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Visited Chicago in 2005 � Up 3.5% over 2004 |
(Chicago) June 1, 2006 � The Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau
(CCTB) and the Chicago Office of Tourism (COT) announced today that Chicago
surpassed a national travel forecast for an increase in 2005 visitor volume.
According to data released by the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau
(CCTB), a record 33.04 million domestic and overseas travelers visited
Chicago in 2005 � an increase of 3.5% over 2004.
Domestic business and leisure travel experienced a marked increase over 2004. In 2005, Chicago welcomed 13.78 million business travelers -- a 4.3% increase over the 13.21 million travelers in 2004. Leisure travel also showed healthy gains with 18.17 million travelers � a 2.3% increase over 2004. Overseas travel volume remained strong with a significant increase of 15% over 2004 to 1.08 million travelers exceeding the Travel Industry Association of America�s (TIA) forecast for a 7% increase. �This is good news for the 130,000 Chicagoans who work for hotels, restaurants, attractions and other businesses that serve our visitors,� said Mayor Richard M. Daley. �People love coming to Chicago, and their expenditures ripple through the entire regional economy.� Chicago hotels benefited from the increase in visitors with an overall occupancy of 72.2% -- an increase of 2.27% over 2004 and the highest since 2000. Overall weekend occupancy reached 80.6% -- up 1.09% over 2004. �Chicago is one of the world�s few true global cities,� said Tim Roby, CCTB president. �Its rich tourism assets and premier meeting facilities resonate with travelers all over the world making it an essential destination for business and leisure travelers.� Added Dorothy Coyle, Director of the Chicago Office of Tourism, �People are drawn to Chicago to experience the incredible cultural offerings that are unique to our city. Millennium Park has elevated Chicago�s profile worldwide.� Early indicators suggest Chicago will again see an increase in visitors during 2006 despite TIA�s prediction for flat travel volume during this time. A variety of factors will have significant impact on the success of 2006. The overall economic turnaround and Chicago�s hotel occupancy rates continue to grow along with the city�s meetings and convention business at McCormick Place. The success of Chicago�s seasonal tourism promotion, Winter Delights, during January and February has already resulted in a 5% increase for the leisure market. Through May of this year, an estimated 132,500 million room nights have been occupied � a 14.8% increase over the same period in 2005. Sources: D.K. Shifflet Associates, Ltd., Smith Travel Research, Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau |
Contact:
Meghan Risch
Joyce Rowe
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