Illinois hopes ‘Obama buzz’ will boost tourism

CHICAGO – Tourism officials in Illinois say they expect a boost from Barack Obama’s election, and they’re doing what they can to capitalize on the Obama buzz.

CHICAGO – Tourism officials in Illinois say they expect a boost from Barack Obama’s election, and they’re doing what they can to capitalize on the Obama buzz.

A Chicago tourism Web site invites travel-planners to “experience the city the Obamas enjoy.” The Illinois Bureau of Tourism plans to launch a three-day getaway featuring Obama sites. And in Springfield, tour guides at the Old State Capitol may get new scripts.

Catherine Williams volunteers as a Chicago Greeter for Chicago’s tourism office. She leads walking tours and gets visitors as close to the Obamas’ Hyde Park home as the Secret Service will allow.

A hand-lettered sign in one Chicago bookstore window congratulates “longtime customer” Obama. A nearby restaurant has sold 3,000 T-shirts that read “Obama Eats Here.”

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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