Published: July 11, 2008 10:11 am            

Jefferson County second in tourism funds in Southern Illinois

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Jefferson County generated the second-highest amount of money from tourism in Southern Illinois during fiscal year 2007, at $80.2 million, up 7.6 percent from the prior year, according to information from the governor and the Illinois Bureau of Tourism.

“We’re certainly pleased to see the increase,” City Manager Ron Neibert said. “It shows the city’s efforts in promoting tourism, in concert with the state of Illinois, is obviously reaping rewards. Other areas may be showing a decline, but tourism in Jefferson County is showing growth.”

Visitors generated $472 million, impacting local communities in 19 Southern Illinois counties including Jefferson, Alexander, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Saline, Union, Wabash, Wayne, White and Williamson. Williamson County came in with the top impact at $100.1 million, up 11 percent from the prior year. Third place was Massac County at $67.1 million, up 1.8 percent.

According to information from the state, local and state tax revenues grew by 5.5 percent and generated more than $2 billion in travel spending — the highest level ever. Since 2002, state and local tax revenues have grown by about $460 million, showing a 28 percent increase.

According to Ashley Cross of the IBOT, the state tracks the economic impact of tourism with the help of the Travel Industry Association of America, the leading travel association in the U.S, with headquarters in Washington, D.C.

“We monitor things and report to them,” Cross said. “The key indicator of economic impact is overnight stays in hotels and motels across the state. They put that information into the equation to get the official economic impact numbers. Local tourism groups and the state work hard to make sure each region has accurate numbers.”

The economic impact for Southern Illinois was reported at:

— Williamson County, $100.1 million, up 11 percent;

— Jefferson County, $80.2 million, up 7.6 percent;

— Massac County, $67.1 million, up 1.8 percent;

— Jackson County, $58.7 million, up 7.5 percent;

— Franklin County, $29.5 million, up 2.8 percent;

— Perry County, $24.3 million, up 7.2 percent;

— White County, $19.2 million, up 0.6 percent;

— Johnson County, $16.6 million, up 0.7 percent;

— Saline County, $16.2 million, up 4.6 percent;

— Wayne County, $9.5 million, up 1.5 percent;

— Union County, $8.9 million, up 7.1 percent;

— Wabash County, $8.8 million, up 3.6 percent;

— Hardin County, $6.8 million, up 0.5 percent;

— Alexander County, $5.9 million, up 8.4 percent;

— Hamilton County, $5.6 million, up 6.3 percent;

— Pope County, $5.3 million, up 5.7 percent;

— Pulaski County, $3.7 million, up 1.5 percent;

— Gallatin County $3.3 million, down 1 percent; and

— Edwards County, $2.6 million, up 3.8 percent.

“Due in part to the national economic climate, leisure travel declined by 5 percent in 2007, down from the 9 percent growth experienced in 2006,” information from the governor’s office stated. “However, Illinois leisure travel’s increase of 3.5 percent over the last two years has outpaced the national growth rate of 1.8 percent.”

        

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