File photo
File photo
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Office of Tourism report that tourism spending in the Peoria region increased by 4.25% for 2019.
According to the City of Peoria, economic impact data from The Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (Discover Peoria) shows that in 2019 tourism in the Peoria area accounted for $684 million in spending, an increase of 4.25% over 2018. 2019’s increased tourism activity brought in an extra $17.3 million in tax revenue and the tourism industry supported families by providing 5,120 jobs to the region.
The increase in tourism in 2019 is in stark contrast to 2020’s numbers, confirming the dramatic impact COVID-19 has had on tourism and the local economy.
“The 2019 numbers show that the economic impact of tourism on our region is powerful and significant,” Discover Peoria President and CEO JD Dalfonso said. “That is what makes the effects of COVID-19 that much more sobering in 2020 as we continue to deal with the fallout of reductions to the travel and tourism economy locally.”
Statewide, Illinois achieved its ninth consecutive year of tourism growth and welcomed a record 120 million visitors in 2019.
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