Despite the higher cost to travel, Illinois still remains a top destination for tourists.

The annual report from the Illinois Bureau of Tourism shows Illinois ranked the sixth most popular state for overseas travelers in 2007, hosting more than 1.1 million visitors. The report also notes leisure travel declined by 5 percent last year, but leisure travel over the past two years was up 3.5 percent, which is nearly twice the national growth of 1.8 percent.

Jack Lavin, Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, says marketing campaigns at home and abroad are working.  "We've seen an increase in travel expenditures from both domestic and international travelers.  Domestic travel expenditures increased to $27.9 billion, a 5.2 percent increase from 2006.  International travel expenditures increased to $1.9 billion, a 15.6 percent increase over 2006.

Jean Jacobs, tourism sales manager for the Galesburg Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, says the nearly 6 percent increase in the economic impact of tourism in Illinois is encouraging, but she's also a little nervous about what's to come in the future.  "You can look at it both ways.  People may not go as far this year or spend as much money, or hopefully they'll just stay right here in Illinois (to visit the attactions)."

The report from the state bureau indicates Illinois hosted 89-million domestic visitors, and 3,940 new travel-generated jobs were created.