Tourism Officials Ready To Show What Philadelphia Has To Offer In 2015
By Justin Finch
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It's not too soon to start planning your 2015 social calendar.
"There's so much to do in Philadelphia that you just can't do it in a day," said Meryl Levitz, President and Chief Executive Officer of travel and tourism website VisitPhilly.com.
"A lot more people have been looking to see when are Philly's big events, or when are the neighborhood big events."
Those big events are what more locals and tourists are building their travels and budgets around.
For example, Levitz said many of our museums are rolling out new and exciting exhibits this year, with the Philadelphia Art Museum preparing to host a showcase of famous Impressionist masterpieces in June. The exhibition, "Discovering the Impressionists: Paul Durand-Ruel and the New Painting," explores the history and development of the artistic movement over the 19th and 20th centuries.
Also in June, the Delaware River will again host a parade of tall ships.
"Wherever the tall ships go, there is a feeling of romance and adventure, and international connection," Levitz added.
The majestic ships are a glimpse into the maritime past and allow visitors aboard from June 25 through 28. The event's co-sponsors include the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, Coopers Ferry, Adventure Aquarium, Independence Seaport Museum, and Draw Events LLC.
Back on land, what's being called the event of the year: the 2015 World Meeting of Families headlined by Pope Francis, in his first visit to the United States.
"It's amazing, and it was also very wonderful to get the good news a few months earlier than we all thought we were going to because all of the planning that goes into it," Levitz said.
The Pontiff's visit to Philadelphia has sparked unprecedented interest in all things Philadelphia, Levitz tells Eyewitness News. She said VisitPhilly has is fielding calls from media and interested parties from around the world who want to learn all they can about the City of Brotherly Love before the weeklong event which kicks off on September 21.
The Pope is not the only famous face scheduled to make a Philadelphia-area visit. The City is awaiting word on this year's Labor Day concert line ups.
"Welcome America and Made in America are put on by the Mayor and the City Reps' office, and they have delivered every single year, so who knows what try have cooking for this year," wondered Levitz.
With so many events and so much demand, there are only so many hotel rooms. Levitz's advice: start making plans now, especially given that Philly has emerged as a top three contender to host the 2016 Democratic National Convention.
In 2013, VisitPhilly estimated some 39 million tourists made their way to Philadelphia, and the agency projects 2015 could bring in even more travelers.
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