Welcome to / You are welcome to a place

[learntheworld]

Hello, everyone!
I have a question about the use of "Welcome to". For example, a Chinese is going to visit America and he plans to go to Chicago. After knowing this, his American friend who lives in Los Angeles wants to welcome him through an online message. Could the American friend say "Welcome to Chicago", though this American lives in Los Angeles, rather than in Chicago. (I seemed to be told by a native English speaker that in similiar cases "You are welcome to Chicago" should be used instead.) I'm not quite sure. Thank you for your kind help!

 

[kentix]

Is he still in China?

 

[learntheworld]

Is he still in China?

Yes, the Chinese is still in China. They were chatting online in that situation.

 

[dojibear]

1. Welcoming a person implies that you are a host and they are a visitor. You can only welcome them to a place they are visiting, and you can only welcome them if you live there.

So an LA resident can say "Welcome to the US!" but not to Chicago.

 

[kentix]

You can't welcome them to Chicago but you can say something like "I hope you have a good time in Chicago." or "I hope you enjoy Chicago."

 

[learntheworld]

1. Welcoming a person implies that you are a host and they are a visitor. You can only welcome them to a place they are visiting, and you can only welcome them if you live there.

So an LA resident can say "Welcome to the US!" but not to Chicago.

Thank you for your help! So, in this case, I guess "You are welcome to Chicago" is also incorrect?

 

[learntheworld]

You can't welcome them to Chicago but you can say something like "I hope you have a good time in Chicago." or "I hope you enjoy Chicago."

Thank you for your excellent suggestion! So, in this case, I guess "You are welcome to Chicago" is also incorrect?

 

[kentix]

Yes.

 

[learntheworld]

Yes.

Thank you very much, kentix! I understand it now.

Thank you very much for your help, dojibear! I know it now.