Chicago Breaks Tourism Record In 2017

CHICAGO, IL — The city is celebrating a milestone—55.2 million people visited Chicago in 2017, according to the city's estimates. The number set a new tourism record, and reached Mayor Rahm Emanuel's goal of drawing 55 million annual visitors by the year 2020. In 2016, 48.3 million people visited Chicago.

Chicago hotels saw a 7.6 percent increase in 2017 during peak tourist season, which runs from June to September; however last year saw fewer business travelers. Hotel room bookings went up by 3.3 percent last year, according to the mayor's office. Eight hotels are scheduled to open in the city this year.

Emanuel said events like the NFL draft and the James Beard Foundation Awards have enticed more visitors. He also said new developments, such as the Riverwalk, boosted leisure travel. The Financial Times called the Riverwalk "complex, urbane and intriguing" and described Chicago as "perhaps the most architecturally aware city on earth."

The mayor also noted that accolades did their part: Conde Nast Traveler readers naming Chicago the "best big city," and Bon Appetit magazine naming Chicago the "restaurant city of the year."

With the Obama Presidential Center scheduled to open in 2021 in Jackson Park, the mayor said the tourism boost is expected to continue growing steadily.

Emanuel is scheduled to formally announce the city's 2017 tourism numbers Sunday at the Chicago Boat, RV & Sail Show at McCormick Place.

Photo by Amber Fisher