Chicago is attracting an ever-increasing number of international travellers, both for leisure and business. business travel and conferences. Rahm Emanuelthe destination's town councillor, has just announced record results: over 57.6 million visitors registered for 2018, a figure that is up by 4,3% compared with the previous financial year. " In 2018, the number of visitors increased by 4.3%, whereas in 2017 the annual increase was 2.7%. This increase reflects Chicago's dynamism and the positive impact of the tourism, conventions and events industry on the city. "says a delighted David WhitakerCEO of Choose Chicago, the organisation responsible for promoting the destination.
Le MICE is not unrelated to this marked increase, as the McCormick Place Convention Centre has also seen its figures soar: of the 50 biggest events held there last year, the number of exhibitors rose at no fewer than 20 congresses. Records were broken at 15 events in terms of attendance, and at eight in terms of exhibitors.
The hotels Chicago benefited logically from this influx, with demand up by 4.2%, and an overall occupancy rate of 75.4%, generating some 122 million euros in revenue (140 million dollars).
Choose Chicago confirmed the positive trend in a press release published on Wednesday: " 60 new conventions are already planned for Chicago in the coming years. These are in addition to the 2,301 business meetings already hosting more than a million people. In all, more than 2.6 million overnight stays should be generated by the arrival of four million additional people. "it says.
