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A Record 33.04 million Domestic and Overseas Travelers
Visited Chicago in 2005 � Up 3.5% over 2004
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(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

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Contact:

Meghan Risch 
CCTB
312-567-8540

Joyce Rowe
Chicago Office of Tourism
312-742-2036

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Also See: Chicago Losing Ground in Convention Battle; Drops to No. 3 in the National Ranking for the First Time / May 2006
In 2004, Las Vegas Hosted 38 of the Nation's 200 Largest Trade Shows, Second-place Chicago Hosted 18 and Third-ranked Orlando Hosted 18 / May 2005


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