The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DECO) Tourism recently released numbers highlighting the success experienced by Southern Illinois’ tourism industry in 2010.
Among these statistics, Wabash County ranked second on the Southern Illinois growth list, bringing in $9 million in revenue, an 11.1 percent increase over the previous year. Topping the list was Wayne County, which brought in $9.9 million, an 11.9% increase.
Visitors to Southern Illinois’ 19 counties generated nearly $280.5 million in local economic impact. Illinois’ tourism industry generated $29.3 billion in revenue statewide in 2010, and $2.2 billion as tourist spending continued to have a significant economic impact on the state and supported hundreds of thousands of jobs. This has increased.
Wabash County Tourism Group Chairman Jim Feister said Wabash County has a lot to offer out-of-town visitors. “A lot of people who have immigrated come back here for festivals like Ag Days, Ribberfest, and the many golf events that are held here.”
He said some of this increase could be the result of extensive construction work on the new Wabash River Bridge and what will become the Third Avenue Railroad Overpass. Construction workers from out of town are staying in local hotels and eating at local restaurants.
Pfeister, along with Mount Carmel City Commissioner Rod Rodriguez, also represents Wabash County on the newly formed Southern Illinois Tourism Authority. “We are the largest tourism bureau in the state of Illinois,” Pfister commented, making it even more of an accomplishment for Wabash County to rank so highly in the statistics.
The Wabash County Tourism Group is heavily involved in promoting local events in other counties to bring in more revenue. Additionally, we provide entertainment support for events such as Ag Days and Wabash Ribberfest in Mount Carmel.
Beall Woods State Park attracts many visitors from outside the area each year. With fishing tournaments, campsites, children’s playsets, and a shelter house, it’s the perfect place for a family weekend getaway.
Another attraction is Mount Carmel Municipal Airport. The airport is an all-weather airport with an instrument approach and a fully lit runway. The longest runway, 13/31, is 4,500 feet and can land all corporate jets and turboprops. This airport also has a 4,000-foot runway.
Three years ago, the airport added a hangar with doors that are 64 feet wide and have an 18-foot clearance. Mount Carmel Airport Manager Ken Wood said the doors can withstand hurricane force winds.
“Illinois’ tourism industry showed positive growth in 2010 and continues to show strong momentum in 2011. The economy is growing and people are once again traveling long distances for vacation. “and many of those people are choosing Illinois as their destination,” DCEO Director Warren Lively said.
The economic impact of tourism in Illinois has increased by more than $3 billion over the past five years. Additionally, the travel industry directly and indirectly supports one in ten jobs in the state, creating 287,500 jobs in Illinois in 2010. On average, visitors spend nearly $80 million on Illinois businesses every day.
In 2010, state and local tax revenues from tourism totaled more than $2 billion, an increase of $93.5 million. Total tourism tax revenue (federal, state, and local taxes) saves the average Illinois household more than $1,000 in taxes each year.
According to DK Shiffet & Associates, Illinois received approximately 84.7 million visitors in 2010. This is an increase of 5% since 2009. Visitor numbers increased for both business and leisure travel, with leisure travel increasing by 6% and business travel increasing by 2.5%. Leisure travel with overnight stays to the state increased by 13.8%, expanding market share in this category by 11%, and Illinois ranked 10th in the United States.
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Tourism, Illinois maintained its No. 7 ranking as the most popular state for international travelers to the United States in 2010, hosting 1.186 million visitors. The city of Chicago, which is her 10th most popular city in the United States for international visitors, received 1.134 million international visitors in 2010, compared to the number of arrivals in 2009. He increased by 2%.
“Illinois’ tourism industry has made great strides over the past year,” said Jan Kostner, deputy director of the Illinois Tourism Authority. “From 2009 to 2010, tourism spending increased in every county in Illinois. People from all over the world come to vacation in Illinois and spend their tourism dollars here, further strengthening our economic recovery. .”
The Illinois Department of Tourism provides additional information about unique attractions, events and vacation options throughout the state on its website, www.enjoyillinois.com.
