CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Paul Faraci announced over $125,000 is coming to a local tourism partner in the 52nd District thanks to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s latest rounds of tourism funding to boost marketing partnerships and international travel.
“The 52nd District is home to amazing attractions that residents, visitors and international travelers can all enjoy, including the historic Virginia Theater downtown and the Krannert Art Museum on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “I’m glad to see these investments coming to Champaign County to ensure our community can continue to draw in crowds that support the businesses, attractions and events that make the 52nd District so special.”
Two programs administered by DCEO are supporting tourism investments in the district Faraci represents. Through the Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant Program, the Champaign County Convention & Visitors Bureau is set to receive $100,000 to promote the Champaign-Urbana area. Additionally, through the International Tourism Grant Program, the Champaign County CVB is also set to receive almost $26,000 to support advertising and promotions focused on the LGBTQ+ market, experiential travel, the agritourism sector, and press and influencer trips with Mexico.
Through the Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant Program, DCEO provides matching grants to assist in the promotion of tourism attractions, destinations and events in Illinois. Grant funding helps tourism partners market their attractions and events to increase visitation by both business and leisure travelers in order to increase overnight stays in Illinois.
The International Tourism Grant Program increases international travel to Illinois through marketing efforts directed to target markets that include Mexico, Canada, UK/Ireland, Germany, and German-speaking regions in Austria and Switzerland, with targeted, bespoke programming in India and Japan.
“Tourism is a vital part of Illinois’ economy, supporting businesses, creating jobs and driving economic activity in communities across our state,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “Through these grants, we’re investing in efforts to help Illinois build on the tremendous momentum of our tourism industry and ensure communities across the state benefit from the billions of dollars visitors spend each year.”
For a full list of Tourism Marketing Partnership grant recipients, click here. For a full list of International Tourism grant recipients, click here.
