Chicago improves student, motorcoach travel

As part of the marketing campaign “Chicago, Live It. Learn It. Love It,” the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau (CCTB) is trying to improve student and youth group travel to Chicago, which includes making it easier for motorcoach operators to visit the city. The CCTB provides information on student friendly attractions, restaurants and accommodations, including motorcoach parking facilities. “There are numerous groups from students to seniors that utilize motorcoaches for traveling to numerous destinations in the United States,” says Rick Simon, CEO of United Service Companies. “We have taken that process now through the Convention Bureau and made it easier, more efficient for the motorcoach operator.” Travel professionals can obtain a few helpful guides with information about Chicago from the CCTB, and the Travel Professionals Guide, a 150-page publication, especially helpful for those who plan individual or group leisure travel. The Motorcoach Parking & Map Guide features locations of free downtown motorcoach parking lots, “on street” parking areas, and several loading zones throughout Chicago. “The physical layout of the city makes public transportation within the city to all the venues extremely easy,” Simon says.