New numbers released by the Danville Area Visitors’ Bureau show a dramatic drop in tourism spending. Bill Pickett has more…
‘’Covid 19 has impacted the travel industry in a way we have never seen before,’’ said Jeanie Cooke, Executive Director of the Visitors’ Bureau. ‘’Overall spending by non-residents of Vermilion County dropped 13.3 million dollars in one year – going from $97.4 million dollars in 2019 to $84.1 million in 2020.’’
The numbers are contained in an economic impact study commissioned by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity/Bureau of Tourism.
‘’Lodging, food and beverage, recreation, retail, and transportation (which includes motor fuel) were all impacted,’’ said Cooke. The hardest hit was transportation, dropping from $45.2 million dollars in 2019 to $39.7 million dollars in 2020. Lodging followed with a 3.8 million dollar decrease, while food and beverage fell by 1.8 million.
(Photo is of portion of Danville Stadium.)
‘’Since the start of the state’s Certified Convention & Visitor Bureau program in 1984, tourism has provided a steady source of income for our community,’’ said Cooke. ‘’It will be a slow climb back as travel returns, and our source of funding – derived from the hotel/motel tax – begins to rise and be re-invested back into the industry to ensure growth. Visitors represent much more than just cash in our pockets,’’ added Cooke. ‘’It is first-time jobs and careers at all levels. It is capital investment, taxes, quality of life, preservation, revitalization, and sharing our sense of place.’’
