National Travel and Tourism Week Being Celebrated in Effingham

Going on an adventure with family and friends. Relaxing. Meeting new people. 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 6 - 12 as National Travel & Tourism Week in the City of Effingham. The Effingham Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) plans to celebrate this week by highlighting “then & now” photos of some of Effingham’s most recognizable spots on social media, along with great giveaways at the Effingham Visitor Center!

This year’s theme, “Then & Now,” highlights the travel industry’s history of economic impact, and its enduring ethos of welcoming travelers to the area. The theme this year allows us to look back on how Effingham has changed over the years.

Travel and tourism is a $35.1 billion industry for Illinois, providing over 300,000 jobs and generating $2.7 billion in local tax revenue. In Effingham County, travel and tourism generated $156.88 million in travel expenditures and supported close to 1,200 jobs in 2016. Effingham County also received $3.20 million in local tax receipts from travel and tourism in 2016. The travel and tourism industry in Effingham has a huge impact on the area and we’re excited to celebrate this week.

This week is about honoring all that travel encompasses, including the people we travel with. The Effingham Tourism Office will be celebrating online and at the Visitor Center all week long. They are asking people to submit their own “Family Vacation: Then & Now” photos to be entered to win a gift basket worth over $100. They are looking for families or friends to re-create a classic family photo here in Effingham. Get resourceful and have fun with it! Maybe re-create that beach photo at Lake Sara or in front of one of Effingham’s attractions. Post it to the Effingham Tourism Facebook page, “Visit Effingham” by noon on May 11th for a chance to win the gift basket worth over $100.

The Effingham Tourism Office is also giving away a grand prize at the end of the week. Residents can stop by the Effingham Visitor Center (1505 Hampton Dr.) to register to win a $250 gift card to the Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee, IL. Stop by the Visitor Center May 7 – 11th to register to win the gift card. They will draw for the winner after 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 11. You can register until noon Friday. Residents and visitors that come in the Visitor Center during National Travel and Tourism Week will also receive a free Effingham pop socket phone stand and cookies from Cookie Creations (while supplies last). For more information, visit www.visiteffinghamil.com, Facebook: Visit Effingham, or call 217-342-5310.