Fueled By Tourism, City Sets Record For Hotel Revenue
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The city is reporting some good news for Chicago's economy and the tourism industry.
Tourism Sets Records
During the first half of 2013, hotel occupancy set a record--71.5 percent.
That's a gain of 1.5 percent for the previous record set last year.
Hotel revenue during the first six months of 2012 also set a record of $857 million.
That a 7.2 percent gain over 2012.
In June, the city reported that 90 percent of the city's hotel rooms were occupied.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel's goal is to reach 50 million visitors per year by 2020, which would be an increase of nearly 11 million from 2010's total.
The city reported 46.2 million visitors in 2012.
The head of Choose Chicago, Don Welsh, attributes the rise to the city's aggressive marketing efforts.
Emanuel says the numbers demonstrate that Chicago is becoming a world class destination city.
