Chicago hosted a record 54.1 million visitors in 2016.

The figure, announced by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Choose Chicago president and CEO David Whitaker Thursday, represents a 2.9 percent increase over 2015.

The impressive jump in visitors also keeps the city on pace to reach its goal of 55 million visitors by 2020. That mark, set three years ago, could easily be surpassed this coming year.

The spike in 2016 was the result of an increase in both leisure and business visitation to Chicago, with the former reaching a record 40.65 million last year and the latter coming in at 11.9 million in 2016. 

The numbers signal a 3.4 percent and 2.1 percent increase from 2015, respectively. 

Major meetings and conventions in Chicago last year contributed more than $1.3 billion in estimated overall economic impact. With four additional major meetings and conventions scheduled for 2017, that number is likely to increase as well.

While domestic visitors increased by more than 3 percent, the destination reported a 3.7 percent decrease in visitors from overseas, with the Mayor and city tourism officials pointing out that visitation from key European markets has been hurt due to unfavorable exchange rates.

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Nonetheless, the city anticipates continued growth from emerging markets like China, India and South Korea.

"We had an incredible and record-breaking year in 2016, but we are not stopping there," said Emanuel in a statement. "We have seen record increases in jobs and investment from our tourism industry, which is creating economic opportunities that reach every neighborhood in the city of Chicago."

The city's tourism industry supported an estimated 145,137 jobs last year as well as a whopping $15 billion in direct tourism spending.

"As we look ahead to 2017 and beyond, it remains imperative for us to focus on building the destination's profile internationally and educating and reminding our partners in the travel industry, and the travelers we target, that Chicago is not only an amazing city to visit, but a top-notch place to convene and do business," said Whitaker in his own statement accompanying Thursday's announcement.

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