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Last updated 11:43 am CT September 02, 2010.
Southern Illinois Tourism Development Office Closes Its Doors
The office worked with cities and counties to promote tourism across 22 counties in Southern Illinois. Now, some of those counties are left with no means to market themselves.
There's a lot to see in Southern Illinois and tourism officials say the average family of four will spend about $500 a day to hit the hot spots.
"It really turns into an economic driver for the Southern Illinois region- it really does."
But shortfalls in state funding forced the Southern Illinois Tourism Development Office to lay off executive director, Russell Ward. He's the office's last employee.
"This is something that we have all dreaded the day," explained board member and Williamson County Tourism Director Shannon Johnson.
Without a director the office can no longer serve the 22 counties it helps market and promote.
"Without the state funds we just couldn't find a way to keep the doors open and that's a shame," said Ward.
Johnson says, cities and counties with tourism bureaus will survive, but the loss will not go unnoticed...
"There will be a lot of things that are going to be touched by this in a negative way."
Like counties who have little or no tourism promotion- leaving a hole in the heart of Southern Illinois tourism.
"Well, now they've lost the voice," Ward explains. "They've lost somebody that can assist them with the tourism efforts of Southern Illinois- especially in their county."
Which means, some of the more developed areas can carry on, while others will simply have to rely on pamphlets for promotion.
"This does not mean the death of tourism in Southern Illinois. What it does mean is, especially in those un-served counties, they are definitely going to be hampered in what they can do."
Board members say they will continue to meet in hopes the state will come through with funding for the new fiscal year.
By: Rachel Gartner
rgartner@wsiltv.com
Now: 1283451494
