It s not as easy as it seems, for me as well as you. Chicago is a business, not a tourist, destination. Drawing tourists takes a focused, planned effort, just as attracting any other new audience does. None of us can afford to attract tourists to our region or city on our own. We must partner with other attractions, both cultural and non-cultural, and, most important, with city and state offices of tourism, chambers of commerce and convention bureaus.
Collaboration takes time and energy.
If you want to attract tour groups, remember that tour operators like package deals. The tour operator only has to call Shedd to book all three, and the per person price is less expensive than booking separately. By the way, you should offer a discount to registered travel agents who bring in groups of 15 or more. Working with your city and state agencies can be the most rewarding of all. Soon, you ll be helping the agency set its tourism strategy, you ll pick up some pointers and the agency staff will ensure that you get star billing in their promotional materials.