Tourism’s economic impact undervalued
Sometimes people don’t think about the value that tourism brings or the jobs it creates. It’s not just about vacations or fun in the sun, it’s about a quality of life that is directly supported by the social, environmental and economic impacts that travel creates.
Domestically, the effects travel has are astonishing. Just more than 105 million people visited Illinois last year, spending nearly $34 billion and helping to support more than 300,000 jobs. The effects of travelers were seen in the Chicago Southland, where hotel occupancy rose to an all-time high last summer at 73.7 percent, a 9.2 percent increase over 2013.
A convention and visitors bureau delivers the sales, promotion and marketing efforts that produce definitive results. Given the extraordinary effect of travel and in light of National Travel and Tourism Week being observed through Sunday, we should seek more avenues to support and expand the industry.
How does all of this relate to the Chicago Southland? By facilitating stronger partnerships with regional governmental and economic development organizations, we as a community can start to build the region into a destination that not only travelers want to visit but businesses look to for relocation.
We all want to see Illinois prosper. While the lawmakers and new administration try to figure it out in Springfield, let’s do our part by strengthening the connection between tourism and business in the Southland and increasing hotel occupancy and the number of tourists in our region.
Travel is making a difference in our communities and lives every day. When people travel to the Chicago Southland, we all win!
Jim Garrett, president and chief executive
Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau
Keep the baby out of jail
Recently Heather Mack was sentenced to 10 years in prison in Bali for her part in the murder of her mother.
Another victim is about to suffer unnecessarily. Mack recently gave birth to a daughter, Stella, and it has been reported that the baby will stay in jail with Mack for two years.
Why should an innocent baby languish in a prison cell? Baby Stella should be returned to the U.S. and put up for adoption.
The baby would have a much better chance of getting a stable, loving home — something all children ideally deserve.
Patricia M. Smith, Homewood
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