Smart Destinations has announced its newest offering: the Go Chicago Card, soon to be available for the Chicagoland market. Smart Destinations plans to release the card in May, with over 20 top attractions participating. The company will operate a local office to support partners in this market and will actively market Chicago as a top destination to travelers across the globe through its extensive relationships with domestic and international tour operators and participation in global travel marketing activities.
"The Go Chicago Card is an exciting new way for the city to present itself to travelers, and an opportunity for us to expand the channels through which we draw visitors each year. We are pleased to welcome Smart Destinations as they expand into Chicago and become a part of our world-class city," said Brad Lewis, Vice President, Tourism, of the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau.
Go Chicago Card will feature unlimited admission to Chicago’s finest attractions including: Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, The New Hancock Observatory, Gray Line of Chicago’s famous two-day hop-on/hop-off trolley tour and guided day trips including North Side Tour, South Shore Tour and Inside Chicago: The Grand Tour. The card will also include a Shoreline Sightseeing Skyline Boat Tour and Architectural River Cruise, Chicago Historical Society Museum admission and guided walking tours, admission to the Frederick C. Robie House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, a series of walking tours led by the Chicago Architecture Foundation and more. Visitors also receive a free full-color pocket guidebook and savings of up to 20 percent on shopping and dining throughout the city.
The Go Chicago Card will be available for an introductory price starting at $39 for a one-day pass. Visitors will be able to purchase the Go Chicago Card online at GoChicagoCard.com or through any of Smart Destinations global distribution partners. The card will also be an included component in a number of hotel packages and weekend getaways and will be marketed as a valuable add-on for meeting and convention delegates.
"Go Cards simplify the destination experience for customers, and significantly streamline the process for attractions," said Cecilia Dahl, president of Smart Destinations. "Our easy-to-carry card and companion guidebook highlighting local sites let travelers better tailor a visit based on schedules and interests, at a fraction of the price they would normally pay. Attractions benefit from our marketing, global distribution and ability to facilitate the customer experience, track usage and deliver payment promptly."
"Major tour operators, meeting planners and travel consultants embrace the Go Card, allowing them to showcase the entire destination experience in a flexible, ‘one-size-fits-all’ product. Visitors enjoy the Go Card because it provides them with an easy way to explore the city and to move freely from attraction to attraction without worrying about the cost of admission fees. People actually do and see more because it’s easy," added Dahl.
The rapid growth and success of Smart Destinations products in Boston and San Francisco impressed Go Chicago Card partners. Additionally, attraction partners appreciate Smart Destinations’ advanced paperless technology, and ongoing, detailed reports about usage and automatic, on-time payment. The success of the Go Cards also attracted the attention of Zon Capital Partners and North Hill Ventures, the venture arm of Capital One, both recent investors supporting the expansion into Chicago. |
