Chicago tourists total 49 million in 2022, 80% of pre-pandemic high – Center Square

On the hotel occupancy front, local hotels averaged 60% occupancy in 2022, sharply up from 43% the year before, though still below the 74% average in 2019. While the resurgent numbers still leave the city slightly behind other major urban centers such as New York (85% visitation recovery) and San Francisco (84%), they also serve as an indicator of the city’s ability to attract visitors despite the growing safety issues now plaguing the downtown area.