Effingham Will Celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week Next Week

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Published on April 28 2016 3:12 pm
Last Updated on April 28 2016 3:15 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

Going on an adventure. Relaxing. Meeting new business partners. Learning. Supporting local businesses and jobs. These are just a few examples of what travel means to people and communities.

Mayor Jeff T. Bloemker proclaimed May 1 – 7, 2016 as National Travel & Tourism Week in the City of Effingham, IL. The Effingham Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) plans to celebrate this week by showcasing their “Your Effingham Experience” Contest testimonials along with great giveaways at the Effingham Visitor Center!

This year’s theme is “Travel ‘16” which encourages people to think about travel and tourism amidst the 2016 election season. We want to ensure that travel – and its positive impact – is part of the discussion this election season. After all, travel is a primary industry in America.

“Travel and tourism supports 15 million jobs across the nation, including many right here in Effingham. We are fortunate to have a dedicated network of tourism partners, including 17 hotels, over 65 restaurants, and many great attractions here,” said Jodi Thoele, Director of Tourism for the City of Effingham CVB.

Travel and tourism is a $31.8 billion industry for Illinois, providing over 288,700 jobs and generating $2.6 billion in local tax revenue. In Effingham County, travel and tourism generated $145.09 million in travel expenditures and supported over 900 jobs in 2014. Effingham County also received $2.74 million in local tax receipts from travel and tourism in 2014.

Travel is a broad and diverse industry employing a vast workforce, from airline and hotel employees to restaurant, attraction and retail workers. Travel and tourism support employees in other industry sectors, such as construction, manufacturing and finance. This week is about celebrating all that travel encompasses.

The Effingham CVB plans to celebrate travel and tourism throughout the week. They will be promoting testimonials from the “Your Effingham Experience” contest throughout the week and featuring area attractions that make Effingham a travel destination. The contest was ongoing from April 11 – April 29. They will feature the testimonials on the City's social media sites (Facebook: Visit Effingham) and they will draw a winner of that contest each day of the week (Monday – Friday). Winners of this contest will get a prize package from area attractions. “We’ve had some wonderful testimonials so far. Visitors are always interested in what the locals love. This contest was the perfect way to showcase what Effingham residents love about their town,” said Thoele.

Residents can also stop by the Effingham Visitor Center (1505 Hampton Dr.) to register to win 4 tickets to Splash City Family Water Park in Collinsville, IL and a $100 VISA gift card. Stop by the Visitor Center May 2nd through May 6th at noon to register to win the prize package. They will draw for the winner after noon on Friday, May 6th. Residents and visitors that come in the Visitor Center during National Travel and Tourism Week will also receive a free Effingham ice chameleon tumbler and free cookies from Cookie Creations (while supplies last).

For more information, visit www.visiteffinghamil.com, Facebook: Visit Effingham, or call 217-342-5310.