A Chronology of Translation in Tourism and Trade and its Economic Success its had upon Chicago.

The City of Chicago has one of the most diverse economies in the U.S. and is considered to be among the top global financial centers.  Not only is Chicago home to a vast, successful business landscape, it is also filled with tourism friendly attractions and resorts.  With leisure and business both serving major drivers of the city’s economy, Chicago translation services are crucial to maintaining and even accelerating economic success.

2005

Chicago’s Korea National Tourism organization recognized that even with nearly 45,000 Koreans visiting every year there remained an opportunity. So, Chicago Guide, a Korean-language guidebook was published and distributed to Korean cultural organizations and featured activities of interest like golfing and fishing in Chicago, as well paying attention to universities in the area. As part of a long-term plan, this book appears to have played an excellent role.

2010 – 2014

For the city of Chicago, tourism and especially international tourism produces an enormous part of the economic activity in the region. From 2010 – 2014 tourism added more than $870 million in tax revenue to the Chicago coffers.

2016

Tourism hit an all-time high of 53.8 Million! From within the United States, tourism increased by just over 3% and during 2016, international tourism continued to climb with India (+7.1%), South Korea (+10.2%) and China (+22.7%). Thanks to local officials including the Governor and Mayor, the city’s Visitors Bureau Choose Chicago, continues to reach visitor nationally and internationally. In addition, all of that traffic contributed to direct tourism-related spending increases of over 2%. The final tally for tourism spending in 2016 was $15 Billion. And as you can imagine, one of the most effective ways to communicate with tourists is in their own language. With tourists from India speaking over 22 recognized languages including Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Hindi and more, accurate and professionally translated displays, menus and maps aid tourist to do what they do best, spend. Translation services for South Korea and China can be found in tour bus schedules, hotels, and restaurants throughout this sprawling city.

2017

That alone would be quite impressive. However, in 2017 a new peak of 55.2 Million people traveled to Chicago. This reaches a goal by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, 2 years ahead of schedule! In fact, the Mayor’s office credits the tourism industry with an estimated 146,500 jobs. That’s 22,000 more positions than 2011 when Emanuel took office.

2018

With an eye on international business, tourism and cultural diversity, The Chicago Children’s Museum has a recent exhibit designed by 5 children from Seoul, titled “Heart & Seoul: Growing up in Korea”

More than Tourism

Within greater Chicago are an estimated 25 Korean companies including such names as Hyundai, Korea Airlines, Korean Business Development Center (houses several Korean companies), LG Electronics and Samsung. As international companies select US-based locations, the need for interpreters and document translation increases. Bringing current corporate business practices into a western location includes employment agreements, corporate employee handbooks and numerous other documents for translation.

Trade works in both directions

As Korea imported approximately $5.8 Billion in goods to Illinois in 2016, Illinois exports were roughly $1.2 Billion. As these goods are packed and shipped, instructional and information documents, which have been professionally translated are included. This boom for international business is supported to a great degree by experienced translation agencies like Eging Translation.