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Daniel Thomas, Illinois Office of Tourism (IOT)
As we approach the holiday season, I wanted
to express my heartfelt gratitude to all our partners and associates in tourism. December is always a special month for us Illinoisans. Not only is our state lit up with holiday celebrations, but December 7 is National Illinois Day. A day for Illinoisans, and the US, to celebrate one of the nation’s most welcoming, beautiful and diverse states.
As you know, I’ve been conducting a statewide listening tour over the past several months. My goal was to talk to as many of you as possible in my first 100 days and after conducting 23 tours, I can say without a doubt that these sessions have been incredibly valuable. Participation during these events has helped me to better understand tourism goals and areas of opportunity throughout the state.
With that said, as we take this time to celebrate the holidays with our loved ones, let’s cherish the successes we achieved together in 2023.
I wish you all a joyous holiday season and a bright, prosperous
New Year.
As always, please feel free to reach out to me via email.
Yours in tourism partnership,
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Daniel Thomas
Deputy Director
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity,
Office of Tourism
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New Illinois Maker Class Officially Announced
On Tuesday, November 28, Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced the new class of small businesses that have been inducted into the Illinois Made program.
Each year, the Illinois Office of Tourism selects a group of small businesses that exemplify the hidden gems, experiences and one-of-a-kind products that make Illinois a great place to explore for residents and visitors alike. Featuring 48 new businesses, this year’s list is the largest class since the program’s inception.
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The 2023 Illinois Made Holiday Gift Guide is
Here
IOT has also shared the annual Illinois Made Holiday Gift Guide,
featuring many local businesses that are part of the new 2023 Illinois Made class.
From memorable experiences and cozy gifts to presents for furry friends and more, the gift guide features one-of-a-kind products from Illinois Made businesses and encourages shoppers to "support local" in every region of the state this holiday season.
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IOT Launches Walkin’ in a Middle Wonderland Campaign
IOT has launched its holiday-themed Enjoy Illinois campaign, Walkin’ in a Middle Wonderland, to celebrate the festive season. The campaign features several TV spots that profile a variety of charming holiday events and activities from across the state. Locations featured include Chicago, Marion, Shelbyville and many more.
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2023 Mag Mile Lights Festival, A Glowing Success
On November
18, the annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival illuminated the spirits of parade attendees as Michigan Avenue was filled with shimmering holiday cheer and tens of thousands of spectators.
The festivities were lit by over a million dazzling lights and included enchanting appearances by beloved Disney characters, a marching band, 40 creatively crafted floats and Santa Claus leading the way on his sleigh.
IOT’s Enjoy Illinois float featured a charming winter snowscape with festive
lighting, the iconic Middle of Everything pin, a DJ and, of course, Big Lincoln. Thank you to all the volunteers who supported and helped hand out glow bracelets!
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New Tourism Marketing Grants
The Illinois
Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, Office of Tourism has launched a new Tourism Marketing Grant.
The grant program was launched to help tourism professionals promote and increase awareness of Illinois as a travel destination—both domestically and internationally. The program offers specific opportunities for Cook County and non-Cook County entities. The award range for both sets of applicants is between $10,000 and $100,000.
The deadline to submit applications is January 16, 2024. For more information about grant opportunities and to apply for funding, click here.
Reminder: The deadline for the Tourism Attraction Grant Program application is December 18, 2023.
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Dates & Location Announced for Illinois Governor’s Conference
Save the date! The Illinois Governor’s Conference on Travel & Tourism will return on March 19-21, 2024. We are excited to announce that this event will be held in Peoria.
The Illinois Governor’s Conference on Travel & Tourism is a place for tourism professionals from across Illinois and around the country to network, learn from experts, celebrate success and discover what’s ahead for Illinois tourism.
Stay tuned for updates on booking and registration in the coming weeks.
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IOT Bringing the Best of Route 66 to the 2024 Rose Bowl
For the second year, IOT will represent Illinois in the 135th Annual Rose Parade on January 1, 2024.
The iconic annual parade travels 5 ½ miles down Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena, California with beautiful, floral floats. The theme is “Celebrating a World of Music:
The Universal Language." In a world of diverse cultures, beliefs, hopes and dreams, music remains the one language that unites everyone.
IOT’s float will be called “Illinois: The Middle of Beats & Blues” and incorporates the iconic Route 66, where visitors can experience an ever-changing ribbon of highway that's shaped by all things Americana.
View broadcast partners here and enjoy watching the parade live.
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International Travel to the U.S. Reached 86% of Pre-Pandemic Levels in August
In August,
approximately 7 million international visitors arrived in the U.S., reaching 86% of pre-pandemic levels, as reported by the National Travel and Tourism Office. Among these, roughly 3.3 million travelers came from destinations beyond North
America.
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Amadeus Travel Trends 2024: How Will We Travel Next Year
Amadeus delves into its annual Travel Trends research. This exploration unveils five emerging developments aimed at fostering more profound travel experiences for the planet, economy and travelers themselves. One of the trends noted is international music tourism. An example, flight searches to Athens, Greece increased by 62% for the week a Coldplay
concert is scheduled to take place.
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Why Regenerative Tourism Goes Beyond Environmental Sustainability
Regenerative tourism is transitioning from a buzzword to a comprehensive plan of action. With the rising demand for eco-conscious options among travelers, the emphasis is broadening from solely environmental sustainability to making meaningful contributions to local communities and
ecosystems.
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New Video
We are pleased to share the latest addition to our Illinois Made video collection: MORE Brewing Company in Huntley & Villa Park.
Be on the lookout for the launch of more new videos on our YouTube channel in the coming weeks.
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Discover 8 exciting weekend getaway ideas, ways to elevate your home decor with unique finds and more in the Fall/Winter 2023/24 issue of the Enjoy Illinois Magazine. Available now to view and download.
If you're
interested in becoming an advertiser, please contact Kim Sommerfeldt at DotDash Meredith.
For bulk orders, please contact Brad.Strauss@illinois.gov.
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The Official Industry Newsletter of the Illinois Office of Tourism
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©2023 Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
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You're receiving this email as a valuable partner of the Illinois Office of Tourism.
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