Chicago Named Best Big City in the U.S. by Readers of Condé Nast Traveler for Eighth Consecutive Year
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CHICAGO ~ Chicago has once again been named the Best Big City in the U.S. in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards, announced today by Mayor Brandon Johnson and Choose Chicago, the city's official tourism agency. This marks an unprecedented eighth consecutive win for Chicago, solidifying its position as a top destination for travelers.

Over 575,000 readers voted for their favorite destinations and venues, with Chicago emerging as the clear winner. This recognition comes after a successful summer for the city's tourism, hospitality, and events community.

Mayor Johnson expressed his pride in Chicago's achievement, stating that "Chicagoans know that our city is second to none." He believes that this honor is a testament to the strength, warmth, and resilience of its people and the beauty and vibrancy of its neighborhoods. Whether one is a first-time visitor or a lifelong resident, there is always something new to discover in Chicago.

Governor JB Pritzker also congratulated Chicago on its historic win, highlighting the city's rich diversity of culture, culinary innovation, and experiences. He believes that this award reflects the fact that there is no other dynamic destination in America like Chicago.

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The Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards have been recognizing excellence in the travel industry for 37 years by capturing input from readers. And for four consecutive years since 2017, Chicago has been named Best Big City in the U.S., making it the most awarded city in the history of this prestigious award.

Glenn Eden, Chair of Choose Chicago's Board of Directors, acknowledged that destination marketing has become more competitive than ever since the pandemic. He emphasized that this recognition would not have been possible without the resilience, collaboration and ongoing innovation from Chicago's local tourism, cultural arts, and hospitality communities.

Interim President and CEO of Choose Chicago Rich Gamble also expressed his excitement about this achievement. He believes that being voted Best Big City in the U.S. for eight years in a row is no small feat and is a reflection of the passionate and tireless work of every Chicagoan. Gamble also mentioned that Chicago continues to evolve as a global destination, with endless possibilities for visitors to experience.

As the city wraps up an incredible summer in the national spotlight, Choose Chicago released visitation metrics showing a banner season of travel. Over 3.4 million hotel room nights were filled by visitors during the summer months (June, July, and August), a 5% increase from 2023. Group hotel room demand also saw a 7% increase from 2023, exceeding 2019 levels.

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The city also saw a strong summer for leisure travel, with events like Lollapalooza and the NASCAR Chicago Street Race contributing to over 2.3 million leisure room nights, a 4% increase from 2023.

This surge in hotel demand resulted in all-time records for summer hotel revenue ($942 million) and City tax revenue ($53 million), both measures being 13% higher than 2023.

Chicago also welcomed over 671,000 international visitors during the summer season, an impressive gain of 11% compared to 2023. Notably, Canadian visitation saw a significant increase of 21%.

Looking ahead, Chicago is gearing up for an eventful end of the year with major events such as the launch of Theatre Season, Christkindlmarket, and the Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival expected to attract visitors from near and far.

To see all winners of this year's Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards, click here. With its eighth consecutive win as Best Big City in the U.S., Chicago has once again proven itself as a top destination for travelers seeking diverse experiences and unforgettable memories.

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