Visitors Flock to Philadelphia as City Popularity Grows

Following news that Pope Francis will be coming to the city in September came news last week that superstar singer Beyonce and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli would also be making appearances in the fall. If it seems to you lately like Philadelphia’s star is on the rise, you aren’t mistaken. The city is currently riding a wave of popularity that has seen much excitement gravitating in its direction.

Pope Francis’ visit is a sign of bigger things to come.

Meryl Levitz, president and CEO of Visit Philadelphia, was quoted recently by BizJournals.com as calling this the “new normal” – high-profile celebrities and people of importance choosing Philadelphia as a stopping point. The Pope’s visit definitely seemed to mark something of a turning point. He announced that he would be visiting the city last November, having chosen the spectacular setting of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for a mass to be held during the World Meeting of Families. The Dalai Lama will be coming to the city in October to receive the Liberty Medal, and the end of this year will also see acclaimed musical acts like The Weeknd, Beyonce, Andrea Bocelli, and Juanes roll into town. Levitz says that these are all signs that Philadelphia is on its way to becoming a global city.

Philadelphia has suffered in the past from a reputation as a “pass through” city between New York and Washington D.C., but signs would seem to indicate that the city is coming into its own. Being chosen to host high-profile visitors and large events is a great thing for the city, as it provides an economic boost to local businesses and is a moral upper for residents.