reynolds, Choose Chicago is doing its part to meet the moment and take advantage of the opportunities in front of us. Along with other destination organizations across the country, they work to ensure that tourism brings lasting value to residents by promoting responsible travel, supporting local businesses and telling authentic stories that reflect the city's full diversity. Through planning, partnerships and investment in place-based strategies, they help strike the balance between visitor growth and resident well-being.
As we look to the future, the United States must reaffirm its commitment to being a welcoming, accessible and globally engaged destination. The opportunity is immense, but only if we embrace policies, partnerships and investments that make international travel easier, safer and more inclusive. Let us recognize international tourism not only as a driver of prosperity, but as a powerful force for peace, understanding and shared progress in an increasingly connected world.
As host to two of the travel industry's most important global gatherings this year, Chicago is helping lead the way.
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Don Welsh: Why international travel matters now more than ever
Don Welsh: Why international travel matters now more than ever

Chicago Tribune

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Don Welsh: Why international travel matters now more than ever

Last month, Chicago played host to the most important annual gathering for international travel in the United States: IPW. This meeting brings together more than 5,000 delegates, including travel buyers, media and suppliers from more than 60 countries, and generates a projected $26 billion in future travel to the United States. In July, Destinations International welcomed thousands more destination marketing professionals from across the globe to Chicago for our annual convention. To have these global events in the same city back to back is rare. These are not ordinary gatherings. They are catalytic events with long-term benefits for Chicago's neighborhoods, its workforce and its reputation on the world stage. They also offer a powerful reminder: International travel is not just a leisure activity or economic statistic but one of our country's most effective engines for job creation, innovation and cultural exchange. In 2023 alone, international travelers injected billions into the U.S. economy. While we have not fully regained pre-pandemic levels, the numbers are encouraging: Though 14.4% below 2019 figures, international visitor spending rose 33.1% last year. That gap is an opportunity and one Chicago is poised to seize. As home to United Airlines and two major international airports, O'Hare and Midway, the city is a critical gateway to America. The United States remains the world's most powerful travel market, which contributed $2.36 trillion to the national economy last year. For cities such as Chicago, international travelers are more than a statistic. They stay longer, spend more and return often. Over 2 million international visitors arrived in the city last year, supporting hotels, restaurants, tour operators and small businesses in every neighborhood, from Uptown's music clubs to Pilsen's taquerias. These guests help support over 131,000 tourism-related jobs and generate more than $2.79 billion in tax revenues across Illinois. But travel is about more than transactions. It's about transformation. Each international visitor who walks the Chicago Riverwalk, takes an architectural boat tour, tours Pullman's historic district or samples West Side soul food returns home with a new narrative — one that often contradicts the headlines. Travel builds empathy, curiosity, and respect for the people who live in those communities. It opens our hearts and minds to other cultures. Long after a trip is over, international visitors share the highlights and memories of their trip. Glenn Eden: Who is Chicago's greatest ambassador? a strategic edge to international visitation, too. The goods and services purchased by foreign visitors are classified as exports and represent approximately $200 billion annually. That surpasses the value of all U.S. agricultural exports combined. According to the U.S. Travel Association, a 1% drop in international visitor spending costs our country $1.8 billion in export revenue. The stakes are real. That's why public-private initiatives such as Brand USA are indispensable. Created by Congress to market the United States abroad, Brand USA works together with cities such as Chicago to revive travel and enhance our global visibility. In 2024, its campaigns generated 1.6 million incremental international visitors who spent $6 billion, driving total economic impact of nearly $13 billion and sustaining almost 80,000 U.S. jobs. In an increasingly competitive global travel market, Brand USA is one of our sharpest tools. Unfortunately, Congress is on the cusp of reducing Brand USA's federal funding by 80% — despite President Donald Trump requesting full funding in his annual budget. Congress could not have picked a worse time to propose cutting Brand USA's funding. We are on the cusp of what the U.S. Travel Association rightly calls a 'golden age of travel.' In addition to this summer's FIFA World Cup, over the next four years, the United States will also host the 2025 Ryder Cup, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2028 Olympics, the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and America's 250th anniversary. These events are expected to attract more than 40 million international visitors, representing a nearly $100 billion economic opportunity. Recent developments also put at risk our ability to capitalize on this moment, from visa processing delays to mixed messaging on America's openness. Chicago may have globally connected airports, a world-class cultural calendar and local leaders who understand the power of tourism, but without smart federal policy and robust funding for national marketing efforts, it and other U.S. destinations risk falling behind. The competition for international visitors is fiercer today than ever and deserves attention as one of our most coveted exports. Under the leadership of Kristen Reynolds, Choose Chicago is doing its part to meet the moment and take advantage of the opportunities in front of us. Along with other destination organizations across the country, they work to ensure that tourism brings lasting value to residents by promoting responsible travel, supporting local businesses and telling authentic stories that reflect the city's full diversity. Through planning, partnerships and investment in place-based strategies, they help strike the balance between visitor growth and resident well-being. As we look to the future, the United States must reaffirm its commitment to being a welcoming, accessible and globally engaged destination. The opportunity is immense, but only if we embrace policies, partnerships and investments that make international travel easier, safer and more inclusive. Let us recognize international tourism not only as a driver of prosperity, but as a powerful force for peace, understanding and shared progress in an increasingly connected world. As host to two of the travel industry's most important global gatherings this year, Chicago is helping lead the way.

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Missed Your United Airlines Flight? Here's What You Can Do Next

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