Travel Tuesday, December 4

First off, I'd like to wish a Happy Belated Birthday to the state of Illinois, which celebrated its 200th anniversary yesterday during our Illinois Bicentennial Birthday Party at Navy Pier. Along with the festivities, I felt honored to make appearances on news outlets including WGN and WCIU to recap all the exciting bicentennial events and share all the ways I'm #IllinoisProud. Here's to 200 more years!

The holiday season is in full swing, and here in Illinois, visitors have been enjoying everything the state has to offer. From holiday shopping on Galena's Main Street to events such as the East Peoria Festival of Lights, there's so much for visitors to explore throughout Illinois to ring in the most wonderful time of year.

As you know, a key to the growth of Illinois tourism is engaging new visitors from around the globe, and a recent development presents an exciting opportunity to attract international visitors. Last week, the Illinois Office of Tourism hosted and participated in many events associated with the inaugural flight of Air New Zealand's new direct route between Auckland and Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The new route connects these two great cities with a single 15-hour flight — for travelers in New Zealand, Chicago is now only 40 winks away. As soon as visitors step off the tarmac, they'll find themselves in our own amazing destination.

It was my pleasure to welcome our friends from Air New Zealand — as well as partners including international media — to Chicago on the inaugural flight. As they arrived, we encouraged them to get out and explore Chicago, visiting attractions such as Illinois' Frank Lloyd Wright Trail, the Christmas Around the World exhibit at the Museum of Science & Industry, Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza, and an architecture cruise aboard the Odyssey Chicago River.

To us, a new direct flight between isn't just a new line on the map. It's the beginning of a direct relationship between our global destinations, and a chance to introduce Illinois directly to a new international market — and to untold numbers of travelers across the globe. As the Kiwis say: Kia ora!

Your friend in Illinois tourism,

Registration is underway for the state's premier industry event, the Illinois Governor's Conference on Travel & Tourism. It returns to Chicago February 4–6, 2019 and will gather professionals from across Illinois and around the country at the Palmer House Hilton to network and learn from travel and tourism's best and brightest. General sessions speakers include Jeff Fromm from Millennial Marketing, who will share insights on marketing to Gen Z, and a panel of editors from Meredith Corporation, publisher of trusted publications such as Midwest Living. Click the link to register below, or visit the website for information on sponsoring the event.

In Illinois, it's a holiday tradition. Inside every blue and silver tin of Garrett Popcorn, you'll find a delectable pairing of popcorn flavors — one coated in a glaze of crispy caramel, the other dusted in cheddar cheese.

Known as the classic "Garrett Mix," the sweet and savory concoction is just the most famous of Garrett's varieties of handcrafted gourmet popcorn. Since it first began making popcorn in 1949, the company has been popping kernels fresh daily, adding new twists to their special flavors such as chocolate-coated popcorn or roasted blends of macadamia nuts.

Next time you're in Chicago, join a holiday tradition and pick up a tin of Garrett's Popcorn. At the Illinois Made section of EnjoyIllinois.com, you can watch a video about Garrett Popcorn Shops, read about the rest of our Illinois Made makers, and see other handcrafted holiday gift ideas with the Illinois Made Holiday Gift Guide.

Women overtake men as percentage of Chinese FITs
In a shift since 2016, the percentage of Chinese travelers defined as free independent travelers — those who self-book itineraries and travel in groups of fewer than 10 — is made up of more women than men. According to a new report on Chinese travel, 58% of Chinese FITs are women. The report also found that women are more likely to spend money while traveling. Group travel is still the dominant option for Chinese tourists, but the demographic shift is something to keep an eye on.