As the COVID-19 pandemic dragged on, rural communities in Illinois faced an increasing demand from tourists seeking outdoor activities and small town experiences, and now a tourism expert says there are opportunities. A University of Illinois Extension webinar encouraged rural communities to reimagine rural tourism which in turn could advance local workforce development. Professor Sharon Zou said tourism is a multi-billion dollar industry that is there for the taking.
Zou singled out four Illinois river towns that have capitalized on tourism, including Galena, Havana, Savanna and Grafton. The state of Illinois recently announced that 111 million people visited the state in 2022.
Story from Illinois Radio Network
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