Travel Tuesday, October 9

Greetings from across the pond! Today I'm in the United Kingdom meeting with media outlets to tell them about the fabulous blues scene in Chicago. This week is also the London premiere of America's Musical Journey, a film produced by MacGillivray Freeman Films in association with Brand USA that captures the spirit of several musical cities throughout the United States, including Chicago. I always get chills seeing how the film captures how the city has contributed to the rich tapestry of American music. As we continue to promote the Home of the Blues to media outlets worldwide, I'm proud to have Illinois featured among the nation's top musical destinations.

There's plenty to celebrate in other areas of Illinois. Last week, I joined State Representative Tony McCombie in Cordova to discuss the ways tourism serves as an economic engine for her district and others throughout the state. One of the biggest contributions to local tourism is thanks to the local businesses and artisans that comprise our Illinois Made program. To recognize that enormous impact, I joined the McHenry County CVB in Crystal Lake to congratulate several Illinois Made makers on their success. In all, we have nine makers from McHenry County alone!

As I travel throughout Illinois, I can't help but appreciate the lovely fall colors starting to appear everywhere I look. Last week I appeared on WGN and Fox 32 to talk about the joys of fall travel in Illinois. Our fall campaign, "Take the Scenic Route," is all about encouraging visitors to get out and see the amazingness of autumn for themselves. As Tourism Director, I love it when I get a chance to follow my own advice.

Your friend in Illinois Tourism,

Illinois is having a birthday party, and it’s going to be the bash of the century. The state’s Bicentennial Celebration on December 3 will feature six "acts" that highlight the people, places, events and innovations that were born, built and grown in Illinois. The lineup includes notable Chicago sports figures, Broadway stars, music legends and more — including a set by Illinois natives REO Speedwagon at the United Center. And of course, there will be birthday cake from Illinois' own Eli’s Cheesecake.

Rockford is the largest city in Illinois outside the Chicago metropolitan area. Despite its urban nature, you’ll find one of most tranquil spots in the country, the Anderson Japanese Gardens. Designed by landscape architect Hoichi Kurisu, it has been consistently named as one of the highest quality Japanese gardens in North America. It recently topped Christie’s Real Estate’s list of top five Asian gardens to visit outside of China or Japan. So if a 13-hour flight isn’t in your near future, Rockford has the next best thing.

Illinois Made is a program that celebrates the makers, creators and artisans of Illinois. These are the craftspeople, artists, family-owned businesses, small-batch breweries, distilleries, foodies, and farmers who make Illinois thrive. These people shape our Illinois culture and make a positive impact on the local economy by inspiring residents and visitors to discover more about the state.

This fall, we are looking to add new Makers to the esteemed roster of Illinois Made artisans. We’re looking for:

Artisans & Craftspeople (i.e. Carpenters, Potters, Glass Artists, Painters)
Food & Beverage Artisans (i.e. Distillers, Brewers, Cheese Makers, Coffee Roasters, Farm-to-Table Restaurateurs)
Farmers, Winemakers/Viticulturists
Global Makers: artisans and businesses whose reach extends into international markets but whose humble beginnings are right here in Illinois

Read more about the criteria for Illinois Made makers. You can also use the form on that page to nominate a new maker. New makers will be chosen this winter, so get in your nominations by December 1, 2018.

Travel Industry on Track to Set Record by 2030
By 2030, the travel industry will have recorded a record 2.4 billion international trips yielding $2.6 trillion dollars. Rising incomes and an upgraded economic outlook are growing confidence among international travelers, and China, France and the U.S. are poised to be the main beneficiaries. In the years to come, providing a seamless travel experience – from the inspiration stage to booking in-destination services – will be critical for destinations to maintain a competitive advantage.

Thrills by day, fright by night. That’s the promise for Fright Fest at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee. During daylight hours, ride some of the tallest, fastest, wildest, record-breaking roller coasters in the country. Or, bring the family for some fast-paced fun.

But once the sun goes down, the scares start up. Don’t miss the Uprising – the nightly ritual in Hometown Square where zombies, ghouls, monsters and other creatures are "released" for their nightly haunting rituals. Throughout the park, you’ll find haunted houses and all sorts of scare zones and attractions – like the new Sewer of Souls, which sounds (and smells) truly frightening.