Tourism Remains Big Industry In Illinois

Will Stevenson -- Illinois Radio Network

Tourism remains one of the biggest industries in the state of Illinois, and it keeps getting bigger.

State Tourism Director, Springfield’s Cory Jobe, says nearly 110,000,000 people visiting the state last year, a new record, generating $2.7 billion in sales tax monies.
“Meetings, conventions, and sports tournaments offer us immense opportunities in Illinois,” says Jobe.  “The return on investment and economic benefits from bringing these events to Illinois can be huge.”

Jobe says Springfield alone has brought ten national conventions to town this year.

He says state parks, Abraham Lincoln, and other items also helped contribute to the tourism success.

Nevertheless, Jobe says visitors to Illinois have an assignment.

“Our message to travelers is simple:  to ‘Find Something More’ in Illinois,” Jobe says.  “Try new experiences, make emotional connections.  Those are the things that make a trip memorable.”

Jobe says the state will start publishing a twice-yearly magazine highlighting Illinois attractions instead of publishing an annual guide, and there will be a short film campaign profiling people that make Illinois goods.