The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Illinois Office of Tourism recently reported that Illinois welcomed 112 million domestic and international visitors in 2023, resulting in $47 billion in visitor spending.

This is an increase of 1 million visitors and over $3 billion in spending compared to the previous year, according to data from Tourism Economics. In 2023, leisure travel in Illinois also saw notable growth, with an increase in overnight leisure stays statewide by 4.3%.

The influx of visitors also increased visitor spending, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and marking a 4% increase over 2019 numbers. The economic impact of this tourism activity, including indirect and induced effects, reached $83 billion, a 6.4% increase from 2022.

Currently, DCEO is offering $5 million in tourism funding opportunities through the Route 66 Grant Program and the International Tourism Grant Program to continue to boost tourism and cultural preservation across Illinois. To learn more, visit the DCEO website.