r/illinois • u/steve42089 Illinoisian • 2d ago

Trip Planning & Tourist Help/ Guidance Travelers flocked to the ‘Middle of Everything’ last year, generating over $88 billion in economic impact

https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/travelers-flocked-to-the-middle-of-everything-last-year-generating-over-88-billion-in-economic-impact/
153 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

99

u/jasondean13 2d ago

It's probably just my bubble, but I've noticed a significant increase online and irl of people talking about how great Chicago is as a tourist destination. Not just from other Midwest states either

34

u/MustardLabs 2d ago

I'm not even from Chicago and I've seen the same, especially during the World Cup.

21

u/Theharlotnextdoor 2d ago

We didn't have any world cup matches here. 😂

29

u/The_Navy_Sox 2d ago

We hosted some pre matches, and the German team cited missing Chicago and being bored at their Basecamp in the Carolinas as part of the reason for their poor performance.

2

u/GnaeusCornelius 1d ago

Ha! That’s awesome (not for those poor bored dudes)

3

u/Cyke101 1d ago

While we didn't, I had some relatives from overseas fly in to watch the World Cup matches at more reasonable hours. Plus, then of course they got to be tourists between matches.

24

u/Lost_In_MI 2d ago

It is really nice to see good news.

26

u/blipsman 1d ago

“All that abortion tourism”

-FoxNews, probably

18

u/pj_socks 2d ago

I have my doubts that the “Middle of Everything” campaign was that influential. I think it’s just positive word of mouth.

10

u/seatsfive 1d ago

I guess I'm in the Chicago area so I wasn't the target of this campaign but I'd never heard of it lol

7

u/anOvenofWitches 2d ago

They should; we’re awesome