PHILADELPHIA >> With less than two days to go for the papal visit, city officials say it is now the City of Brotherly Love’s time to shine.
“In less than 46 hours his Holiness Pope Francis will be in Philadelphia and on the ground,” Philadelphia Mayor Mike Nutter said. “We’re honored, excited and we’re prepared.”
Jack Ferguson, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the city anticipates experiencing a $417 million revenue surge, $27 million stemming from the World Meeting of Families and $390 million from the papal visit.
With regards to expenses, Nutter said the city will be reimbursed for all costs related to the World Meeting of Families and the papal visit.
“There is no outlay of city funding at this point in time,” the mayor said. “Our costs are primarily personnel and we will get reimbursed for those costs.”
He said the city will compile the costs of these events and then invoice them to the World Meeting of Families.
In the meantime, tourism officials highlighted the opportunity facing the city with an international spotlight coming this way.
“We’re on the world stage, there’s absolutely no question about it,” Ferguson said. “This is our time to shine.”
Meryl Levitz, president and CEO of VISIT PHILADELPHIA,
“We’re very excited to have the opportunity … to welcome so many people at one time for such prestigious and beautiful events,” she said.
She noted the enthusiasm in the air and the feeling that something wonderful is going to happen evident in the city as seen in all the papal preparations.
John McNichol, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, said just the audio visual components stretching from the center to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway are the equivalent of 25 Super Bowls.
Nutter said there’s still time to reserve a room to enjoy the festivities.
“It’s not too late,” the mayor said, “if you want to, to book a hotel room for the weekend.”
He also said things will really start to kick into gear Friday, including the start of travel restrictions into and out of the city.
“Public transportation is the best way getting into the city and getting around the city,” he said.
For those wanting to drive into the city, he recommended doing so by 6 p.m. Friday because after that time movement will be limited to walking and biking.
He said the best walking routes would be available on phila.gov, as would information about items that are prohibited in secure areas.
Levitz said the initial euphoria following the announcement of Pope Francis’ visit was followed by a swing in the other way in terms of attitude, but that the excitement has returned and is warranted.
“This city is definitely ready for its close up,” she said, “and this city deserves it because it’s not only the transformation of the past few days but it’s the transformation over the last few years.”
Nutter said there’s still time to reserve a room to enjoy the festivities.
“It’s not too late,” the mayor said, “if you want to, to book a hotel room for the weekend.”
He also said things will really start to kick into gear Friday, including the start of travel restrictions into and out of the city.
“Public transportation is the best way getting into the city and getting around the city,” he said.
For those wanting to drive into the city, he recommended doing so by 6 p.m. Friday because after that time movement will be limited to walking and biking.
He said the best walking routes would be available on phila.gov, as would information about items that are prohibited in secure areas.
