Tourism /tags/tourism Tourism en-US Copyright © 2024 Fri, 04 Apr 2025 14:20:13 GMT You know that giant pink elephant on I-55? It’s ‘the most American’ place you’ll ever see /2025-04-04/livingston-antique-mall-giant-pink-elephant-i-55-i-american The Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston, located about 40 miles northeast of St. Louis, cannot be missed for drivers on Interstate 55. Fri, 04 Apr 2025 14:20:13 GMT /2025-04-04/livingston-antique-mall-giant-pink-elephant-i-55-i-american Joshua Carter New head of Explore St. Louis says a post-pandemic bounce-back is coming this year /economy-business/2025-03-20/new-head-of-explore-st-louis-says-a-post-pandemic-bounce-back-is-coming-this-year Brad Dean says new partnerships and strategies will entice visitors and help rewrite the narrative for locals. Thu, 20 Mar 2025 10:00:00 GMT /economy-business/2025-03-20/new-head-of-explore-st-louis-says-a-post-pandemic-bounce-back-is-coming-this-year Abby Llorico Belleville business people help rescue Art on the Square by volunteering to lead it /economy-business/2024-09-16/belleville-business-rescue-art-square Rebecca Boyer and Karl Gilpin volunteered to become the organization’s new co-directors after learning that next year’s show was at risk of being canceled due to lack of leadership. Mon, 16 Sep 2024 15:19:04 GMT /economy-business/2024-09-16/belleville-business-rescue-art-square Teri Maddox ‘Politics’ by Belleville mayor threatens future of Art on the Square, directors say /economy-business/2024-09-15/belleville-mayor-threatens-future-art-square Co-Directors of Art on the Square, a staple of the Metro East town, sent an email to committee members last week, stating that they didn’t “see a path” for putting on a show in 2025. Sun, 15 Sep 2024 10:00:00 GMT /economy-business/2024-09-15/belleville-mayor-threatens-future-art-square Teri Maddox, Mike Koziatek Southwest Illinois to get $850,000 for Route 66 projects ahead of 100th anniversary /economy-business/2024-04-15/southwest-illinois-to-get-850-000-for-route-66-projects-ahead-of-100th-anniversary The biggest project for the 2026 anniversary currently funded will be in downtown Granite City. The Metro East town will revive its old neon Route 66 signs, create a music band stand and put in electric vehicle charging stations. Mon, 15 Apr 2024 10:00:00 GMT /economy-business/2024-04-15/southwest-illinois-to-get-850-000-for-route-66-projects-ahead-of-100th-anniversary Will Bauer 2024 Eclipse Guide: How to enjoy totality in Missouri and Illinois /health-science-environment/2024-03-27/2024-total-solar-eclipse-illinois-missouri-what-to-know This will be the last time in more than 300 years, researchers say, that a total solar eclipse will go over southern Illinois and Missouri. Here’s what you need to know to make the best of the celestial spectacle. Wed, 27 Mar 2024 10:30:42 GMT /health-science-environment/2024-03-27/2024-total-solar-eclipse-illinois-missouri-what-to-know Brian Munoz, Lara Hamdan Southern Illinois and Missouri towns are eager for April's solar eclipse tourism /economy-business/2024-03-25/missouri-and-southern-illinois-towns-are-eager-for-aprils-solar-eclipse-tourism Communities in the path of next month's total solar eclipse could see millions of dollars flow into their communities for a chance to witness a few minutes of darkness when the moon passes in front of the sun. Mon, 25 Mar 2024 10:00:00 GMT /economy-business/2024-03-25/missouri-and-southern-illinois-towns-are-eager-for-aprils-solar-eclipse-tourism Eric Schmid Grafton, Illinois, unveils $6 million plans for new war memorial /economy-business/2023-10-11/grafton-illinois-unveils-6-million-plans-for-new-war-memorial Grafton’s mayor said the city has raised about $130,000 so far. If the city meets its goals, it will finish the new memorial, museum and plaza in the next four years. Wed, 11 Oct 2023 21:38:50 GMT /economy-business/2023-10-11/grafton-illinois-unveils-6-million-plans-for-new-war-memorial Will Bauer Southwest Illinois' tourism generated record economic growth last year /economy-business/2023-10-03/southwest-illinois-tourism-generates-record-economic-growth-last-year Along with the rest of the state, southwest Illinois’ tourism industry continues to see a solid bounce back following a pandemic lull, according to the latest figures released for 2022. Tue, 03 Oct 2023 14:24:00 GMT /economy-business/2023-10-03/southwest-illinois-tourism-generates-record-economic-growth-last-year Will Bauer Illinois hotels report record revenues for fiscal year 2023 /economy-business/2023-07-11/illinois-hotels-report-record-revenues-for-fiscal-year-2023 The highs for Illinois tourism come after dramatic drop-off in revenue during the pandemic. Tue, 11 Jul 2023 15:39:36 GMT /economy-business/2023-07-11/illinois-hotels-report-record-revenues-for-fiscal-year-2023 Andrew Adams