A new website, EscapeLocally.com will soon be offering Southern Illinois vacation packages to tourists. The Southern has a brief version of the story up tonight. A full version is expected tomorrow.
This looks intriguing. Look forward to more tomorrow.
Showing posts with label tourism industry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tourism industry. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Monday, July 26, 2010
State Closes Tourism Information Centers Along Interstates
It's being called a cost-saving move, but visitors wanting tourism information can no longer get it at state rest areas.
All personnel have been laid off due to the state's growing budget problem.
The Chicago Tribune is the latest with the story.
The move to cut tourism spending will likely only hurt the state. Past studies show for every dollar spent by the state for tourism generates more than $8 back for the general revenue fund itself, not to mention the jobs it creates.
The move for the current fiscal year doesn't come as a surprise. As of late June, the end of the last fiscal year the state owed around $1.5 million to the non-profit operator of the welcome centers. Layoffs were going to happen one way or another.
All personnel have been laid off due to the state's growing budget problem.
The Chicago Tribune is the latest with the story.
The move to cut tourism spending will likely only hurt the state. Past studies show for every dollar spent by the state for tourism generates more than $8 back for the general revenue fund itself, not to mention the jobs it creates.
The move for the current fiscal year doesn't come as a surprise. As of late June, the end of the last fiscal year the state owed around $1.5 million to the non-profit operator of the welcome centers. Layoffs were going to happen one way or another.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Support Builds for Marion's Millennium Development Project
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan has called for the House to return to session on Monday and the Senate is expected to return next week as well.
When they do, state Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, plans to bring up SB 2093, the Innovative Development and Economy Act, for a vote. The Illinois House passed the measure May 7 sending it back to the Senate for a final vote.
The Edwardsville Intelligencer has one of the best wrap-ups of the progress so far with appropriate comparisons of the similarities and differences with the now-defunct University Town Center plan for Glen Carbon.
Since then a number of school superintendents have also come out in favor of the bill, even a few that wouldn't benefit directly from the School Improvement Fund being funded by the development.
SB 2093 started off as a Senate bill on a completely different subject that passed the Senate and moved onto the House side for approval. With the support of the original sponsors, State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, amended the bill to create the STAR Bonds district for Marion. In parliamentary terms, the Senate now has to concur, or approve, the changes made by the House.
Forby formally filed the motion to concur on May 7 and bill now sits in the Senate Assignments Committee which will need to send it to either another committee for approval or could possibly approve it themselves and send it to the full Senate for a vote.
The local officials supporting the bill include the following:
When they do, state Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, plans to bring up SB 2093, the Innovative Development and Economy Act, for a vote. The Illinois House passed the measure May 7 sending it back to the Senate for a final vote.
The Edwardsville Intelligencer has one of the best wrap-ups of the progress so far with appropriate comparisons of the similarities and differences with the now-defunct University Town Center plan for Glen Carbon.
But one of the starkest differences between the Millennium Development and the UTC battle is the amount of mayoral support it has received.
Whereas the UTC was fought by roughly two dozen area mayors outside of Glen Carbon, a statement Wednesday released by Holland spokesperson Rebecca Rausch cites the support of retired U.S. Congressman Ken Gray of West Frankfurt, together with more than 25 area mayors, three county board chairmen, a county commissioner and a county supervisor.
Since then a number of school superintendents have also come out in favor of the bill, even a few that wouldn't benefit directly from the School Improvement Fund being funded by the development.
SB 2093 started off as a Senate bill on a completely different subject that passed the Senate and moved onto the House side for approval. With the support of the original sponsors, State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, amended the bill to create the STAR Bonds district for Marion. In parliamentary terms, the Senate now has to concur, or approve, the changes made by the House.
Forby formally filed the motion to concur on May 7 and bill now sits in the Senate Assignments Committee which will need to send it to either another committee for approval or could possibly approve it themselves and send it to the full Senate for a vote.
The local officials supporting the bill include the following:
- Anna Mayor Steve Hartline
- Benton Mayor Gary Kraft
- Cairo Mayor Judson Childs
- Carterville Mayor William Mausey
- Cypress Mayor Neil West
- Dongola Mayor Teddy Earnhart
- Du Quoin Mayor John Rednour
- Galatia Mayor David Harrowood
- Goreville Mayor Larry Vaughn
- Grayville Mayor Joe Bisch
- Harrisburg Mayor Valerie Mitchell
- Herrin Mayor Vic Ritter
- Jonesboro Mayor Ken Blandford
- Johnston City Mayor Ryan Horn
- Marion Mayor Robert L. Butler
- Mcleansboro Mayor Dick Dietz
- Metropolis Mayor Billy Mcdaniel
- Mounds Mayor Waymen Butler
- Mounds City Mayor Sam Johnson
- Murphysboro Mayor Ron Williams
- Olmsted Mayor Curtis Marshall
- Shawneetown Mayor Terry Williams
- Stonefort Mayor George Jackson
- Vienna Mayor Jon Simmons
- West Frankfort Mayor Marion Presley
- Zeigler Mayor Dennis Mitchell
- Denning Township/Franklin County Supervisor Nancy Bundy
- Gallatin County Board Chairman Randy Drone
- Saline County Board Chairman Jim Fowler
- Union County Board Chairman Randy Lambdin
- Williamson County Commissioners Brent Gentry, Tracey Glenn and Ron Eillis
- Benton Consolidated High School District 103
- Benton School District 47
- Carterville Community Unit School District 5
- Christopher Community Unit School District 99
- Frankfort Community Unit School District 168
- Marion Community Unit School District 2
- Pinckneyville Community High School District 101
- Sesser-Valier Community Unit School District 196
- Zeigler-Royalton Community Unit School District 188
Friday, May 07, 2010
Marion's Hotel Industry Surges in 2009
Some thoughts on 2009 lodging in Marion
Despite the bad economy last year, tourism grew in Marion and Williamson County at least in terms of hotel taxable receipts.
Bed tax collections for the 25 active lodging establishments in the county grew by 15.5 percent last year over 2008 to $791,741.06. That was the best since 11.3 percent growth in 2005.
The bed tax receipts show tourists and travelers spent more than $15.8 million directly on lodging last year in the county with all but about 15 percent of that spent directly with establishments inside the Marion city limits.
In both 2005 and 2009, much of the growth could be attributed to a major new hotel being added to the mix. Country Inn & Suites opened in December 2008. Previously, Fairfield Inn had been the last player added.
With Country Inn, the Big 6 hotels in Marion became the Big 7 and collectively increased their market share from 78.2 percent to 79.1 percent, but the new hotel didn't cannibalize its competitors as some had feared. The other six major hotels collectively saw their taxable receipts grow by 6.6 percent in 2009 versus just a 1 percent jump in 2008.
All sectors but the oldest motels in the county saw growth last year.
Overall the Big 7 were up 16.8 percent, the mid-level motels (both the small chains and independents) were up 19.1 percent, and the specialty lodging category of bed and breakfast inns, cabins and vacation rentals grew by 41 percent thanks to new units being added.
The lodging operators inside the Marion city limits attributed for 84.8 percent of the market share.
All lodging operators in the county from the smallest vacation house rental up to the largest hotels pay a bed tax equal to 5 percent of their receipts to the county which is split 40/60 between the Williamson County Tourism Bureau and the Williamson County Events Commission (the funds to the latter group goes to pay the financing costs for the Williamson County Pavilion). The actual receipts taken in by the hotels are actually greater than the taxable receipts as rentals for more than 30 days are not covered by the bed tax.
Despite the bad economy last year, tourism grew in Marion and Williamson County at least in terms of hotel taxable receipts.
Bed tax collections for the 25 active lodging establishments in the county grew by 15.5 percent last year over 2008 to $791,741.06. That was the best since 11.3 percent growth in 2005.
The bed tax receipts show tourists and travelers spent more than $15.8 million directly on lodging last year in the county with all but about 15 percent of that spent directly with establishments inside the Marion city limits.
In both 2005 and 2009, much of the growth could be attributed to a major new hotel being added to the mix. Country Inn & Suites opened in December 2008. Previously, Fairfield Inn had been the last player added.
With Country Inn, the Big 6 hotels in Marion became the Big 7 and collectively increased their market share from 78.2 percent to 79.1 percent, but the new hotel didn't cannibalize its competitors as some had feared. The other six major hotels collectively saw their taxable receipts grow by 6.6 percent in 2009 versus just a 1 percent jump in 2008.
All sectors but the oldest motels in the county saw growth last year.
Overall the Big 7 were up 16.8 percent, the mid-level motels (both the small chains and independents) were up 19.1 percent, and the specialty lodging category of bed and breakfast inns, cabins and vacation rentals grew by 41 percent thanks to new units being added.
The lodging operators inside the Marion city limits attributed for 84.8 percent of the market share.
All lodging operators in the county from the smallest vacation house rental up to the largest hotels pay a bed tax equal to 5 percent of their receipts to the county which is split 40/60 between the Williamson County Tourism Bureau and the Williamson County Events Commission (the funds to the latter group goes to pay the financing costs for the Williamson County Pavilion). The actual receipts taken in by the hotels are actually greater than the taxable receipts as rentals for more than 30 days are not covered by the bed tax.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Celebrate National Tourism Week at the Pavilion
We're celebrating National Tourism Week this week May 10 through May 18, with an open house, business after-hours event this Thursday afternoon, May 15, from 4 to 7 p.m. here at the Williamson County Pavilion located at 1602 Sioux Drive behind the Illinois Centre Mall in Marion.
From our news release:
From our news release:
"What do wedding receptions, concerts and an AKC dog show have in common? Not only are they forms of tourism, but they’re all events held at the Pavilion this year,” explained Jon Musgrave, executive director of the Williamson County Tourism Bureau, which also manages the Pavilion.
“It’s hard to find such a variety of events in one place,” Events Coordinator Cherri Flinn said. “The Pavilion is a rare commodity with its 54,000 square feet of space and an Expo Hall that can hold 4,000 people.”
This Thursday the public is invited to the Pavilion’s first Business After Hours which is open from 4 to 7 p.m. Guests will be treated to free appetizers, drinks and personal tours of the facility.
Organizers say the event will be a great way to spread the word not only about tourism’s impact on the region but also what is offered at the Pavilion.
“This is an opportunity to let the community come in and see what services we offer,” Williamson County Tourism Marketing Director Nic Skovgaard said. “The Pavilion is unique just from the simple fact we can go from MMA cage fights to a cheerleading competition to a cat and dog show – and sometimes the set up happens overnight.”
Since the Pavilion opened in 2004 it has been host to hundreds of events – business meetings, celebrity fundraising events, proms, outdoor shows and even Mixed Martial Arts cage fighting.
“Tourists spend an incredible amount of money in Southern Illinois. Right at $450 million in 2006 in the 17th southernmost counties from I-64 south,” explained Musgrave. “All that money helped finance a payroll of $95 million and 4,050 jobs. That makes quite an impact.”
In Williamson County the biggest projects over the last few years have been Rent One Park and the Williamson County Pavilion.
The ballpark attracted a quarter million visitors to Marion last year and the Pavilion drew more than 54,000 visitors through its doors spread over 347 bookings.
“Both attendance and bookings were up more than 121 percent last year and the first three months of this year saw another 67 percent increase in attendance,” said Musgrave.
Larger crowds at the Southern Illinois Boat and Fishing Show and the Spring Home Show were two reasons he said, as well as a new gun and knife show.
In terms of lodging, Williamson County has seen new cabins or bed and breakfast inns open or expand in Herrin, Johnston City and Marion with another one soon to open in Hurst. This spring developers of a new Country Inn & Suites broke ground on a new 67-unit hotel below the Hill near Exit 54A. Another hotel and two more major restaurants are expected to follow later this year.
Besides the dog show, other upcoming events at the Pavilion include Drifters in concert also in June, a cat show in July, and the Colgate Country Showdown Illinois State Finals in September.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Country Inn & Suites Breaks Ground
Jim Zeller, owner of Zeller Construction and the new Country Inn & Suites coming to Marion this fall broke ground yesterday at the site of the hotel on Halfway Road about halfway between Route 13 and The Hill.
Yours truly was there along with other city officials and members of the Marion Chamber of Commerce.
The heavy rains this spring haven't helped the construction season. Zeller said he's likely to move the opening date until sometime in November for his new three-story 66-room hotel.
The new lodging facility will be located at 1306 N Halfway Rd north of America's Best Inns and south of 17th Street Bar & Grill.
For more on the plans check out this article from the announcement of the hotel back in February.
Yours truly was there along with other city officials and members of the Marion Chamber of Commerce.
The heavy rains this spring haven't helped the construction season. Zeller said he's likely to move the opening date until sometime in November for his new three-story 66-room hotel.
The new lodging facility will be located at 1306 N Halfway Rd north of America's Best Inns and south of 17th Street Bar & Grill.
For more on the plans check out this article from the announcement of the hotel back in February.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Governor Proposes Steady Tourism Funding
Meetings have kept me from digging through the Gov. Rod Blagojevich's budget address earlier today, but we just received word from our friends in the Illinois Council of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (ICCVB) that state tourism funding proposed for FY09 will be the same level as this year.
Last year the governor proposed keeping funding levels the same as they had been for the previous two years, but the legislature added a 10 percent boost to the funding line items for local and regional tourism line items.
Here in Williamson County our state grant covers about 20 percent of our budget with most of the remaining funding coming for the local two percent bed tax.
Last year the governor proposed keeping funding levels the same as they had been for the previous two years, but the legislature added a 10 percent boost to the funding line items for local and regional tourism line items.
Here in Williamson County our state grant covers about 20 percent of our budget with most of the remaining funding coming for the local two percent bed tax.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
WCTB Staff Take Part in ICCVB Conference
I normally wouldn't use the blog to talk about conferences we attend, but since the Macomb Journal has an article on it I couldn't pass up the opportunity.
The Illinois Council on Convention and Visitor Bureaus is the state trade association for tourism bureaus across the state. Macomb hosted this fall's conference.
One of the biggest assets ICCVB provides Williamson County is the opportunity to participate in trade shows and promotional events that would normally be too expensive for the bureau to do ourselves.
ICCVB has long had three niche committees - Tour Illinois, Meet in Illinois and Sports Illinois - which focus on the motorcoach/group tour markets, the meetings and conventions market and sports tourism respectively. A new committee, Market Illinois, held its first meeting this week and besides providing professional development opportunities for the bureaus' marketing directors plans to start attending travel writer conferences.
The Illinois Council on Convention and Visitor Bureaus is the state trade association for tourism bureaus across the state. Macomb hosted this fall's conference.
"We're all doing the same thing, we're just doing it for different areas," said Kimberly Bless, chair of the ICCVB and President and CEO of the Elgin Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Tourism in Illinois is booming, relatively speaking. Back up to pre-Sept. 11 numbers, it's now in the top 10 industries that make up the Illinois economy.
"We've seen double digit growth in tourism money (spent) in Illinois over the last few years," Bless said.
One of the biggest assets ICCVB provides Williamson County is the opportunity to participate in trade shows and promotional events that would normally be too expensive for the bureau to do ourselves.
ICCVB has long had three niche committees - Tour Illinois, Meet in Illinois and Sports Illinois - which focus on the motorcoach/group tour markets, the meetings and conventions market and sports tourism respectively. A new committee, Market Illinois, held its first meeting this week and besides providing professional development opportunities for the bureaus' marketing directors plans to start attending travel writer conferences.
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