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Michelin Guide expands to Philadelphia region
Michelin Guide expands to Philadelphia region

Axios

time12-05-2025

  • Business
  • Axios

Michelin Guide expands to Philadelphia region

Philadelphia is a newly minted Michelin city. Why it matters: The Michelin Guide is considered by some the gold standard of dining, a signal to the world that a city's restaurant scene has arrived. Driving the news: The Philly region will be included in the Michelin Guide Northeast Cities edition alongside Boston, the only other freshman member. The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau revealed its partnership with France-based Michelin on Monday. Zoom out: Philly and Boston join the ranks of Chicago, New York City and D.C., which have been included in the guide for years. How it works: The company is best known for issuing its coveted stars, which range from one to three. Anonymous inspectors visit local restaurants, unannounced, to determine which deserve the accolade. Restaurants that receive stars are often lauded as among the best in the world. Flashback: In 2023, Michelin added Philly to its Green Guides, which highlight attractions, restaurants and hotels. The intrigue: Bringing the pay-to-play Michelin Guide to town typically comes with a heavy price tag. Visitors Bureau spokesperson Robin Bloom declined to reveal how much its partnership with Michelin costs, telling Axios the terms of the agreement are not public. But state and local tourism boards in Miami, Tampa and Orlando, Florida, agreed in 2022 to shell out $1.5 million to Michelin over three years to get in the guide. Atlanta is paying out $1 million, while Texas and five of its metros landed a guide for $900,000. Meanwhile, some areas have declined to participate due to costs, like Virginia. The big picture: Philly's restaurants and chefs have been in a league of their own in recent years — winning national recognition, big awards, opening hip spots and setting the standard for outstanding dining. "Our chefs, restaurateurs, and hospitality professionals have been steadily building our city into an internationally acclaimed foodie destination," Gregg Caren, president and CEO of the Philly visitors bureau, said in a statement. What's next: Philly tourism and elected officials, as well as Gov. Josh Shapiro, will join Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, Tuesday at the Barnes Foundation for a news conference about the partnership.

Philadelphia's tourism industry faces headwinds in this political climate
Philadelphia's tourism industry faces headwinds in this political climate

Axios

time30-04-2025

  • Business
  • Axios

Philadelphia's tourism industry faces headwinds in this political climate

Philadelphia's top international tourism agency is monitoring the volatile political climate while forging ahead with trying to lure foreign travelers to the region. Why it matters: Any decline in global tourism could bang up a billion-dollar money-maker for the Philly region. Context: Trade wars, the charged and unpredictable economic and political climate, plus fears of detainment or harassment may be dissuading foreigners from visiting the U.S. State of play: The unpredictability and daily policy changes at the federal level are among the biggest challenges facing the regional tourism industry, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau spokesperson Pattie Gillett tells Axios. Meanwhile, some international travelers are already changing their plans. Canadian bus tours along Interstate 95 are being canceled, while a business delegation from Canada recently nixed a trip to the city, per the Inquirer. "We're cautious," Gillett said. "We recognize that the situation isn't ideal." The big picture: Uncertainty around international travel to Philly comes right as the region is gearing up to host some big-ticket events in 2026, including the nation's 250th anniversary, FIFA World Cup matches and the MLB All-Star Game. By the numbers: 1.2 million international tourists trekked to our region in 2024, up from 1.1 million the previous year, per the visitors bureau. They spent $681 million, which resulted in a $1.1 billion economic impact for the region. The city's tourism economy and visitors bureau support more than 77,000 hospitality jobs alone. Between the lines: The visitors bureau continues to promote Philly through 10 partners across the globe — including China, France, India and Germany. 🇨🇦 Zoom in: Canadians are the region's top international travelers, accounting for 45% of all visits last year, per the visitors bureau. Surprised? Philly's connections to Canada are numerous. Besides hosting Canada's major league sports team in South Philly, the Philadelphia Orchestra and Philadelphia Museum of Art are led by Canadians. 👂 What we're hearing: There's a growing fear that fewer international travelers will visit Philly and other Northeast cities in 2026 for America's 250th anniversary, Peter van Berkel, president of Travalco, a Florida-based international tour company, tells Axios. "We have to restore the confidence of travelers that people are welcome," says van Berkel, who books about 20% of his international travelers to the Northeast.

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