As 2025 comes to a close, we want to thank you all for being such important partners in sharing Illinois with travelers from around the world. This year brought continued momentum, meaningful moments, and exciting opportunities to spotlight everything that makes Illinois truly the Middle of Everything.
We’re proud of all we accomplished together and are grateful for your ongoing support. Wishing you and your teams a joyful holiday season and a wonderful start to the new year.
TOURISM NEWS
A Look Back at 2025
Thanks to our industry partnerships, 2025 was a year of growth, collaboration, and momentum for Illinois tourism. We strengthened our leadership, welcomed new agency partners to support our brand and storytelling efforts, and continued elevating Enjoy Illinois through innovative marketing, communications, and destination development.
Building on record-setting visitor impact in 2024 and continued interest in Illinois as a travel destination, we worked alongside partners across the state to showcase local businesses, makers, and communities in meaningful ways. Our collective efforts helped reinforce tourism’s vital role in Illinois’ economy and ensured Illinois remained top of mind for travelers near and far.
Illinois Made: Holiday Highlights
The 2025 Illinois Made Holiday Gift Guide is now live and featured on the Enjoy Illinois website. The guide showcases a curated collection of Illinois-based makers, artisans, and small businesses, giving travelers and residents alike even more reasons to shop local this season.
Thank you for continuing to support and champion the makers who embody the creativity and character of Illinois.
NEWS YOU CAN USE
Airbnb’s 2026 Travel Predictions
Airbnb just released their 2026 travel predictions. Key takeaways show that nature-focused travel, like national parks and outdoor experiences, and short, 1-2 day international trips are trending, especially among younger travelers. This illustrates growing interest in experiential and purposeful travel.
The Rise of the Whycation A recent travel trend report by Hilton introduces the concept of the Whycation, where travel starts with a purpose (reconnection, recharge, exploration) rather than just a destination reinforcing the shift toward intentional, meaningful trips.
ENJOY ILLINOIS MAGAZINE
When browsing the Fall/Winter issue of the Enjoy Illinois inspiration guide, you'll feel like you're already out there enjoying the best the state has to offer. Whether it’s cozy fall getaways, festive Chicago celebrations, winter adventures, and more! There's always something new to explore. View online Download the PDF
