Heritage Corridor Destinations Announces Strong 2025 Economic Impact as Illinois Tourism Celebrates Record-Breaking Year

Heritage Corridor Destinations has released its 2025 tourism impact report, showcasing the vital role that visitors play in driving the economy, creating jobs, and supporting communities and businesses across the six-county region. 

According to the report from Tourism Economics, tourism in the Heritage Corridor continued to deliver significant economic benefits in 2025: 

• Visitors spent nearly $1.7 billion on attractions, dining, lodging, shopping, and experiences throughout the Heritage Corridor 

• More than 12,500 jobs were supported by tourism-related activity 

• Tourism generated $477.9 million in wages for workers across the region 

• $58.9 million in local tax revenue was generated by visitor spending, an increase of 5.4% from 2024 

“The continued growth of tourism across the Heritage Corridor reflects the strength of the communities, businesses, attractions, and experiences that make our region a destination for visitors,” said Robert Navarro, President and CEO of Heritage Corridor Destinations. “Our role is to help build on that momentum by investing in tourism development, promoting our destinations, and creating opportunities for our communities to benefit from visitor spending. These results show that those efforts are making a meaningful economic impact across the Heritage Corridor region.” 

Beyond the Heritage Corridor, 2025 was a record-breaking year for Illinois tourism. Visitor spending grew to $50.2 billion — up 3.5% from 2024 — surpassing the $50 billion mark for the first time in state history.  

“Illinois continues to attract visitors from across the country and around the world, delivering economic benefits that reach communities in every corner of our state,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The growth of our tourism industry supports local businesses, creates jobs and strengthens our economy while showcasing the incredible people, places and experiences that make Illinois a world-class destination.”