County tourism increased 2.6 percent
<p dir="ltr"><span>According to the Illinois Department of Commerce's Office of Tourism, tourism revenue in Randolph County increased by 2.6 percent in 2015 compared to a year earlier.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The percentage translates to an increase of $35.37 million from 2014. The state accumulated $37 billion overall in tourism funds last year.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"First, we have an amazing community," said Randolph County Economic Development Coordinator Chris Martin in a news release. "Illinois started here, so we have history and the events and attractions germane to our heritage that bring thousands here every year."</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Martin noted the area's proximity to the Kaskaskia and Mississippi rivers, as well as the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta and the Popeye Picnic and Popeye Character Trail in Chester.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"Every community has celebrations, car shows and festivals," Martin said. "Events like the Shiloh Hill Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Show, the Kaskaskia Picnic, and Steeleville's 4th of July Celebration attract a multitude of people." </span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Martin noted that tourism revenue supports roughly 200 entry-level and service jobs in the county, and also provides supplemental income for seniors who may need to add to their social security earnings.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"From our perspective with it, we've got more boats coming in," said Chester Recreation Director Patti Carter, referring to the city's riverboat visits. "More bus tours from out of town that come.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"I think we're promoting Popeye more and the history of our town."</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Chester was recently visited by a new riverboat, "America," on Aug. 17 and an estimated 1,700 riverboat tourists are anticipated to tour the city this riverboat season.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"That went really well," Carter said of the America's visit. "Those people were some crazy buyers at Spinach Can.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"They wanted to see everything they could get their eyes on."</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Moving forward, Carter said tourism officials will be fine-tuning their riverboat programming.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"We're working on putting together, for lack of a better term, menus of things we have to offer," she said. "Everybody always picks where they want to go, but we can provide a synopsis."</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Martin emphasized the importance of communities working together to promote Randolph County and the region.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"We have great media and organizations who understand that we need to tell the world about this wonderful place in southwest Illinois," Martin said.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Martin cited the ILLINOISouth Tourism, the Randolph County Tourism Committee, Chester Beautification/Tourism Commission, the villages and cities, the six chambers of commerce and UNIFY, among other organizations.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"I think our Beautification/Tourism Commission is working really hard on promoting the area," Carter said.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Can the county keep the momentum? </span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"We have to," Martin said. "Three years ago, we produced four television commercials which ran more than 1,000 times in three key markets.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"Those commercials are now on YouTube and we have links to them on our websites." The Progress Committee manages content on three websites that promote tourism. During the past six years, the committee has amassed a collection of photographs of the people, events and places of Randolph County in all seasons.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Those photos are used on websites and social media posts to give visitors a taste of the community's culture. The newest website promotes the Kaskaskia Cahokia Trail, the oldest road in Illinois.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The Progress Committee also maintains a Facebook page and two Pinterest Boards, one for Randolph County and one promoting the KC Trail.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The group designs and runs ads in Expansion Solutions magazine. That publication is distributed to more than 20,000 people in North America and includes an online edition.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The cities of Sparta and Red Bud will be featured in ads and editorial copy later this year.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Martin provided photos for a tourism Sunday paper stuffer in July and recently participated in an interview for an online magazine.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>An economic development Instagram presence, which is more immediate and targets a younger demographic, is on the horizon.</span>
"Technology and working together in county-wide partnership to promote this amazing place has, and will continue to enhance the wealth of our community," Martin said. "Many thanks to all who work in this effort that promotes jobs."