Chicago saw a major boost in tourism traffic this summer according to recently released data from Choose Chicago.
Statistics show the Windy City’s Central Business District secured a record 3.56 million hotel bookings in between June and August.
Hotel bookings generate over $900 million in revenue
The total number of bookings surpassed the previous record from 2019, marking a significant step for Chicago’s post-pandemic tourism rebound.
In total, revenue from summer hotel bookings reached a record-breaking $949 million, a 0.8% increase from the same period in 2024.
Several specific weekends saw the highest tourism traffic overall, according to Choose Chicago:
- Weekend of July 19 | 92,643 room nights – NIKE Tournament of Champions at McCormick Place, BLACKPINK at Soldier Field, other events
- Weekend of August 30 | 91,559 room nights – Labor Day leisure travel, multiple major concerts
- Weekend of June 21 | 91,384 room nights – Pride Fest, American Diabetes Association conference at McCormick Place, other events
- Weekend of August 2 | 91,049 room nights – driven by Lollapalooza, other events
The record-shattering tourism data comes as O’Hare saw its busiest month ever in July 2o25.
“Tourism is about more than dollars; it’s about pride in the city we call home,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “The figures released by Choose Chicago today are a testament to the incredible people who make our city shine…”
