Illinois tourism on the road to recovery as hotel revenue breaks pre-pandemic record in 2023
Illinois, which bills itself as the 'Middle of Everything' in an ongoing TV ad campaign, may also be in the middle of a post-pandemic tourism recov...
Illinois, which bills itself as the 'Middle of Everything' in an ongoing TV ad campaign, may also be in the middle of a post-pandemic tourism recovery. While some metrics still lag, Illinois hotel revenue hit a record $308 million in fiscal year 2023, which ended June 30, surpassing the previous high of $296 million in fiscal year 2019, the state's Office of Tourism announced Monday. The record hotel revenue likely reflects higher room rates, however, as occupancy remains below pre-pandemic levels in Chicago, the state's largest hotel market, according to data from Choose Chicago, the city's tourism arm.