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Tourism

Chicago aims big for tourists, New York City style

Kathy Bergen

Skift Take

Thinking big on tourism and going for large marquee projects, New York style, is going to be Chicago's new mantra -- even though it will never admit NYC inspiration.

A group of Chicago tourism officials and civic supporters who want to give the city's image and economy a boost is examining a slate of ideas for new attractions and amenities that include light shows playing off downtown skyscrapers, airborne glass cable cars running along the riverfront and designated luxury cars on the transit line to O'Hare. The brainstorming is taking place under the auspices of Choose Chicago, the not-for-profit that serves as the city's convention and tourism bureau. Bruce Rauner, its chairman, is leading the push, along with significant input from hotel investor Laurence Geller, Broadway in Chicago President Lou Raizin and Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts. The broad outlines of the vision, which aims to draw as much as $30 billion in private investment, are expected to be disclosed Thursday at the annual meeting of Choose Chicago. Other ideas include plane rides along the lakefr

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