PEORIA, Ill. – The announcement that state hotel revenues in the 2023 fiscal year set a record that was made the year before the COVID-19 pandemic started is music to one local official’s ears.
More than $300 million in revenue was collected by hotels, according to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, even as some figures in terms of spending have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Here, the data seems to indicate Peoria is doing even better than that.
“As we look to comparative cities, whether that’s in the State of Illinois or in the Midwest, it indicates that we’re really catching up now, and at a great pace,” said JD Dalfonso, CEO, Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Dalfonso says in Peoria, that’s not the only positive Dalfanso sees right now.
“Our occupancy, year to date, from the beginning of the calendar year, is up five point four percent compared to last year – which, comparatively speaking, is above the national average, and above the Illinois average, and right alongside Chicago’s growth as well,” said Dalfonso.
Dalfonso says since many meetings and conventions are booked years out, he believes the upward trend will continue for a while yet.
Hear more from Dalfonso Saturday at 12 p.m., and Sunday at 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., on WMBD’s Week in Review program.
