Tourism in Chicago hit an all-time high in 2015, becoming one of only three US cities to surpass 50 million arrivals a year.
The Windy City welcomed nearly 5% more visitors last year.
"Chicago’s tourism industry continues to reach new heights and break new records, having now surpassed the 50 million domestic visitor mark for the first time in history," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement.
"The more visitors we attract, the more jobs we support for residents all throughout the city of Chicago."
Emmanuel said tourism officials have projected more than 52 million visitors for this year and up to 55 million by 2020.
The city earned $14.9 billion in 2015 in direct tourism spending, the Mayor said, and has added 15,000 new jobs since 2010 as a result of the growing tourism sector.
"While I am proud of the 15,000 jobs that our tourism industry has created in the past five years alone, I know we can do even better. With the help of marquee events like this week’s NFL Draft, we will build on this progress and continue generating jobs in neighborhoods throughout Chicago," Emanuel said.
