May Illinois Tourism Monthly

Celebrating Illinois Made Makers for National Travel & Tourism Week

This year, we were proud to use National Travel & Tourism Week to turn the spotlight on some of the incredible Illinois Made Makers who bring local stories to life through their craft. Throughout the week, we featured seven standout businesses on our social media channels, each of whom adds something special to the Illinois tourism story:

Casting Whimsy Tea House in Woodstock, where Randy Askelson blends teas inspired by local folklore and legend
Edge of Normal Workshop in Normal, where chef-turned-craftsman Taylor Mathews handforges knives with fine precision
Chocolate Factory, Inc. in Golconda, where Linda Meherg creates small-batch confections that make the community's life sweeter
Marcoot Jersey Creamery in Greenville, where a seventh-generation family of dairy farmers welcomes visitors to learn about sustainable agriculture
River Bend Gallery in Galena, where Geoffrey Mikol’s landscape photography captures the quiet beauty of the outdoors
Warm Wick Candle Company in Brookfield, where Yazmin Tejeda crafts candles rooted in Latino heritage and family stories
Virtue Restaurant in Chicago, where Chef Erick Williams brings care and seasonality to Southern American cooking

Through their passion and creativity, each of these Makers delivers memorable visitor experiences while contributing to the fabric of their communities.

Governor Pritzker Invites Canadians to Enjoy Illinois

Earlier this month, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) released a new video inviting Canadian travelers to visit Illinois, reaffirming the state’s strong relationship with Canada as a key tourism partner. To build on that momentum, we've launched a new social media campaign on Facebook and Instagram in Canada, featuring our Middle of Everything campaign and messaging that highlights Illinois as a welcoming destination for all.

Let's Go for Nine!

For eight straight years, Chicago has claimed the title of Best Big City in the U.S. in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards. From world-class dining and iconic architecture to vibrant neighborhoods and lakefront views, it's easy to see why. And now, it's time to help Chicago keep the crown by voting in the 2025 Readers' Choice Awards! To vote, select the cities category, type "Chicago" in the text box for “Search for a city you’ve been to.” Then, complete the survey about your Chicago experience.

All Eyes On the 2025 Sports Illinois Huddle

More sports excitement was in full swing last week as Sports Illinois Huddle took place May 12-14 in Peoria. This high-impact annual event plays a key role in building a winning future for sports tourism in Illinois. This year was our biggest yet — we welcomed 18 sports event rights holders/event owner organizations domestically and internationally as well as 19 CVBs to participate in the three-day, appointment-based trade show.

During the show, there are one-on-one appointments where RFPs, leads and contact information are exchanged to find a potential host within Illinois for current or future events. In addition, there are networking and relationship building opportunities throughout the show as well as educational breakout sessions and keynote speakers such as former Chicago Blackhawk and NHL Hockey Hall of Famer Chris Chelios, as well as Dr. Chris Reynolds, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, Bradley University. A huge thanks to Sports Illinois for the great event, and especially to Discover Peoria for being a great host city.

Route 66 Media Spotlight: International Press Tours

Route 66 is getting plenty of international attention in the lead-up to the 2026 centennial, with recent UK and Germany media visits shining a spotlight on what makes the Mother Road special.

Earlier this month, British travel writer Ellie Seymour drove an electric vehicle from Chicago to Collinsville, covering the trip for the UK's The i Paper travel section. German documentarians Tom Noga and Lukas Schmid were in Chicago and Bloomington during the Red Carpet Corridor Festival. They’re producing a documentary for networks ZDF and Arte, which is set to reach 36 million viewers across Germany and France during the centennial year, bringing real visibility and value to Route 66 communities.

Reverse Sales Mission Showcases Scenic & Sustainable Travel

From April 29 to May 2, Illinois welcomed Canadian travel professionals during a Reverse Sales Mission across Route 66, the Great River Road and agritourism hot spots. The tour wasn’t just about beautiful views and roadside nostalgia — it was about building meaningful connections with local CVBs like Great Rivers and Routes, Visit Springfield and Experience Champaign-Urbana.

This mission is part of our long-game strategy for Canada — deepening market awareness and driving visitation through boots-on-the-ground partnerships and major events like the Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show, where nearly 25,000 nature-seekers discovered Illinois’ outdoor gems, from hiking trails to kayaking adventures.

IPW Chicago: Illinois Takes Center Stage This June

We are just weeks away from welcoming the world to Chicago for IPW 2025, and we can't wait to showcase our amazing state on a global stage. This year’s Enjoy Illinois booth will welcome attendees with an immersive design featuring iconic photography that showcases the incredible diversity of experiences across the state. Together with our participating CVB partners, we'll be creating a dynamic Illinois aisle that will be a memorable destination for connection and discovery.

Volunteer Opportunity at IPW 2025

Choose Chicago is seeking several hundred remarkable Chicagoans to act as volunteers as Chicago welcomes the U.S. Travel Association’s IPW2025 from June 14-18 at at McCormick Place, the IPW headquarters. Activations are planned for approximately 5,000 travel trade professionals, international travel media and domestic destination representatives at venues across Chicago.

Chicagoans are sought to welcome delegates and to help staff these important (and fun!) events. As a thank you, volunteers who support multiple shifts may have the opportunity to receive a small gift or experience that celebrates the spirit of our city. Volunteers must be 18+ years old. Interested? Register to volunteer and check out all the opportunities to promote our city here.

If you have questions please contact Sue Wasylik, the Volunteer Manager for IPW Chicago, at swasylik@choosechicago.com.

Chicago Named Safest U.S. City for LGBTQIA+ Travelers

Chicago has just been named the safest U.S. city for LGBTQIA+ travelers, based on misterb&b’s 2025 Queer Safety Index. The rankings consider a range of factors, including legislative protections, local rights, and hate crime statistics. The city’s historic LGBTQIA+ neighborhoods—Northalsted, Andersonville, and Uptown—played a major role in earning this recognition. It’s a timely nod, with Pride celebrations just around the corner in June.

Travel Trends: What's Driving Spring Travel

T ravelAge West has shared a few insights that may help guide planning for the season:

Gen Z is spending more: Around 20% are willing to pay extra for premium experiences.
Adventure travel is gaining ground: 60% of travelers now seek adventure-based activities—up from 42% last year.
Tropical destinations are holding strong: Mexico and the Caribbean remain top picks, while interest in “coolcations” has fallen by about 60%.
Safari bookings are on the rise, with an 18% increase in trips to African destinations.

Family is still a major driver of tourism. Multigenerational groups are booking luxury villas in Hawaii and the Caribbean, and nearly half of all travelers (48%) say they want to slow down and savor their trips rather than over-schedule.

Camping also stands out for couples—43% of campers travel with a partner, compared to 36% for other types of accommodation. Despite financial pressures, overall travel spending is up: the average trip budget has climbed 14% over last year, reaching $5,325.

Noctourism: Exploring Destinations After Dark

A growing interest in "noctourism" is opening up new opportunities for destinations, as travelers increasingly look for things to do in the evening.

By offering activities like stargazing, wildlife spotting, and after-dark tours, or offering a special nocturnal spin on traditionally-daytime activities, destinations can help visitors get even more out of their stay, especially when they're limited by overall trip length. Get the full lowdown at Travel and Tour World.