Macon County was one of just 21 counties in Illinois to draw $100 million or more in tourism dollars last year, bringing in $107.48 million according to a recent tourism economic impact report from the State of Illinois.
Macon County also had the 3rd highest percentage increase over 2007 of those counties, drawing an additional 8.2 percent or $8.12 million more than in 2007. Only Champaign County (12.4) and Tazewell County (14.6) had higher percentage increases and Macon County ranks eighth in terms of the increase in the total amount of tourism dollars earned.
The figures were detailed in the report titled “The Economic Impact of Travel on Illinois Counties 2008” which was produced by the Illinois Department of Tourism. They were released today during a press conference held by the Decatur Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City of Decatur at the Children’s Museum of Central Illinois.
In Illinois, total payroll income earned by travel-generated employees reached $15.1 billion in 2008, up 0.1 percent from 2007. According to the report total domestic and international traveler spending generated a total of 584.4 thousand jobs for Illinois residents in 2008.
“While Decatur City Government is in the midst of a financial downturn, it is my firm belief that this improvement in tourism in Decatur helps to soften the blow,” said City Manager Ryan McCrady. “The community benefits each and every time people visit our community to see our tourist attractions.
“Visitors eat in our restaurants, buy gas at our gas stations, and shop in our stores in addition to seeing our attractions which is why it’s so important that we continue to work to build and promote and protect attractions.”
