OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR                                   NEWS

ROD R. BLAGOJEVICH - GOVERNOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                 CONTACT:  

June 9, 2008                                                                                      Katie Ridgway 312/814-3158

                                                                                                             Ashley Cross      312/814.8193 (IBOT)

                                                                                                             Marcelyn Love 217/558-1542 (IBOT)             

Gov. Blagojevich announces Illinois tourism

continues to break records

In 2007, Illinois broke its previous record generating $30 billion for economy; over past five years, tourism has pumped $7.7 billion more into economy

CHICAGO – Governor Blagojevich today announced that the Illinois tourism industry continues to grow at a record pace, generating billions of dollars in economic impact and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs across the state.  The economic impact of tourism increased by more than $1.6 billion in 2007 to a record setting $29.9 billion, which was a 5.8 percent increase from 2006, according to the Travel Industry Association of America. Today at Black Stone Hotel in Chicago, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Jack Lavin was joined by tourism industry leaders to highlight the gains made by Illinois tourism over the year.

Visitors spent nearly $82 million in Illinois businesses every day. Domestic travel expenditures increased to $27.9 billion, a 5.2 percent increase, or an additional $1.3 billion.  International travel expenditures increased to $1.9 billion, a 15.6 percent increase, or an additional $268 million.

“Illinois is attracting visitors from near and far to explore all our state has to offer. Visitors are pumping millions of dollars into the Illinois economy and are helping to create good jobs for the hard-working people of our state. Our tourism is thriving, and our innovative approach to attract visitors will help make sure it stays that way,” said Gov. Blagojevich.  

Over the last five years, the economic impact has grown by more than $7.7 billion in Illinois, which is a 35 percent increase.  Travel-generated jobs also increased by 3940 new jobs in 2007, to 305,460 adding 5360 new jobs for Illinoisans in the last two years.

State and local tax revenues grew by 5.5 percent, generating over $2 billion from travel spending, which is its highest level ever and $110 million more than last year.  Since 2002, state and local tax revenues have grown by nearly $460 million, which is a 28 percent increase (Travel Industry Association of America).

Illinois hosted 89 million domestic visitors in 2007, which is down slightly from record growth in 2006, Illinois’ second highest year on record, according to data from D.K. Shifflet & Associates.  Due in part to the national economic climate, leisure travel declined by 5 percent in 2007, down from the 9 percent growth experienced in 2006. However, Illinois leisure travel’s increase of 3.5 percent over the last two years has outpaced the national growth rate of 1.8 percent. Illinois business travel experienced strong growth in 2007, up 6.7 percent.

The City of Chicago had record breaking visitor numbers again in 2007, reaching 45.14 million visitors, a 2.2 percent increase, fueled by strong business travel growth, up 8.7 percent.  While leisure travel to the City of Chicago was flat in 2007, it far outpaces the U.S. leisure growth of 1.8 percent in the last two years.  Leisure travel to the City of Chicago has increased 13.4 percent during the last two years.

Illinois moved up to being tied for the 6th most popular U.S. state for overseas travelers in 2007, hosting 1,171,000 overseas visitors, an 8 percent increase over 2006.  The City of Chicago was the 9th most popular U.S. city hosting 1,147,000 overseas visitors in 2007, also up 8 percent.  Overseas visitation from the United Kingdom was up 10 percent; and 6 percent from Germany.

“Illinois’ tourism industry continues to be a significant tool for statewide economic development. Our creative efforts to showcase Illinois to both domestic and international travelers are working. Not only are we attracting millions of visitors to our state, the tourism industry is also creating good jobs and is stimulating our economy,” Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Jack Lavin said. 

Representatives from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Tourism (DCEO/IBOT) and its marketing agency partners are traveling the state during the 2008 Illinois Road Show to present the 2007 visitor and economic impact numbers and future marketing initiatives.  Themed “The Benefits of Travel” to emphasize the health and general benefits that travel has on consumers, the seven-market media tour will highlight the significant economic and social impact of Illinois’ travel and tourism industry. The Illinois Road Show will also visit exciting key tourist attractions in each market.  

In each market, IBOT representatives are providing an overview of successful 2007 – 2008 marking initiatives and upcoming programs to draw visitors to Illinois. These include:  

2007-2008 initiatives: IBOT will highlight some of the Bureau’s milestone marketing programs from the past year, including the third annual Fall-O-Ween campaign, which promoted Illinois’ scenic drives, festivals, agritourism and wineries; the 2008 Illinois Travel Guide, featuring new sections and highlighting a “"4 Seasons, 40 Reasons"” section highlighting the top ten things to do each season; and Easy Access Chicago, a comprehensive visitor guide for travelers with disabilities and their families. The 50-page guide provides detailed information about Chicago’s accessible offerings allowing visitors with disabilities to make informed decisions about their travel during their stay in the city. 

New and upcoming programs: IBOT will present the new KidVenture itineraries. Updated for the summer travel season, the kid-friendly itineraries highlight the season’s exciting destinations and events.  The Fall-O-Ween program similarly encourages visitors to explore Illinois’ distinctive events and scenic drives during the important fall travel season.

Advertising:  Representatives from JWT, IBOT’s advertising agency of record, will present the Bureau’s new spring/summer advertising campaign for 2008, including new television and print ads featuring more than 25 destinations throughout the state. Three of the television executions will be featured on more than 900 cinema screens across the Midwest. JWT will also discuss the newly redesigned enjoyillinois.com home page which was designed to enhance usability, navigation and provide engaging content. In addition to the web site, 15 new Spring/Summer 3-Day Getaways were launched featuring key drivers and highlight "local flavors" throughout the state. Also on the Web site, the agency will provide a sneak preview of the next evolution of the home page.

The Illinois Bureau of Tourism offers additional information on one-of-a-kind attractions, events statewide and suggested 3-Day Getaways on the Bureau’s Web site, www.enjoyillinois.com, or through its travel counselors at 1-800-2CONNECT.  Travelers can also order the all-new Illinois Travel Guide, the most comprehensive guide to travel in the Land of Lincoln.  Guides are available at Tourist Information Centers, local convention and visitors bureaus, and regional tourism development offices statewide. 

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