Published on August 27, 2025
By: Tuhin Sarkar
Illinois joins North Carolina, Seattle, California, and Michigan successful nan surging system of nan US tourism assemblage pinch accelerated growth, caller events, and supporting manufacture jobs, and this caller update is present to show why recreation is booming crossed America. Illinois joins North Carolina, Seattle, California, and Michigan arsenic visitors flock to cities, mini towns, and nationalist parks.
The US tourism assemblage is posting grounds gains as Illinois joins North Carolina, Seattle, California, and Michigan successful creating caller events, investing successful attractions, and supporting manufacture jobs. The surging system reflects beardown demand, and Illinois joins North Carolina, Seattle, California, and Michigan successful proving that tourism is 1 of nan astir move engines of growth. With accelerated growth, much caller events, and stronger supporting manufacture jobs, Illinois joins North Carolina, Seattle, California, and Michigan successful showing that nan US tourism assemblage is entering a powerful caller phase, and nan caller update is here.
Illinois tourism surged successful 2024 pinch a grounds 113 cardinal visitors and $48.5 cardinal successful spending. The authorities group caller highs successful edifice taxation gross and visitant growth, proving its spot arsenic a premier U.S. destination. Illinois tourism is driving jobs, events, and investment, while campaigns for illustration nan “Middle of Everything” proceed to boost recreation request crossed cities and mini towns alike.
Tourism successful nan United States is connected a historical rise. States crossed nan state reported record-breaking visitant spending, edifice gross and world arrivals successful 2024. By August 2025, nan afloat image is clear. America’s biggest destinations, from California to New York, are pulling successful billions of dollars. At nan aforesaid time, smaller states for illustration Michigan, Tennessee and North Carolina are mounting caller benchmarks. This article explores nan numbers, explains why nan roar is happening, and analyses what it intends for nan recreation industry.
California Leads pinch Unmatched Spending
California remains nan tourism elephantine of nan nation. In 2024, nan Golden State recorded an astonishing $157.3 cardinal successful visitant spending. The standard of this accomplishment is unmatched successful nan country. Taxes from tourism generated $12.6 billion for authorities and section governments. This reflects California’s powerfulness arsenic a world destination, pinch attractions ranging from Hollywood and Disneyland to Yosemite and San Francisco.
Analysts foretell California will spot dependable maturation into 2025. Visitor numbers whitethorn dip slightly, but wide spending is expected to emergence again, reaching $158.1 billion. That intends visitors are spending much per trip, and higher room rates and experiences are driving revenue. California’s ample stock of Mexican and Chinese visitors adds spot to its world markets, making it a captious subordinate successful world tourism flows.
Texas Expands arsenic a Travel Powerhouse
Texas has proven itself arsenic 1 of America’s fastest-growing tourism states. In 2024, it welcomed 62 cardinal travellers who spent $97.5 billion. The wider economical effect of tourism successful Texas reached an awesome $199.5 billion, supporting complete a cardinal jobs.
Hotels successful Texas besides benefitted. Houston recorded much than 25 cardinal edifice room nights successful 2024, up by much than 8 per cent compared pinch nan twelvemonth before. Major cities specified arsenic Dallas, San Antonio and Austin proceed to grow, while agrarian tourism is expanding done events and roadworthy trips. Internationally, Texas is progressively charismatic to markets specified arsenic India, nan UK, Germany, Brazil and Japan, showing really world connectivity is feeding into section economies.
Florida Breaks Records pinch Sheer Volume
Florida is still nan nation’s busiest tourer hub. In 2024, nan authorities welcomed 143 cardinal visitors, nan highest number ever. From beaches to taxable parks, Florida continues to pull some home and world travellers.
While Florida does not people a azygous charismatic visitant spending figure, edifice occupancy remained beardown crossed nan state, averaging 69.3 per cent successful 2024. County-level edifice taxation collections besides rose, reflecting patient demand. Domestic tourism dominates Florida, but world arrivals are rising again. Canada and European markets are coming backmost strongly, while Latin America remains a captious feeder region.
New York City Achieves Global Strength
New York City remains America’s starring municipality destination. In 2024, nan metropolis welcomed 64.3 cardinal visitors. Direct recreation spending successful nan metropolis reached $51 billion, a fig that cements New York’s spot arsenic a world powerhouse.
Hotels successful New York generated astir $13 cardinal successful impermanent revenue, while nan metropolis collected $757 cardinal successful edifice taxation revenue. These numbers are higher than immoderate different U.S. city, reflecting some request and pricing power. International travellers from Europe, Asia and Latin America played a important domiciled successful this surge. The spot of Broadway, museums, shopping and iconic landmarks make New York a must-see extremity for world travellers.
Illinois Enjoys Historic Growth
Illinois knowledgeable a awesome tourism surge successful 2024. The authorities attracted 113 cardinal visitors, who spent a grounds $48.5 billion. This was an summation of half a cardinal visitors and $1.3 cardinal successful spending compared pinch 2023.
Hotel taxation gross reached an all-time precocious of $367 cardinal successful FY25, a jump of 14 per cent compared pinch nan erstwhile year. Chicago led nan way, seeing a 7.7 per cent emergence successful overnight visitors. Investments successful events, Route 66 attractions and caller festivals added momentum. The state’s “Middle of Everything” run besides paid off, generating millions successful caller trips and hundreds of millions successful visitant spending.
Massachusetts Gains pinch Boston astatine nan Core
Massachusetts besides delivered beardown results successful 2024. The authorities welcomed 52.6 cardinal visitors, who spent $24.2 billion. Hotels successful Boston and Cambridge performed particularly well. Occupancy successful nan metro area reached 77.2 per cent, while RevPAR stood astatine $232.49.
Tourism successful Massachusetts benefits from a beardown operation of history, civilization and business travel. Boston’s world estimation arsenic a centre for acquisition and healthcare besides drives world demand. Festivals, sports, and autumn foliage proceed to pull ample numbers of home travellers.
North Carolina Records Steady Growth
North Carolina continued its climb arsenic a top-five U.S. destination by visits. In 2024, travellers spent $36.7 billion successful nan state, nan highest ever. The tourism manufacture supported thousands of jobs and generated $4.6 billion successful taxes.
Raleigh and Charlotte are starring business and leisure hubs, while Asheville and nan Outer Banks thrust nature-based tourism. Wake County unsocial recorded a edifice occupancy complaint of 67.4 per cent by June 2025, higher than some nan authorities and nationalist average. North Carolina’s divers offerings, from beaches to mountains, make it a balanced tourism leader.
Michigan and nan Midwest Shine
Michigan enjoyed a grounds twelvemonth successful 2024, welcoming 131 cardinal visitors who spent $30.7 billion. The full economical effect of tourism successful Michigan reached $54.8 billion. Taxes from visitant spending added up to $3.6 billion, supporting authorities and section budgets.
Neighbouring states for illustration Illinois and Wisconsin are besides strong, but Michigan’s occurrence is linked to its branding arsenic a four-season destination. Pure Michigan campaigns proceed to pull families, outdoor enthusiasts and world visitors.
Colorado and Arizona Set New Marks
Colorado posted $28.5 cardinal successful visitant spending successful 2024, a humble but dependable rise. Tourism generated $1.8 cardinal successful taxes, pinch Denver hotels signaling occupancy rates of astir 68 per cent. Colorado benefits from outdoor recreation, skis tourism and summertime festivals, keeping request precocious year-round.
Arizona group a caller grounds pinch $29.7 cardinal successful visitant spending successful 2024. Tourism taxes and events boosted revenues, while Phoenix hotels reflected seasonal challenges pinch little occupancy during summer. Arizona’s deserts, resorts and nationalist parks stay charismatic to some U.S. and world travellers.
Hawaii Maintains High Per-Visitor Spend
Hawaiʻi saw 9.7 cardinal visitors successful 2024, who spent $20.68 billion. Despite not yet reaching pre-pandemic presence levels, spending has astir recovered, showing that travellers are spending much per day. The state’s edifice and lodging taxation continues to beryllium a beardown gross driver.
Markets from nan U.S. mainland, Japan and Canada dress up nan bulk of arrivals. Hawaiʻi’s capacity highlights really higher regular walk and rising edifice rates tin equilibrium slower visitant growth.
Tennessee Breaks Records pinch Music and Mountains
Tennessee enjoyed its 4th consecutive grounds twelvemonth successful 2024. The authorities welcomed 147 cardinal visits and generated $31.7 cardinal successful visitant spending. Taxes from tourism contributed $3.3 billion to authorities and section budgets.
Destinations specified arsenic Nashville, Memphis, and nan Great Smoky Mountains are down this success. Music tourism, taste heritage, and earthy attractions make Tennessee a leader successful nan Southeast. Hotel request continues to rise, peculiarly successful Nashville and nan Smokies region.
Las Vegas and Nevada Hold Strong
Nevada, led by Las Vegas, remains a tourism hotspot. In 2024, Las Vegas welcomed 41.7 cardinal visitors, pinch edifice occupancy averaging 83.6 per cent. Average regular rates reached $193.16, while room nights sold exceeded 46.8 million.
Convention request continues to support nan city’s growth, though monthly numbers successful 2025 person shown immoderate fluctuations. Las Vegas remains 1 of nan strongest edifice gross generators successful nan United States.
Washington and Seattle Add Momentum
Washington State recorded mean maturation successful 2024. Seattle unsocial attracted 40 cardinal visitors, generating $8.8 cardinal successful spending. The state’s cruise industry, taste attractions and outdoor landscapes proceed to tie travellers.
State officials statement that finance successful branding and infrastructure is keeping request stable. Seattle’s rising visitant walk and edifice request propose continued maturation for nan Pacific Northwest.
Illinois: Where City Lights Meet Prairie Skies
Why Illinois is connected Every Traveller’s Radar
Illinois is enjoying a tourism infinitesimal dissimilar immoderate other. In 2024, nan authorities welcomed 113 cardinal visitors, some home and international. These travellers spent a grounds $48.5 billion, mounting a caller benchmark for nan Midwest and nan nation. Hotel taxation collections deed an all-time precocious astatine $367 million, impervious that visitors are filling edifice rooms from Chicago to Galena. With nan “Middle of Everything” run adding millions of trips and world events for illustration IPW 2025 bringing nan world to Chicago, Illinois is now 1 of America’s astir compelling destinations. From iconic metropolis skylines to rolling stream bluffs, Illinois offers each benignant of escape.
Chicago: A City of Icons and Experiences
Chicago is wherever astir visitors begin, and for bully reason. The metropolis blends world-class civilization pinch lakefront leisure. Spend a greeting astatine nan Art Institute of Chicago, 1 of nan world’s astir celebrated museums, wherever masterpieces from Monet to Hopper show a communicative of centuries. Step extracurricular to Millennium Park, location to Cloud Gate, amended known arsenic “The Bean,” and drawback a free performance astatine nan Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
To spot nan city’s famed skyline, book nan Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise. A docent-led travel on nan Chicago River unveils nan tales down towering landmarks and nan commencement of nan skyscraper. At sunset, caput to Navy Pier. With its theatres, Centennial Wheel, fireworks, and bustling restaurants, it’s a playground that feels arsenic caller coming arsenic it did erstwhile it opened successful 1916.
Museums for All Ages
Chicago’s museums are legendary. The Field Museum houses SUE, nan world’s largest T. rex fossil, and brings earthy history to life pinch exhibits that captivate some children and adults. Next door, nan Shedd Aquarium immerses you successful aquatic wonders from Caribbean reefs to nan icy waters of nan Arctic. Families emotion nan tactile, interactive displays, while nan lakefront mounting makes it easy to harvester some attractions successful a azygous day. For art, science, and history lovers, Chicago’s taste institutions are unmatched.
Festivals That Define nan Seasons
Chicago thrives connected festivals. Every summer, Lollapalooza transforms Grant Park into a world euphony stage, while nan Chicago Blues Festival pays homage to nan city’s soulful practice successful June. The Chicago Air & Water Show fills nan skies successful August pinch jets and acrobatics, watched by millions on nan lakefront. These events are much than entertainment; they style nan city’s hit and pull travellers from astir nan world. For those who want civilization without tickets, nan city’s neighbourhood festivals—from nutrient to jazz—offer an friendly sensation of Chicago life.
Getting Around pinch Ease
Arriving successful Illinois is seamless. O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Midway (MDW) link Chicago to nan world. Both airports nexus straight to downtown via nan CTA’s Blue and Orange Lines. Commuter trains connected Metra transportation visitors to suburbs and day-trip towns, while Amtrak routes instrumentality retired crossed nan state. Drivers should beryllium alert that Illinois tollways are cashless—an I-PASS aliases compatible transponder makes journeys faster and cheaper. Whether by rail, road, aliases air, Illinois is accessible and good connected.
Route 66: The Mother Road Begins successful Chicago
For road-trippers, Illinois is nan commencement of thing legendary. Route 66, nan “Mother Road,” originates connected Adams Street successful downtown Chicago and stretches southwest done towns and farmland earlier reaching nan Mississippi. Along nan way, diners, murals, and neon signs sphere nan tone of classical Americana. Stop successful Pontiac for nan Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum, aliases successful Springfield for retro diners that consciousness for illustration clip capsules. Driving Route 66 successful Illinois is not conscionable a roadworthy trip; it’s a nostalgic travel done nan country’s heartland.
Springfield: Walking successful Lincoln’s Footsteps
Illinois is Abraham Lincoln’s state, and Springfield is wherever his communicative comes alive. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum combines immersive exhibits pinch uncommon documents and artefacts, bringing nan Civil War era to life. A short locomotion away, nan Lincoln Home National Historic Site preserves nan neighbourhood wherever Lincoln lived for astir 2 decades earlier moving to nan White House. For history buffs, Springfield offers a heavy relationship to America’s past. Add nan Old State Capitol and Lincoln’s Tomb astatine Oak Ridge Cemetery for a complete experience.
Scenic Byways and Day Trips
Beyond Chicago and Springfield, Illinois offers landscapes that astonishment galore visitors. The Great River Road on nan Mississippi winds past limestone bluffs, mini towns, and scenic overlooks. In winter, bald eagles soar overhead adjacent Alton and Grafton. Stop astatine Pere Marquette State Park for hiking trails and melodramatic views of nan stream valley. In nan northwest, Galena charms pinch 19th-century streets, boutique shops, and nan location of Ulysses S. Grant, Civil War wide and U.S. president. Its hilly mounting feels almost European, making it 1 of Illinois’ astir romanticist getaways.
Starved Rock and Prairie Escapes
Two hours from Chicago lies Starved Rock State Park, celebrated for sandstone canyons and seasonal waterfalls. Nearby Matthiessen State Park offers constrictive gorges, woody bridges, and family-friendly trails. These parks supply an accessible flight into nature, and nan historical lodge astatine Starved Rock makes a cosy overnight base. Closer to nan city, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie restores autochthonal ecosystems and is location to a increasing herd of bison. It’s a uncommon chance to spot wildlife while learning astir prairie conservation.
Southern Illinois: Shawnee Forest and Wine Country
The confederate extremity of Illinois holds immoderate of its astir melodramatic landscapes. The Shawnee National Forest is location to nan Garden of nan Gods Recreation Area, wherever ancient sandstone formations create earthy sculptures. Trails upwind past cliffs and panoramic viewpoints. For those who for illustration a slower pace, nan Shawnee Hills Wine Trail links a twelve wineries crossed rolling hills. Sipping section vintages while watching nan sun group complete forested ridges is an acquisition acold removed from nan engaged streets of Chicago.
Architecture and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Legacy
Illinois is besides an architectural pilgrimage. In Oak Park, visitors tin circuit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home and Studio, wherever his Prairie style took shape. In Chicago, nan Robie House stands arsenic 1 of his masterpieces, unfastened to nan nationalist pinch guided tours. These sites, alongside Chicago’s skyscrapers and historical districts, showcase Illinois arsenic a laboratory of American architecture. For creation lovers, fewer states connection specified a rich | spectrum.
Family Adventures Across Illinois
Travelling pinch children is easy successful Illinois. Beyond nan Shedd and Field Museum, Chicago offers Navy Pier’s rides and nan Centennial Wheel. In Springfield, history is made nosy done interactive exhibits astatine nan Lincoln Museum. Starved Rock’s easy hikes are cleanable for families, while Galena’s Main Street offers carriage rides and seasonal festivals. With attractions that entreaty crossed ages, Illinois is 1 of America’s astir family-friendly destinations.
When to Visit Illinois
Illinois offers 4 chopped seasons, each pinch its charm. Spring brings waterfalls astatine Starved Rock and blooming parks successful Chicago. Summer is highest show season, pinch lukewarm upwind and agelong lakefront days. Autumn paints nan Mississippi River bluffs successful fiery colours, cleanable for roadworthy trips and winery visits. Winter is quieter but perfect for museum-hopping successful Chicago and eagle-spotting on nan Mississippi. There is nary incorrect clip to go; nan champion play depends connected what you want to experience.
Practical Tips for Travellers
Stay downtown successful Chicago’s Loop aliases River North to beryllium adjacent to museums, shopping, and lakefront walks. Use nan CTA for easy transport, aliases Amtrak and Metra for location trips. Drivers should put an I-PASS successful beforehand for tollways. For festivals, book hotels early, arsenic awesome events capable rooms months ahead. If you scheme a Route 66 aliases stream roadworthy trip, let clip for small-town stops and section diners—they are arsenic overmuch a portion of nan acquisition arsenic nan large cities.
Illinois’ Tourism Future
Illinois’ caller maturation is nary accident. Strategic finance successful events, attractions, and trading has paid off. Grants supported festivals, Route 66 projects, and sports events for illustration nan IRONMAN triathlon and nan 2026 American Hockey League All-Star Classic. Hosting nan U.S. Travel Association’s IPW 2025 successful Chicago will showcase Illinois to thousands of world buyers and media, boosting world arrivals for years to come. With campaigns for illustration “Middle of Everything,” Illinois is shaping a early wherever tourism continues to turn arsenic an economical powerhouse.
Illinois successful nan Middle of Everything
Illinois is much than a state—it is simply a crossroads of culture, history, and nature. Chicago dazzles pinch art, architecture, and lakefront energy. Springfield connects you to nan communicative of Lincoln. Route 66 and nan Great River Road induce you connected timeless drives, while Shawnee Forest and Galena uncover earthy beauty and small-town charm. Backed by record-breaking tourism numbers and smart investments, Illinois is fresh for travellers for illustration ne'er before.
For those readying a travel successful 2025, Illinois is simply a destination that promises some excitement and discovery. Whether you are chasing skyline views, canyon hikes, historical streets, aliases vineyard sunsets, nan Land of Lincoln will meet you pinch unfastened arms. The record-breaking surge successful visitors proves it: Illinois genuinely is nan “Middle of Everything.”
Comparative Analysis of nan U.S. Tourism Landscape
When comparing states, nan information shows clear patterns. California and Texas lead successful visitant spending, while Florida dominates successful visitant volume. New York City and Illinois person proven nan spot of municipality tourism, pinch grounds edifice revenues and taxes. Midwestern states specified arsenic Michigan and Illinois are attracting much home travellers, while Hawaiʻi shows really higher spending per traveller balances little visitant numbers.
Marketing campaigns for illustration Illinois’ “Middle of Everything” and Michigan’s “Pure Michigan” are delivering beardown returns connected investment. Investments successful festivals, practice sites, and world events are helping states diversify their tourism economies. Hosting world conferences, for illustration IPW 2025 successful Chicago, will further boost early growth.
Tourism successful nan United States reached caller heights successful 2024. Visitor spending, edifice revenues, and world arrivals collapsed records crossed aggregate states. The diverseness of attractions, from California’s coastlines to Tennessee’s euphony trails, has created a balanced and resilient industry.
By August 2025, nan grounds is clear: tourism is 1 of America’s strongest economical engines. States that put successful marketing, events and infrastructure are reaping nan rewards. The early looks promising, pinch trends pointing to higher visitant spending, stronger edifice revenues, and continued world recovery. America’s tourism communicative is not only back—it is mounting caller records twelvemonth aft year.
Illinois Sets All-Time Tourism Records successful 2024
Illinois welcomed 113 cardinal visitors successful 2024, some home and international. These travellers spent a grounds $48.5 billion, according to Tourism Economics. The maturation marked an summation of 500,000 visitors and $1.3 cardinal successful spending compared to 2023. Governor JB Pritzker and nan Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Tourism announced nan figures pinch pride. Illinois is now firmly positioned arsenic 1 of America’s fastest-growing tourism states.
Hotel Revenue and Tax Collection Break Historic Records
Hotel stays played a cardinal domiciled successful Illinois’ tourism boom. The authorities collected a grounds $367 cardinal successful edifice taxation gross successful FY25, representing a 14% summation complete nan erstwhile year’s record. Chicago successful peculiar saw a 7.7% emergence successful overnight visitors, highlighting its attraction to some home and world travellers. These figures underline nan spot of Illinois arsenic a year-round recreation hub pinch increasing hospitality demand.
Grants and Investments Strengthen Illinois Tourism Industry
Illinois invested heavy successful nan recreation and tourism assemblage during FY24 and FY25. The authorities awarded $7.3 cardinal successful grants to 47 tourism entities, supporting caller attractions, Route 66 projects, expanded events, and world promotion. A caller $15 cardinal inducement assistance programme was launched to unafraid high-profile events, including nan IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon successful Rockford and nan 2026 American Hockey League All-Star Classic. These investments are designed to pull world attraction and guarantee continued growth.
International Spotlight pinch IPW 2025 successful Chicago
Chicago will radiance connected nan world shape successful 2025 arsenic big of nan U.S. Travel Association’s IPW. The arena will bring thousands of world recreation buyers, media, and manufacture leaders to Illinois. This awesome convention will showcase Chicago’s vibrant metropolis life and nan state’s divers attractions to nan world. Hosting IPW is expected to thrust early visitation, cementing Illinois’ estimation arsenic a apical world destination.
Tourism Drives Jobs and Economic Impact
Illinois tourism is not conscionable astir numbers—it is astir livelihoods. Visitor spending successful 2024 generated $4.7 cardinal successful authorities and section taxation revenue. The manufacture supported 282,165 jobs, an summation of astir 4,000 jobs compared to 2023. These roles span hotels, restaurants, attractions, and arena venues. The sector’s maturation highlights tourism arsenic a captious motor for Illinois’ economy, benefiting some ample cities and agrarian communities.
Chicago Leads pinch Strong Overnight Visitor Growth
Chicago remains nan crown jewel of Illinois tourism. In 2024, nan metropolis recorded a 7.7% summation successful overnight visitors, underscoring its enduring appeal. From world-class museums to sports and festivals, nan metropolis is drafting much travellers each year. Chicago’s maturation adds momentum to nan state’s record-breaking performance, proving that municipality tourism remains a powerful driver of economical gains.
Middle of Everything Campaign Fuels Visitor Spending
The award-winning “Middle of Everything” campaign played a cardinal domiciled successful Illinois’ tourism success. In 2024, nan run generated an further 2 cardinal trips and complete $675 cardinal successful spending crossed hotels, restaurants, and attractions. According to Longwoods International, each $1 spent connected nan run produced $74 successful visitant spending and $7 successful taxation revenue. This shows nan powerfulness of targeted tourism trading successful boosting authorities economies.
Festivals, Route 66, and Heritage Tourism Boost Demand
Illinois utilized tourism grants to fortify its practice and show offerings. Projects on Route 66, caller taste festivals, and expanded events attracted caller audiences. By investing successful these experiences, Illinois is broadening its entreaty beyond Chicago. Travellers are encouraged to research mini towns, historical sites, and unsocial attractions crossed nan state. This balanced strategy ensures that tourism gross benefits each region of Illinois.
Tourism Growth Builds Momentum for nan Future
With record-breaking visitant numbers, edifice taxation collections, and spending, Illinois tourism is group to support rising. The operation of strategical investment, trading campaigns, and awesome world events positions nan authorities for semipermanent success. As nan manufacture continues to create jobs and make taxation revenue, Illinois stands retired arsenic a exemplary for really tourism tin toggle shape section economies. The record-breaking capacity successful 2024 is conscionable nan opening of a caller section for Illinois tourism.
Illinois tourism is booming. With 113 cardinal visitors, $48.5 cardinal successful spending, grounds edifice taxation revenues, and beardown occupation creation, nan authorities has group a caller benchmark. Campaigns for illustration nan “Middle of Everything” and investments successful awesome events are paying off. Chicago’s maturation and nan upcoming IPW 2025 will bring world attraction to Illinois. The early looks agleam arsenic nan authorities continues to merge travellers, businesses, and communities successful a thriving tourism economy.