Illinois has seen another record year for tourism, with more than 99 million visitors from across the U.S. last year.
The state released the 2012 numbers Monday. It's a 6.1 percent increase over the more than 93 million visitors in 2011. That year also was a record year.
Officials with the State Department Commerce and Economic Opportunity say tourism generated more than $31 billion for the Illinois economy in 2012. That's about 5 percent more than in 2011. Tourism generated $2.3 billion in state and local tax revenues in 2012. The total number of international visitors to Illinois will be released later this year.
The state provides a variety of travel information through its website www.enjoyillinois.com.
