Aurora Area tourism grows to $201.5 million
Visitors to the Aurora Area spent $201.5 million on lodging, gas, dining and other travel related expenditures in the region in 2018.
This is a 3.7% increase over the prior year, representing the fourth consecutive year of growth for this and other measures reported by the U.S. Travel Association and Illinois Office of Tourism.
Tourism related spending also led to a 4% increase in local tax receipts collected in the portions of Kane, Kendall, and DuPage counties serviced by the Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), as well as a 9.6% increase in state tax receipts.
These numbers are supported by the Aurora Area CVB's regional lodging reports which reflect an increase in hotel occupancy of nearly 2% in 2018. Average daily rates (ADR) for Aurora Area hotels increased 3.4% and revenue per available room (RevPAR) was up 5.2% in the same period.
"Tourism growth in the Aurora Area reflects the benefit of the regional marketing efforts and strength gained through partnership and cooperation," said Cort Carlson, executive director of the Aurora Area CVB. "The Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is fortunate to have a strong network of municipal partners who understand the economic development benefits of tourism, as well as a diverse product base that continues to attract new and repeat visitors year after year. "
In a July press release, Gov. JB Pritzker announced record tourism growth for the state of Illinois. More than 117 million visitors traveled to Illinois in 2018, setting a new record number of visitors to the state.
The Aurora Area contributes to Illinois' tourism growth with its collection of attractions - including Chicago Premium Outlets, Raging Waves Waterpark, Farnsworth House, and Paramount Theatre, which boasts the second-largest subscription base of any theater in the nation - as well as a robust sales effort that brings thousands of youth and amateur sporting event attendees to the Stuart Sports Complex, a Fox Valley Park District property, and various competition sites throughout the region.