We know the economy has not fully recovered, and it might be just a bit longer until we all feel better about the recession. But things do seem to be improving. And based on my recent business travel, I can say that people are going to places all over the country.
Yet, it was not long ago when people used the term “staycation” to get the family out of the house in the summer. Well, now it seems like more and more families are abandoning the local scene and heading out of town. And one of those places people visit includes Naperville! Yes, for those who are not from here, Naperville makes a great place to visit. With hundreds of activities, events and festivals, Naperville is a true vacation/ travel destination.
According to Christine Jeffries, President of the Naperville Development Partnership and the Naperville Convention and Visitors Bureau, “Hotel occupancy hit recovery levels in 2013 and 2014 is on track for 2 percent year-over-year growth. Recent planned hotel and banquet development is in part a testament to what developers think will happen to tourism in the future.”
Christine further noted that Naperville is one of the top wedding and sports destinations in the greater Naperville Area (DuPage County). Naperville currently is home to 16 hotel properties, most of which are anchored between the Chicago/Marriott-Naperville with 424 guest rooms at the east end of the corporate corridor and the Hotel Arista in CityGate Centre. Hotel Arista offers meeting and banquet facilities, restaurants and a spa all connected— it’s also where the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce hosts its Legislative Meetings.
According to Lisa Spaeth at the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce all the expansive conference spaces help generate significant economic benefit to our economy. All that said, whether you “staycation” or vacation, you have lots of options. As for our family, we split up this summer with half our time enjoying Naperville and the other half out of town. So, the next time you see me, ask me about my family’s day in Venice Beach, CA as well as the Aquabats Concert!
