Chicago sets tourism records this summer, 5,200 jobs created

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago set a number of tourism records this summer, including the highest demand for hotel rooms yet. Of the 4.56 million rooms available, 87.3 percent were occupied from May to August.

The city also set records in supply, average daily rate, revenue per available room and overall revenue during the 2014 summer season.

Growth in tourism continues to result in new jobs for Chicago. Over 5,200 positions have been added in that field since 2011.

"By making Chicago a destination for national and international travelers, leisure and business alike, we are making important gains that are bringing more opportunities to more Chicagoans," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement.

Emanuel aims to have 55 million Chicago visitors a year by 2020 and 30,000 more tourism jobs.