Will the rising gas prices have an impact on vacation destinations?  With gas prices more than double what they were three years ago, families have to rethink things from where to go to how to get there. 

According to the United States Department of Commerce, US travel and tourism industry is a $1.2 trillion dollar industry, and Illinois alone generated $28.3 billion in income from tourism in 2006.  Illinois is the 7^th most popular state to visit and provides over 301,000 jobs due to tourism.  Between the creation of the “Enjoy Illinois” campaign by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Bureau of Tourism’s “7 Wonders of Illinois,” many have the opportunity to travel within Illinois without taking out a second mortgage.  Both organizations focus on packages that encompass more than one destination, making weekend trips a more fiscally reasonable option, with something to do for evveryone.

But will inflation and higher prices associated with travel cause tourism revenues to take a hit?  Sue Gortner, Executive Director of the Monticello Chamber of Commerce, anticipates a decrease in tourism for Illinois, in part due to the flooding and other concerns.  “I think there will be more “one tank” trips for families- trips within easy driving distances.  With that in mind, we have been focusing more on advertising areas within 75 miles.  Monticello is fortunate to have such popular attractions such as Allerton Park and the Monticello Railway Museum.”   Gortner attributes Allerton Park to drawing about 100,000 visitors a year and the Railway Museum as many as 18,000.  “Plus, we are fortunate to have some great specialty shops and excellent restaurants that are destinations for many visitors.”  Monticello has also recently been named a “Looking for Lincoln” community.  The 150^th anniversary of the Lincoln-Douglas debates is this year and 2009 is the 200^th birthday of Lincoln which gives Monticello an excellent opportunity to be part of all the interest and many visitors to all the Lincoln sites.

All Central Illinoisans are familiar with Allerton Park, some having attended the 4-H camp as a child or strolled the gardens during a lazy Saturday in college.  The recently designated “7^th Wonder of Illinois” is a hidden treasure amidst the cornfields and pastures of Piatt County.  This is the 2^nd year for the Music in Nature Concert Series, as well as the Allerton Music Barn Festival.  Music in Nature concerts are held the 3^rd Saturdays of each month, and ticket prices are minimal.  Aside from many volunteer opportunities, Allerton also has plenty of events for all ages.  More information on events can be found on Allerton’s website, www.allerton.uiuc.edu.

The Monticello Railway Museum has been offering some of the same programs for years, which are always a success with railroad fans.  From the chance to drive a locomotive to special Mother’s and Father’s Day events, the railway museum offers something for the railroad aficionado in all of us.  New to Monticello this year is the Polar Express tour, which, along with the annual “Lunch with Santa on the Train,” is expected to bring thousands.  The Ghost Train and Haunted Boxcar are always well attended, and the Fireworks train allows for fans to view the July 3^rd fireworks without the hassles of crowds and parking.  Tickets for some of these events can now be purchased online at www.mrym.org.

Monticello is the perfect tourism destination for those not wanting to spend a fortune in gas prices, or just get away for the day.  Another great day trip is the Illinois State Fair, held August 8^th through the 17^th.  The fair typically draws over 600,000 annually and can be a great resource for a family looking for a low-cost event to expend some energy and have plenty of fun.  On August 12^th, Monticello will be present representing the community for the “Hometown Pride” event.  Allerton Park, the Chamber of Commerce and Monticello Tourism, as well as the Monticello Railway Museum will be present to promote the community’s tourism aspects to fairgoers.  For more information on this event, stay tuned to the “Monticello at the Fair” weekly articles in the Journal, or contact Callie Jo McFarland at 217.762.2583.