Choose Chicago Sees Large Rise in UK and Irish visitors

In 2022, Chicago welcomed over 30,000 visitors from Ireland, marking one of the strongest recoveries of any country and capturing a 97% recovery share when compared to 2019 visitor volume. 96,000 visitors from the UK were also recorded in 2022, supporting current expectations of full recovery from both the UK and Irish markets by 2025.

Visitors from these overseas origins were significant contributors to the increase in total international visitors to Chicago in 2022, up 161% from 2021 levels to 1.4 million visitors. Chicago also welcomed a total of 48 million domestic visitors to the city in 2022, which was 59% more than 2021, and 81% of 2019 levels.

The first six months of 2023 are proving to be even stronger for the tourism economy, and visitor numbers indicate international travel will continue to grow throughout the year and into 2024.

This year marks a raft of major events, such as Taylor Swift concerts and the sailing Grand Prix, which is making a positive impact on visitors to the city. The first weekend of June saw an all-time record for hotel demand and revenue, with an average of 44,383 hotel rooms occupied on Friday and Saturday night, supported in part by the Taylor Swift concerts, and reflecting a gain of 5.4% higher versus the same period in 2022.

From January through May, hotel room demand throughout the city is up 21% year-over-year. The first ever NASCAR Street Race just concluded over the 4th of July weekend, with Lollapalooza, one of the largest and most iconic music festivals, returning to Chicago’s Grant Park this August.

Choose Chicago’s first female president and CEO, Lynn Osmond, says: “We’re thrilled to see visitor numbers to our city on the rise again post-Covid. With 77 culturally diverse neighbourhoods filled with unique experiences, outstanding hotels, a thriving arts scene, and a buzzing nightlife, Chicago truly offers something for every traveller. Architecture sets Chicago apart from other US cities, as well as Chicago being home to eight top-tier sports teams, and 18 miles of lakeshore beachfront. The city is a perfect year-round destination, and we look forward to welcoming even more visitors from the UK and Ireland throughout the rest of 2023.”

Chicago has welcomed a range of highly anticipated new hotels and restaurants for visitors this year. The St Regis Chicago opened on the shores of Lake Michigan in May 2023. Situated within the tallest building in the world designed by a female architect, The St Regis Chicago offers a luxurious stay in a prime location. Popular boutique hotel chain, Arlo, also opened in Chicago in April, its first hotel in the Midwest, located close by Millennium Park and offering a more budget-friendly option for holidaymakers. Bringing Irish hospitality to the city, the Guinness Open Gate Brewery will open its doors in the West Loop neighbourhood this summer, featuring beers only available to Chicago. As well as plenty of new accommodation and eateries, Chicago’s famed museums such as Art Institute of Chicago and Chicago History Museum will run full and brand new summer programmes for avid learners.