Chicago’s hospitality and tourism industry is expressing confidence in the city’s ability to withstand potential downturns, despite looming concerns regarding the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs and his rhetoric toward other countries that may deter international visitors.
This sentiment was echoed during the recent industry conference, the Summit in West Loop, which attracted 1,100 participants, including event planners, hotel operators, and suppliers, across various locations for educational sessions, networking opportunities, and a trade show.
Tim O’Malley, CEO of Ateema Media & Marketing, who has hosted the Summit for the past 24 years, noted that the atmosphere among hospitality professionals feels different this year.
“There’s an uneasiness. While we were planning this event, we were hearing that international travel is already waning,” O’Malley commented.
One notable effect is the decline in Canadian tourists, with several Canadian tour companies reporting cancellations of U.S. trips.
Many Canadian customers have backed out of visits to Chicago and other American cities in protest of Trump’s tariff policies and his representation of Canada as the “51st state.”
However, O’Malley pointed out that there is a silver lining for Chicago’s tourism-reliant businesses.
“The positive thing is that the average visitor to Chicago comes from a 300-mile radius, and some Americans may be wary about going overseas, so they may choose instead to visit big cities like Chicago,” he explained.
John Curran, vice president of Big Bus Tours, noted that potential cuts to the National Park Service could inadvertently attract more domestic visitors to Chicago.
“We may not get the international traveler, but we may see an influx of visitors from Indianapolis and Michigan, especially if they are unable to access the national parks,” he said.
Despite these domestic opportunities, Rich Gamble, interim president and CEO of Choose Chicago, highlighted the significance of international tourists.
“We know that international tourists stay longer and spend more, so it’s a priority for us,” Gamble stated during the keynote address at the conference.
While he reported that Chicago achieved a record $490 million in hotel tax revenue and sold 11.6 million hotel rooms in 2024, Gamble expressed caution about matching these figures this year.
“As we look to 2025, we anticipate another strong year but expect to see demand dip a bit,” he stated.
Alongside the decreased interest from Canadian travelers, demand from other countries appears stable, according to Amber Ritter, chief commercial officer at the Chicago Department of Aviation.
“Our international numbers are at record highs,” Ritter noted, while also addressing concerns about the future of international travel.
She indicated that while most airlines have not altered their routes, some still hesitate to add services due to current uncertainties.
At the Summit’s trade show, several Chicago tourism staples were present, including the Second City, Art Institute of Chicago, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
John Charron, audience services manager for Second City, commented, “We get a lot of international guests, especially in the summer. Tourism is huge, and any detriment to that can be an issue, but nobody really knows what will occur.”
Lois Motroni, vice president of the Chicago Hotel Concierge Association and a concierge at the Wade hotel in Streeterville, expressed her concern regarding international tourism’s decline.
“I haven’t seen an overall decline in visitors, but I’m very concerned about a decline in international tourism. It’s going to impact everything. It’s like a snowball; it will impact a lot of businesses,” Motroni remarked.
Randy Stancik, general manager of Skydeck at Willis Tower, emphasized the importance for businesses to remain focused amid external uncertainties.
“You have to block some of the noise out. We’re marathon runners, not sprinters,” Stancik said.
“We’ve been through COVID; we’ve been through 9/11; we’ve been through many recessions. A lot of times, you can paralyze yourself or find excuses not to move forward. We can’t get caught up in the noise. Just focus on what you do.”
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