More UK and Irish visitors choosing Chicago

Choose Chicago has announced that visitor numbers from the United Kingdom and Ireland are close to pre-pandemic levels after a strong year of recovery of Chicago’s tourism economy. In 2022, the US city welcomed over 30,000 visitors from Ireland, marking one of the strongest recoveries of any country capturing a 97% recovery share when compared to 2019 visitor volume. Chicago also recorded 96,000 visitors from the UK in 2022 and expectations are of a full recovery from both the UK and Irish markets by 2025. Total international visitor numbers to Chicago in 2022 were 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. 2023 marks a year of major events coming to Chicago, which is seeing the positive impact on visitors to the city. Meetings such as the American Society of Clinical Oncologists, the James Beard Foundation Awards, and the sailing Grand Prix all returned in June and 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. From January through May, hotel room demand throughout the city is up 21% year-over-year. The first ever NASCAR Street Race recently concluded over the 4 July weekend, with Lollapalooza, one of the most iconic music festivals, returning to Chicago’s Grant Park this August. Choose Chicago’s president and CEO, Lynn Osmond, said: “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.” Chicago has welcomed a range of 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. 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. Photo courtesy of Choose Chicago