Choose Chicago given $5 million to get flyers passing through O’Hare downtown

The organization created to boost Chicago tourism is getting an additional $5 million to promote access to the city through O’Hare and Midway international airports.

Choose Chicago was formed during Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s first year in office. It created the city’s first coordinated national, international and local tourism campaign.

Emanuel announced Thursday the Chicago Department of Aviation will provide the additional funds.

In a statement, Emanuel says the campaign will help Chicago reach its goal of having 50 million visitors each year and further establish Chicago as an international hub.

Chicago currently has about 43.6 million visitors annually.

Emanuel says increasing tourism and business travel is a central piece of his economic strategy. He says the travel industry is responsible for $725 million in tax revenue each year.