Tourism expenditures in Coles County increase 20% from 2022 to 2023
CHARLESTON — Recently released figures from the Illinois Office of Tourism report that travel expenditures in Coles County increased by 20.4% from 2022 to 2023.
Travel expenditures in Coles County increased at a higher rate than any of the other approximately 20 counties represented by the Discover Downstate Illinois convention and visitor bureau, which announced the state figures for its service area.
"We are extremely pleased to see this kind of strong growth in visitors and visitor spending to our communities in Coles County, and we hope this continues to translate to strong investment in tourism and visitor-related amenities in Charleston and Coles County," said Charleston Tourism/Special Events Supervisor Lori Henderson.
For Charleston, Henderson said a revamped website that is more attractive and user friendly has helped promote the community. She noted that the calendar of events on this site is consistently one of the top 5 viewed pages there.
Henderson said they also have increased their advertising of Charleston's natural resources and Abraham Lincoln ties in outdoor and history publications, while utilizing the professional marketing and photography resources available via Discover Downstate Illinois. Locally, she said tourism efforts have benefited from many active volunteers with the Charleston CAN community group.
Additionally, Henderson said Charleston has benefited from the Linder Sports Complex opening along Illinois 130 and Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic south of town stepping up its annual Harvest Frolic .
"In 2023, Harvest Frolic broke a 10-year record for attendance," Henderson said. She added that the 2024 Frolic on Sept. 28-29 will include even more artisans, food vendors and entertainers.
Illinois Office of Tourism's figures also showed that 2023 travel expenditures generated $4.4 million in local tax revenue in Coles County.
"The current developments in our communities are setting up the future of Coles County tourism to continue to see great gains in this area of our economy," said Mattoon Tourism and Arts Director Angelia Burgett.
In Mattoon, Burgett said tourism efforts have been boosted by the opening of the Hilton Garden Inn along Illinois 16 just east of Interstate 57. This hotel includes a banquet facility, restaurant and indoor swimming pool.
Burgett said long standing events such as the Bagelfest summer festival and Lightworks Christmas display at Peterson Park have gained higher profiles through their long history, the city's new marketing efforts, and Mattoon getting increased attention for the planned Emerald Acres youth sports complex.
"We have really gotten a lot of people's attention, in a bunch of different ways," Burgett said. She noted that her office is fielding an increased number of inquiries about Mattoon as this complex and its adjacent shopping area along Interstate 57 prepare to start opening this fall. "To see that kind of interest before it even opens really bodes well."
Photos from Bagelfest 2024 See all the photos from Saturday's Bagelfest parade in downtown Mattoon, with this year's theme of Bagelfest Academy. Confederate Railroad and Eddie Montgomery performed on Friday, July 19 at Mattoon Bagelfest and Resurrection: A Journey Tribute is set to take...Contact Rob Stroud at (217) 238-6861.
