Media Resources

Visit Lake County Celebrates National Tourism Week

May 04, 2015
Visit Lake County is celebrating National Travel & Tourism Week this week (May 2 – May 10) promoting the power of travel. The goal is to recognize the economic, cultural and social benefits created by travel and tourism in Lake County.

Lake County remains in the top three counties in Illinois travel expenditures behind Cook and DuPage County. Travelers generated $1.2 billion in visitor spending in 2013 in Lake County. The County and local municipalities earned $25.78 million in local tax receipts from visitors to the area. State tax receipts in Lake County generated $72.24 million – a 1.3% increase from the prior year. Each U.S. household would pay $1,093 more in taxes without the tax revenue generated by travel and tourism.

The 2015 National Travel & Tourism week initiative is Travel is ______: What is the definition of travel in the eyes of the beholder. The US Travel Association challenged the travel community to voice their creativity with this theme that is personalized to reflect the unique value and impact of the industry. For example, Travel is adventure, travel is family bonding, travel is serious business, travel is more than just fun, travel is creating American jobs or travel is essential to our economy and our lives.

“Travel is big business here in Lake County” said Visit Lake County President Maureen Riedy. “We are anticipating a strong summer tourism season drawing tens of thousands of visitors here who will be spending money at our hotels, restaurants, shopping centers and attractions, and enjoying our abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities and many festivals too.”

Visit Lake County serves as the champion for tourism and the official destination marketing organization for Lake County, Illinois and represents municipalities, hotels, attractions and hospitality related businesses throughout the county. The agency provides travel resources and services for visitors and event planners to enhance the economic impact of travel spending in the county

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