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Increase in visitors boosts economy of Aurora area



Visitors to the Aurora area generated $268 million of local economic impact and added to the increase in tourism in Illinois during 2022.

That was the word recently from the Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, quoting data from Tourism Economics, a global tourism research firm which measured the number of visitors and their impact on the Illinois economy during 2022.

In addition, this boost in tourism in the Aurora area contributed $13 million in local tax revenue while directly supporting 3,000 jobs in the tourism and hospitality industry in the region, a 10% increase from 2021, the company said.

The Aurora area welcomed 1.4 million visitors in 2022, the Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau said.

Statewide, Illinois reached its highest-ever hotel revenue figures in fiscal year 2023, which takes in about half of calendar year 2022, according to the office of Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Locally, the Fox Valley Park District's Stuart Sports Complex on Jericho Road has become one of the Midwest's top destinations for youth and amateur sports, officials said.

The 380-acre complex in Montgomery welcomed more than 660,000 players, coaches and spectators to weekend baseball and soccer tournaments during its 2022 athletic season, which runs April 1 through Oct. 31, officials said.

In August, Pritzker announced that Illinois reached its highest-ever hotel revenue figures in fiscal year 2023 at $308 million, surpassing the pre-pandemic record in fiscal year 2019.

Illinois welcomed 111 million visitors last year, representing 14 million additional travelers over 2021. In addition, visitor spending surged to $44 billion in 2022 in the state - $12 billion over calendar year 2021 and 97% of record 2019 levels, according to officials.

As a result of tourist spending and visits in 2022, the overall economic impact in Illinois amounted to $78 billion, a 30% increase from 2021 figures of $60 billion, according to officials.

"Tourism is a key economic driver for our state, contributing to the growth of small businesses while generating jobs for our local communities," said Kristin Richards, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity director. "Illinois has made unprecedented investments in travel and tourism and we're excited to build upon this record-breaking progress as we continue to promote Illinois and support the industry."

Daniel Thomas, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Tourism, deputy director, said the state's "Middle of Everything" campaign, launched in 2022, generated $10 in state and local tax revenue for every $1 spent.

EnjoyAurora.com, the convention and visitors bureau website, had 505,000 views in 2022, a 14% increase from 2021, officials said.

To get a copy of the Aurora Area Go Guide, available in print and online, go to www.EnjoyAurora.com.

The Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the region as an overnight destination.

The bureau's region is made up of Aurora, Batavia, Big Rock, Hinckley, Montgomery, North Aurora, Oswego, Plano, Sugar Grove and Yorkville.

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