Chicago Unveils Ambitious 2026 Tourism Strategy at Choose Chicago Meeting: Boosting Visitor Numbers and Economic Growth

Following a summer that shattered tourism records in Chicago, city and state officials convened on Tuesday to chart the future of the region’s booming tourism industry.

Governor JB Pritzker highlighted that investing in tourism could lead to the creation of 130,000 jobs and inject billions into the local economy. This supports the push by Choose Chicago to establish a dedicated tourism district.

The organization attributes the summer’s nearly $1 billion in revenue to a mix of conventions, sports events, festivals, concerts, and the city’s acclaimed dining scene.

Choose Chicago’s chair emphasized that securing a tourism district and ensuring robust funding for the visitor industry is of utmost importance. This initiative has garnered the support of Mayor Brandon Johnson.

“The tourism improvement district will equip our city to compete on a global scale,” stated Mayor Brandon Johnson. “The successes we celebrate this year are the result of strategic efforts, not mere happenstance.”

Just last year, the organization credits its “All For the Love of Chicago” campaign for shining a light on all that city has to offer. Choose Chicago says 2025 tourism broke expectations in the number of conventions, hotel rooms booked and visitor spending. Choose Chicago’s CEO Kristen Reynolds said their work is changing the narrative.

“We’re no longer apologizing for our greatness, our scrappiness, our expense or our winters,” Reynolds said. “Chicago is never done and never outdone. Period.”

Choose Chicago said lots of exciting things are coming up to keep the momentum going into 2026:
American Airlines announcing a brand new expanded Admirals Club spanning more than 10,000 square feet
2026 WNBA All Star Game
2026 Big Ten Men’s Tournament
2027 MLB All Star Game

Choose Chicago said their push for a tourism district funding will be brought before City Council on February 27.