Illinois Tourism Director calls Twin Cities ‘growing market’ for tourism

Posted on July 28, 2015

Illinois Office of Tourism Director Cory Jobe spoke in Bloomington Tuesday afternoon. (Adam Studzinski/WJBC)

By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – The Illinois Office of Tourism announced Tuesday the state’s tourism industry brought in 109.4 million visitors last year. That marked a 3.5 percent increase over 2013.

Those visitors resulted in $36.3 billion spent across the state. $352.9 million of that was spent in McLean County. Speaking at Bloomington’s Epiphany Farms Restaurant Tuesday, Office of Tourism Director Cory Jobe said the Twin Cities is a growing market for tourism.

“Bloomington-Normal with the access, with the industry, with the business travelers that are here,” said Jobe. “And then, obviously, they are continuing to create a tourism product here in the State of Illinois.”

2014 visitors also generated $5.74 million in local tax revenue and supported 2,630 jobs.

Jobe said the addition of the Route 66 Visitors Center in downtown Bloomington should lead to even more tourists.

“Route 66 is a part of our seven national scenic byways here in the State of Illinois,” said Jobe. “We know not only the international visitor, but the domestic visitor, they want to experience the real Americana and Route 66 gives them that opportunity.”

Bloomington was one of 12 stops Jobe is making across the state as his office celebrates the fourth straight year of record breaking tourism numbers.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

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