Mayor Rahm Emanuel today announced travel booking site Priceline has found Chicago is the U.S. destination people want to visit most during the upcoming three-day Memorial Day weekend. The Priceline news comes on the heels of the city’s record tourism numbers set in the first quarter of 2018.

“More tourists are planning to visit Chicago than any other American city over Memorial Day weekend, because Chicago has more to offer than any other city,” Mayor Emanuel said. “As we recognize Memorial Day and honor those who served and sacrificed for our country, Chicago is looking forward to welcoming visitors from across the country and around the world to the most American of American cities.”

In making its announcement, Priceline celebrates Chicago’s bustling city scene, award-winning dining, scores of museums and epic shopping along its Magnificent Mile — as well as fun, lakeshore views via Navy Pier and one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, the Chicago Architecture River Cruise tour.

Priceline says its analysis of current hotel bookings over the period May 25 to May 28 indicate that most travelers are opting for city getaways as opposed to beach escapes and Chicago ranks number one in bookings. The Priceline analysis dovetails with Expedia data released earlier in the year, indicating Chicago bookings paced up 14 percent in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the same period a year ago.

“I’m not surprised Priceline customers are selecting Chicago or that Chicago again nabs another number one ranking,” Choose Chicago President & CEO David Whitaker said. “One of the reasons Chicago continues to ascend as a consistently top-ranked destination is that as a major urban playground we are able to fulfill an increasing trend and desire of sophisticated travelers to seek amazing experiences combing great food, music, theater, shopping and accessible cultural and public spaces.”

In addition to Priceline’s Chicago Memorial Day bookings news, during a recent appearance on NBC-TV’s “Today” show, Travel and Leisure Magazine Travel Director Jacqui Gifford also listed Chicago as a pick destination for Memorial Day weekend.

Recent Expedia booking data currently indicate a 25 percent increase in advance room-nights, year over year, booked through Expedia for the combined key summer travel months of June, July and August.

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