Illinois Tourism Sees Record-Breaking Growth in 2024

Strategic Insights -

Illinois welcomed a record 113 million domestic and international visitors in 2024, who spent $48.5 billion, an increase of 500,000 visitors and $1.3 billion in spending from 2023. This surge led to a new all-time high in hotel tax revenue figures, totaling $367 million in FY25, a 14% increase over the previous record set in FY24. Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's (DCEO) Office of Tourism announced the achievements, citing the importance of tourism to the state's economy and job creation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Illinois set a new record for tourism, welcoming 113 million visitors in 2024, who spent $48.5 billion.
  • This represents an increase of 500,000 visitors and $1.3 billion in spending from 2023.
  • The tourism surge led to a new all-time high in hotel tax revenue figures in FY25, totaling $367 million, a 14% increase over the previous record set in FY24.
  • The city of Chicago saw a 7.7% rise in overnight visitors in 2024, further highlighting the state's appeal as a premier destination for domestic tourists.
  • Illinois invested $7.3 million in grants to 47 entities across the state through Route 66 grants, Tourism Private Sector grants, International Tourism grants, and Tourism Attractions grants.
  • DCEO also funded a new $15 million tourism incentive grant program in FY24 to attract new events, including the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon and the U.S. Travel Association's IPW 2025.
  • Visitor spending directly generated $4.7 billion in state and local tax revenue in 2024, supporting 282,165 jobs in the state's tourism and hospitality industry.
  • The award-winning "Middle of Everything" tourism campaign contributed to an additional 2 million trips generating over $675 million spent in Illinois hotels, restaurants, small businesses, and attractions in 2024.
  • The campaign generated $74 in visitor spending for every dollar spent, as well as $7 in state and local tax revenue for every dollar spent.

Statistics:

  • 113 million domestic and international visitors in 2024
  • $48.5 billion in visitor spending in 2024
  • Increase of 500,000 visitors and $1.3 billion in spending from 2023
  • $367 million in hotel tax revenue in FY25, a 14% increase over the previous record set in FY24
  • 7.7% rise in overnight visitors in the city of Chicago in 2024
  • $7.3 million in grants invested in tourism projects in FY25
  • $15 million in tourism incentive grants funded in FY24
  • $4.7 billion in state and local tax revenue generated by visitor spending in 2024
  • 282,165 jobs supported in the state's tourism and hospitality industry in 2024
  • $675 million in spending generated by the "Middle of Everything" campaign in 2024

Sources:

  • Illinois Governor JB Pritzker
  • Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Office of Tourism
  • Tourism Economics
  • MMGY/DK Shifflet
  • Illinois Office of Tourism
  • EnjoyIllinois.com
  • Illinois Department of Revenue
  • Longwoods International