Statewide News

It’s a wrap! 2006 Illinois Tourism Road Show

Last month, IBOT staff and marketing agency representatives traveled the state to discuss the economic significance of the Illinois tourism industry during the 2006 Illinois Road Show. This year’s Road Show was themed “The Power of One” to stress the importance of the travel industry working together and speaking in one collective voice. The Road Show made stops in Chicagoland, Rockford, the Quad Cities, Peoria, Springfield and Carbondale to conduct press conferences, and also visited Galena, Arcola and Rantoul to tour area attractions. During the Road Show, Deputy Director Jan Kostner and other IBOT representatives shared the 2005 visitor and economic impact numbers, as well as an overview of exciting statewide tourism initiatives such as the debut of the latest series of Offbeat Illinois posters and IBOT’s spring/summer advertising campaign.

Road Show press conferences were attended by tourism representatives from across the state who gathered in support of the industry. The press conferences also garnered media attention from 38 television, print and radio outlets.

IBOT is extremely grateful to all the CVBs and attractions that hosted the 2006 Illinois Road Show and to the tourism industry representatives who attended the press conferences. Individuals interested in obtaining a copy of the 2006 Illinois Road Show presentation may contact Julie Connolly at julie.connolly@edelman.com or Emma Douglas at emma.douglas@edelman.com.

Bureau preparing for Fall-O-Ween 2006

Summer is underway in Illinois, but it’s never too early to begin planning for Fall-O-Ween, the state’s distinctive fifth season, which runs from Sept. 1-Oct. 31. After a successful inaugural year in 2005, the Bureau is currently making plans to ensure that Fall-O-Ween 2006 is better than ever.

Key tactics for this year’s Fall-O-Ween include:

• Kicking off the season with an informative Webcast hosted by Jan Kostner for all CVBs and RTDOs later this summer

• Highlighting the top fall events in each of the seven regions, as well as targeted travel ideas—e.g., family trips and guys getaways

• Enlisting third-party spokespersons to bring Illinois’ Fall-O-Ween activities and messaging alive for media and consumers

• Partnering with Midwest Living magazine to publish a 2006 Fall-O-Ween insert

By emphasizing the best fall attractions, destinations and events, the Bureau hopes to drive travel to the state and increase overnight stays during this important season. IBOT looks forward to working with all of its Illinois tourism partners to make Fall-O-Ween in Illinois a must-see for travelers around the country.

For more information on Fall-O-Ween, please contact Alexa Gunther at alexa.gunther@edelman.com.

Vive La Emoción this summer

IBOT is making it easier for Hispanics to visit all the diverse locations in Illinois by launching a new Spanish-language travel brochure. The 25-page brochure will promote various year-round Illinois destinations as part of the Vive La Emoción campaign.

The travel guide features various culturally relevant locations and events that Hispanic travelers can enjoy year-round. It will be mailed to consumers who signed up at IBOT radio remotes and will also be available to order on the Hispanic Web site. In addition, copies of the brochure will be distributed to Spanish-language media outlets as part of a media relations campaign to publicize this great new resource for Hispanic families.

For more information visit, www.disfrutaillinois.com or call 1-866-610-GOZA.

Illinois at the forefront of agritourism

As part of the growing experiential travel trend, agritourism allows consumers to engage in hands-on, authentic experiences and gives them the chance to observe and interact in everyday farm life such as harvest or agricultural festivals, apple picking, winemaking, and other experiences in a natural setting. Thanks to aggressive state-sponsored development and marketing programs, agritourism is a growing industry throughout the country. Illinois offers premier agritourism destinations such as Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch in Rantoul, Eckert’s County Store and Farms in Belleville, and the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail in Southern Illinois.

From corn mazes to farm tours, the Illinois Bureau of Tourism is touting many of the state’s top agritourism destinations to regional and national media this summer and fall. IBOT offers additional information on agritourism attractions through its travel counselors at 1-800-2CONNECT or at the Bureau’s Web site, www.enjoyillinois.com.

Americans jump on the active vacation bandwagon

According to Adventure Travel Trade Association, adventure travel—or “active travel”—is the fastest-growing segment of the travel industry, with an estimated 2006 U.S. expenditure of $55 billion.

Chances are that families and individuals who create their vacations around the ideal hiking and biking trails, the high season for white water rafting, or the best powder for heli-skiing, are looking for more than just a great hotel and relaxing time spent away from home. Adventure travelers want an experience that engages the mind, body and spirit, and leaves them with a story to tell after it’s over.

Illinois is packed with adventure options for every season. In the summer months, outdoor enthusiasts can hike through diverse areas in northern and southern parts of the state, including Shawnee National Forest, Starved Rock State Park and the River-to-River Trail. Some of the state’s top rock climbing can be found at these locations and many others throughout the state. Numerous canoeing and kayaking options can be discovered in northeastern Illinois, where the DuPage and Chicago rivers offer breathtaking scenery and waterways ranging from easy to advanced.

For those looking to experience a larger portion of the state at once, the Bureau will co-host the second annual Illinois Great Rivers Ride, Sept. 10-16. This seven-day noncompetitive 400-mile bike ride will begin in Northern Illinois in Rockford and conclude in Southwest Illinois’ Alton. Hundreds of riders will have the chance to discover Illinois’ rich natural beauty along the Rock, Mississippi and Illinois rivers.

Travelers looking for more adrenaline-pumping options can check out the Bureau’s Web site, www.enjoyillinois.com, or call a travel counselor at 1-800-2CONNECT.