Illinois Sets New Tourism Records with $48.5 Billion in Visitor Spending in 2024 (Chicago, IL) – Illinois welcomed a record 113 million visitors in 2024, who spent $48.5 billion across the state, Governor JB Pritzker announced this week. The surge in travel marked an increase of 500,000 visitors and $1.3 billion in spending compared to 2023, according to new data from Tourism Economics.
The spending boom generated $4.7 billion in state and local tax revenue and directly supported more than 282,000 jobs in the tourism and hospitality sector, nearly 4,000 more than the year before. Hotel tax revenue also hit an all-time high of $367 million in fiscal year 2025, a 14 percent jump over the previous record.
“Tourism in Illinois is more than numbers: it’s jobs, economic growth, and visitors creating lifelong memories in the Middle of Everything,” Pritzker said. “From Chicago’s skyline to our state parks, historic towns, and outdoor adventures, Illinois continues to attract travelers from across the globe.”
Chicago led the way, recording a 7.7 percent rise in overnight visitors. Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton said the impact extends well beyond the city. “More visitors means more revenue for communities, more support for small and family-owned businesses, and more good-paying jobs for our residents,” she said.
The state has bolstered tourism through significant investments, including $7.3 million in grants for Route 66 projects ahead of its 2026 centennial, as well as programs supporting festivals, attractions, and international marketing. A separate $15 million incentive grant fund has already helped bring the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon to Rockford and secured the 2026 American Hockey League All-Star Classic.
Industry leaders credited the state’s “Middle of Everything” campaign for helping to drive growth. The award-winning initiative spurred 2 million additional trips in 2024, generating $675 million in spending. Analysts estimate that every $1 spent on the campaign returned $74 in visitor spending and $7 in state and local taxes.
Michael Jacobson, president and CEO of the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association, said hotels are seeing the benefits. “This rising demand has provided important momentum for the hotel industry, which despite recent gains, struggles under the weight of rising costs and economic uncertainty,” he said.
With new records in both visitor numbers and spending, state leaders say Illinois is solidifying its position as a premier destination for travelers worldwide.
Illinois Sets New Tourism Records with $48.5 Billion in Visitor Spending in 2024
