Marathon Weekends Boost Travel Demand in Chicago and New York
Amadeus data reveals significant increases in both domestic and international travel demand surrounding the Chicago and New York marathon weekends. Air and hotel bookings show notable growth.
Amadeus IT Group is reporting a substantial rise in travel demand connected to the annual marathon events in Chicago and New York. The company's analysis indicates that both domestic and international travelers are increasing their flight and hotel bookings around these major sporting occasions.
The data shows that air travel into Chicago is set to increase by 13%, and into New York by 45% during the respective marathon weeks. Hotel occupancy in Chicago is currently at 85.9% for the marathon weekend, with the average daily rate (ADR) up 10.2% year-on-year. In New York, hotel occupancy stands at 58.1%, though the ADR has seen a 12.4% increase.
Internationally, key inbound markets include India, various European cities such as Rome and Milan, and Brazil, with São Paulo showing significant growth. These regions are contributing to the increased travel figures for both marathons.
Domestic travel is largely driven by passengers originating from Texas, with notable increases in arrivals from Houston and Dallas into both cities. While most travelers are undertaking short trips (1-5 nights), there is a growing trend in longer stays and group bookings, presenting opportunities for hotels to develop specialized packages.