August 31st, 2009 by admin
Smart Destinations, the company behind the Go City Cards and Explorer Pass, hit a milestone in August when the 3 millionth visit occurred using one of its products. The visit occurred at Skydeck Chicago using a Go Chicago Card. Skydeck recently opened The Ledge, retractable glass-floored bays that extend over four feet outside the tower to allow visitors to gaze 103 floors straight down from America’s tallest building.
“We’ve continued to grow strongly in 2009,” said Cecilia Dahl, founder and President of Smart Destinations. “Beyond the savings component of our product we know from our customers that they see this as a way to travel smarter as well as more economically.” Dahl points to markets like Hawaii as a place where relatively well heeled travelers are embracing Smart Destinations’ Go Oahu and Go Maui cards and driving strong growth for the company.
“This is the equivalent of BMW’s in the Costco parking lot or the spread of private sale shopping sites,” said Dahl. “These aren’t customers who need a deal. But they like knowing they have been smart enough to get one.” Smart Destinations has seen growth across its 14 destinations in 2009, from Hawaii and San Diego to Miami and Boston.
The customer making the 3 millionth visit used a Go Chicago Card, one of Smart Destination’s flagship ‘Go City Cards’. Go City Cards allow a customer to pay a single price and then use the card as their entry ticket to as many as 80 different attractions in a given destination. Smart Destinations other product, the Explorer Pass, similarly allows customers to save time and money by paying once for the card and then using it for a set number of attractions in their destination of choice. The products area available across North America – from Oahu to Boston, San Diego to Toronto, and a dozen top destinations in between.
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Chicago Card.
August 14th, 2009 by cecilia d
As the summer winds down, things are heating up in . The folks at the are preparing for the final show in the Jamin at the Zoo summer concert series. On August 28, 2009 Singer songwriter Angel Taylor will open the show; followed by headliners FIVE FOR FIGHTING whose 2000 album America Town went platinum with the hit song “Superman.”The concerts are held in the middle of the at the south lawn making for one of the most unique show venues in town. Tickets are priced from $21-$28 and can be purchased online at www.lpzoo.org, in person at the Zoo’s Gateway Pavilion or by phone at (312) 742-2283. Bring a blanket to sit on and get ready for a great evening.
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Chicago Card.
August 7th, 2009 by cecilia d
If you’re heading to Chicago, you might want to extend your congratulations to the most unique pair of expectant mothers in the city. Shedd Aqauarium has announced that two female beluga whales, Puiji (poo-EE-jee) and Naya (NI-yah) are both expecting calves this fall. The whales recently returned to Shedd’s newly renovated Oceanarium from the Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration in Mystic, CT and were confirmed pregnant through blood tests and ultra sound exams in May. Shedd Aquarium is one of Six North American aquariums and zoos committed to the public display and breeding of beluga whales. The whale habitats were part of the recent renovation and feature new ledges around the exhibits and a permanent observation station which will better connect guests with the animals. Puiji and Naya will continue their regular training sessions but are not expected to be participating in the new marine mammal show or beluga encouter program for the forseeable future.” This is an exciting time for us at Shedd Aquarium, with the re-opening of the Oceanarium earlier this summer and two of our most recognizable animals expecting calves” said Ken Ramirez, senior vice president of animal collections and training. ”Both whales are healthy and their pregnancies are progressing normally. While we remain cautiousy optimistic, we are equally thrillled. Our animal care and health experts continue to provide the very best 24-hour care to both beluga moms.
Planning a trip to
Chicago?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Chicago Card.
