From big cities and state parks to rich history and culture, Illinois truly has something for everyone. In 2025, Illinois drew a record-breaking 115 million domestic and international visitors to the state – an increase from 2024.
According to data provided by Tourism Economics, visitor spending grew 3.5% to $50.2 billion, surpassing the $50 billion mark for the first time in Illinois history. As a result of tourist spending and visits in 2025, the total economic impact amounted to $88 billion and produced $4.9 billion in direct state and local tax revenue, reinforcing tourism’s role as a key driver of economic growth in communities across Illinois.
Helping drive this growth is the state’s award-winning “Middle of Everything” tourism campaign, which continues to inspire travelers to explore destinations and experiences throughout Illinois. In 2025, the campaign generated an additional 2.78 million trips and $904 million in visitor spending.
The state’s lodging industry also continued its strong performance, generating a record $372 million in total hotel tax revenue.
Illinois continued to make significant investments in the travel and tourism industry in FY25, awarding more than $3.3 million in grants to support communities, enhance attractions, and encourage overnight stays. The funding also helped destinations improve visitor experiences and prepare for two major 2026 milestones – the Route 66 Centennial and America’s 250th anniversary.
Illinois is also expanding its focus on outdoor recreation through a dedicated unit within the Office of Tourism. The unit will support communities in leveraging their natural assets to attract visitors and position Illinois for lasting success as a premier travel destination.
Recent rankings also noted that Illinois is the third most-fun state in the country only solidifying itself as a top tourist destination for people from all around the world.
