Taking time off from work is good for you and good for the economy. That's the idea behind Project Time Off, the focus this week for National Travel and Tourism Week, sponsored by the US Travel Association.
Cory Jobe, director of the Illinois Office of Tourism, says Americans do not use an estimated 169 million vacation days each year.
He's encouraging people just to take one extra vacation day this year, because it would add up to a lot of help for local and state governments - in sales tax, gas tax, and hotel-motel tax revenue, plus sales for local businesses.
Jobe also wants to remind Illinois residents how important tourism is for the state - last year 109 million people visited the state and supported 8,000 jobs. And one of the reasons they come is advertising by the Office of Tourism.
He says the budget impasse has forced the Office of Tourism to spend much less on advertising, and replace it with a more active presence on social media.
For information about tourism possibilities in Illinois, the website is enjoy illinois dot com. (enjoyillinois.com)
