PEORIA, Ill. – Shattering records.
That’s what Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said about the state’s tourism efforts, while speaking Wednesday at the Governor’s Conference on Travel and Tourism at the Peoria Civic Center.
“Last year alone, I think you know Illinois’ hotel industry set a record of $5.5 billion in revenue, for a total tourism industry economic impact of $78 billion, just here in the State of Illinois,” Pritzker told conference attendees.
Pritzker – referred to by Discover Peoria’s JD Dalfanso as the “Chief Marketing Officer” of the state – says the new “Illinois: in the Middle of Everything” campaign certainly helped, but local tourism leaders weathered the pandemic storm very well.
“The tourism industry, perhaps more than any other, has seen dramatic highs and lows during the last five years,” said Pritzker. “That speaks volumes to the resilience and perseverance of every single person in this room, and your colleagues around the state and who represent us around the world.”
Pritzker claims many of the people who visit Illinois say good things about everyone they meet.
“They say Illinois has some of the kindest, and most decent, and hard-working people that they’ve ever had the pleasure to meet,” said Pritzker. “Every single time I hear that sentiment, I have to say I am truly, deeply flattered on all of our behalf, but I am also not at all surprised.”
Pritzker’s office claims 111 million people visited Illinois in 2022, spending as much as $44 billion while here.
Comments