In a bid to recharge suburban Cook County's economy, the region is launching a new initiative aimed at bolstering the tourism and hospitality industry, which took a significant hit during the pandemic. "Tourism Alive," a program infused with a $10 million boost from the American Rescue Plan Act, has been unfurled during National Travel and Tourism Week, signaling a fresh start for local tourism. Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle led the kickoff event, stating, "The hospitality and tourism industry is a key contributor to the economic well-being of Cook County," according to a release from Cook County's government.
The initiative comprises two major campaigns: "Outside Chicago," encouraging exploration of suburban green spaces, and "This is Your Wake Up Call," aimed at workforce development in hospitality and tourism. The latter offers a lifeline to hotels and restaurants still grappling with hiring challenges despite an influx of 38,000 job postings in the sector by late 2023, as Cook County's statistics report. In light of these efforts, the recent "Tourism Alive" event also previewed the "Hospitality Hires North," a job fair to recruit much-needed talent.
Collaborations with several suburban convention and visitor bureaus have bred initiatives like the multimedia marketing golf campaign by Meet Chicago Northwest, which, as reported by Cook County's news release, fetched over 4,000 new players and a $1.8 million hotel room revenue surge last summer. Beyond bulking up local economies, the "Outside Chicago" campaign is poised to allure both residents and visitors to suburban oases. Eileen Figel, interim general superintendent of the Forest Preserves of Cook County, remarked the excitement for "Outside Chicago," a new venture to reel in a diverse audience to enjoy nature spots spread across an expansive 70,000 acres.
By highlighting suburban leisure spots, Cook County is not only angling towards boosting local tourism but also forging a sense of community and pride in the county's natural resources. Inviting explorers to chart forests, parklands, shorelines, and an array of outdoor activities, the initiative aims to place suburban Cook County squarely on the map for tourists and adventurers alike. A visit to the Outside Chicago website, conceived as part of this broad effort, provides would-be visitors a peek into maps, guides, and tips curated to enrich their outdoor experiences. As per the Cook County announcement, the initiative also taps into social media, allowing visitors to share their outdoor escapades on Instagram.
