McLean County tourists spend $352M in past year

Posted on May 4, 2016
Vistors Bureau Luncheon
The local Convention & Visitors Bureau brought 352,000 tourists to the area in the last year. (Adam Studzinski/WJBC)

By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – Tourism remains a strong industry in the Twin Cities.

Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Director Crystal Howard said tourists spent over $352 million in McLean County during the past year.

“We’re rated 8th in the state for the most visitor expenditures,” said Howard. “This year is a banner year for group rooms. We booked more rooms this year than we ever have before.”

Howard added her office was responsible for bringing in 352,000 visitors.

“We’re also a resource for State Farm Insurance, for Country Financial, for Illinois State University. We have everything a visitor wants in our office through visitor guides, brochures, and our website,” she said.

The McLean County Museum of History’s Route 66 Visitors Center brought more than 18,000 visitors on its own, which Howard said far exceeded expectations.

The tourism numbers were announced at the Convention and Visitors Bureau annual luncheon Wednesday.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

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