IPR Editorial

Illinois Tourism and the Park,
Recreation and Conservation Mission

Tourism! This often ignored and unheralded segment of our economy is filled with promise for those states and communities with imagination and the desire to maximize the use of their resources. There is little recognition on the part of many that the tourism industry represents billions of dollars in tax revenues and provides thousands of jobs. For the tiny State of Delaware, the tourism industry represents jobs for 17,000 people and revenues of about $500 million. In California, tax revenues from visitor expenditures alone, exceed $2.7 billion annually. In fact, tourism is the second largest industry in California providing more than 500,000 people with jobs. Surprisingly, the tourism industry is the leading industry in twenty-six percent (26%) of all the states and in the top three industries of seventy-eight percent (78%) of the states in the United States. But not in Illinois!

The State of Illinois has either not assessed and reported the tourism industry's impact, or the tourism industry has not made a significant impact in our state as indicated in the following chart prepared by the U.S. Travel Data Center.

LEADING INDUSTRY	SECOND	THIRD	OTHER
Alaska	Arkansas	Georgia	Alabama
Arizona	California	Iowa	Connecticut
Colorado	Delaware	Kansas	Illinois
Florida	Minnesota	Kentucky	Indiana
Hawaii	Missouri	Louisiana	Massachusetts
Idaho	Nebraska	Maryland	Michigan
Maine	New Jersey	New York	Mississippi
Montana	North Carolina	Oregon	Ohio
Nevada	North Dakota	Pennsylvania	Rhode Island
New Hampshire	Tennessee	Virginia	Texas
New Mexico	Wyoming	West Virginia	Washington
Utah		Wisconsin
Vermont
(Source: Travel & Tourism Government Affairs Council, U.S. Data Center, Washington, D.C.)

Information obtained from the Department of Conservation's statewide Outdoor Recreation Plan revealed that "In Illinois the economic significance of tourism is less well recognized by the general public, even though travelers spent $5.5 billion in 1981."

A considerable economic impact on tourism may be attributable to the presence of parks or recreation areas (with active recreation — water related activities, camping, cross country skiing, other active sports) historic sites, or unique environmental natural resource areas. Have we ignored these values? Is tourism promotion a means to improve and expand the park and recreation fields profile? Is the role we can play in tourism important to how we are perceived by the citizens of Illinois?

In 1983, the Illinois Association of Park Districts contracted with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs to promote tourism through the "Life ... Be In It" program. We experienced considerable success and many citizens, government officials, as well as park, recreation and conservation members expressed approval and encouragement to continue our efforts. The Hotel & Motel Association (tourism grant money is derived from the hotel/motel tax) would like to see more events which fill their members' facilities for weekends or overnight. Can we play an increased role in tourism by working with convention centers, visitors bureaus, chambers of commerce, and the hotel/motel businesses in offering major special events, tours and festivals? Do we have enough staff professionally trained and educated to plan such major events in our communities or districts? Can we combine the resources of park, forest preserve and conservation districts to conduct regional events for Illinois residents and visitors to Illinois? I think we can and that the efforts are worth the results. What do you think?

Ted Flickinger, Managing Editor

Illinois Parks and Recreation 6 November/December 1983