Tourism is a big part of Chicago’s economy. Travel experts estimate that 14,660,000 Americans visit Chicago for pleasure, annually, while another 13,000,000 travel to Chicago on business. Chicago also sees its fair share of international tourists as an estimated 1,010,000 individuals from various part of the world visit Chicago regularly. This brings the total estimated number of tourists for any one year to a whopping 28,670,000. It is easy to see why Chicago’s economy could not survive without the influx of tourism that the city’s attractions and business opportunities provide.

Economy

Both the local businesses and Chicago’s city government prosper from the money that tourism provides. It is estimated that Americans who visited Chicago contributed $7,707,300,000 to Chicago businesses in 2002 while International visitors spent approximately $1,034,000,000 during their forays in Chicago. Revenue such as this not only helps local businesses, but moves up the economic food chain through taxes. Taxes, such as sales tax, help the local government gain revenue from tourism. In 2002, the city of Chicago took in an estimated $163,200,000 from tourism and the state government earned approximately $279,400,000.

What to See In Chicago

Many of these tourists come to see local sports teams such as the Bulls, White Sox, Cubs, Blackhawks, Fire, and Bears. Others prefer to visit more cultured venues such as the Chicago Children’s Museum, the Museum of Art and History, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Cultural Center, or the Museum of Contemporary Art. These venues attract those who want to learn more about art and history or want to show their children the various cultures and pieces of history that are preserved in Chicago. There are other spectacles that offer tourists larger than life views as well as the opportunity to witness exotic animals. The Navy pier is one of Chicago’s leading attractions as an estimated 8,680,000 tourists came to see the ships and the sights that are found beside the water. The Lincoln Park Zoo and the John G. Shedd Aquarium are home to some of the most beautiful and intriguing animals on the planet. Most statistics estimate that close to 3,000,000 visitors pass through the Lincoln Park Zoo, annually, while another 2,088,000 see the sights at the John G. Shedd Aquarium.

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