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Posted by Barton Lorimor (@bartonlorimor)
* How about some good news for a change?
Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Illinois has set an all-time record for tourism, breaking the 100 million visitor mark in 2012. International visitors rose 11.8 percent last year to set another new record and push the total to 101 million. Tourism in Illinois generated an estimated $33.5 billion and 298,700 jobs for the state’s economy, also new high marks for the state.
The record tourism numbers reflect Governor Quinn’s targeted efforts to showcase Illinois as a travel destination. In the past two years, Illinois has launched a new tourism marketing campaign; promoted Illinois tourism on trade missions to Canada, China, Mexico and Brazil; and worked closely with local convention and visitors bureaus across Illinois to trumpet the unique attributes of their regions.
Who knows? Maybe this will boost those numbers a little more…
Help is finally on the way for Illinois State Parks.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is starting to chip away at a $750 million maintenance backlog, as money from a new $2 surcharge on license plate renewals is starting to make its way out to the parks.
And this would just be fantastic…
Despite unseasonably warm temperatures during much of the Du Quoin State Fair, officials say the 2013 event may set an attendance record…It’s already been reported that the Du Quoin State Fair had the largest opening day in its 91-year history on August 23rd when more than 50,000 people visited the fairgrounds. The fair ended on Labor Day.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 7:43 am
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I’d be interested to see those numbers adjusted for population growth and inflation.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 9:01 am
–I’d be interested to see those numbers adjusted for population growth and inflation–
Huh?
It’s doesn’t say where these numbers are coming from, but I imagine it’s a Shifflet study, which is apples-to-apples, year-to-year. 2007 through 2009 were pretty rough for all travel, so these are encouraging bounceback numbers.
The 2012 Chicago numbers have been out for a while, and show real strong growth in leisure travel and more modest business travel growth (decline in business travel is industrywide for conventions and trade shows).
The Chicago hotel industry, in particular, is strong and growing, which is good news for Mac Place and Navy Pier bond coverage, as well as support for downstate convention centers and tourism bureaus.
Pay particular attention to overnight visitors, as they spend way more than the day trippers, many of whom are just passing through the airports.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 9:29 am
Well - curious what the “doom and gloom” naysayers about how dangerous Chicago is have to say about this.
Comment by Smitty Irving Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 9:58 am
Somehow I doubt the tourists are flocking to the west side, Smitty.
Comment by LincolnLounger Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 10:25 am
This makes our unemployment numbers look even worse.
Tourism is booming, along with the jobs and revenue it creates. Our unemployment rate, meanwhile, continues creeping towards the worst in the country while our budget remains in tatters.
Nice job.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 10:25 am
The tourist dollars are the reason the administration has to keep Michigan Ave/ McPier and millennium Pk safe. Unfourtanetly, believing CPD crime stats is a fools errand.
Comment by Fed up Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 10:40 am
–Unfourtanetly, believing CPD crime stats is a fools errand. –
What’s the inside dope? Who’s in on the conspiracy/coverup? How long has it been going on? Who else but you is on to it?
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 10:48 am
I am encouraged by the $2 vehicle registration earmark working its way back into the state park system, but it’s gonna take a lot of years working through a 3/4 billion backlog in repairs. We spent many times our registration contribution patronizing our local state parks this last year. There are a lot of disgruntled IDNR employees I personally knew who nevertheless slogged on through the last several bleak years; any light at the end of the tunnel is welcome for them.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 11:00 am
==I’d be interested to see those numbers adjusted for population growth and inflation.==
I don’t see how that’s relevant to tourism numbers.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 11:21 am
Wordslinger
Calls for service to 911 are up significantly, their are 1500 -2000 less police officers. Police response times are way up more and more calls for service are just coded out with no report because after 30-45 mins complainant can no longer be found. If you make police reports inconvient less people will make reports and all of a sudden you have less ( reported) crime. Less police/ less reports /less ( reported ) crime.
Comment by Fed up Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 11:31 am
=== Well - curious what the “doom and gloom” naysayers about how dangerous Chicago is have to say about this. ===
Maybe all the tourists are flocking to Rockford?
Comment by Just Observing Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 11:47 am
Here’s a link to previously released Chicago numbers.
http://www.choosechicago.com/includes/content/docs/MEDIA/Chicago-Visitation-Report-2012-3-.pdf?rand=4200846
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 11:53 am
This makes our recent economic numbers look even worse.
Tourism, and the associated revenue and jobs, are breaking records.
Meanwhile, our unemployment rate continues creeping toward the worst in America and our fiscal issues remain.
Nice.
Comment by Keep Calm and Carry On Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 12:09 pm
Boy, some people just can’t handle good news. It’s almost as if they want Illinois to fail so they can say “I told you so.”
It’s kind of pathological.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 2:09 pm
During the CC debate, the pro-CC carry commenters carried on about how dangerous Chicago was, including Michigan Avenue, the Loop, etc. IF it is, apparently the tourists aren’t bothered by it.
Comment by Anyone Remember? Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 4:31 pm