Gov. Pritzker Invites Canadians to Visit Illinois Amid Tensions

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has launched a new campaign inviting Canadian tourists to visit Illinois, aiming to reassure them of the state's welcoming atmosphere despite recent political tensions between the U.S. and Canada. In a video message released during National Travel and Tourism Week, Pritzker acknowledged that some Canadians may feel hesitant to travel to the U.S. due to current federal leadership, but emphasized that Illinois remains eager to host them. Canada remains Illinois’s top international tourism market, with over 600,000 Canadian visitors in 2023, contributing significantly to the state's tourism economy. The state saw record-breaking growth in tourism last year, welcoming 112 million visitors overall and generating billions in revenue and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. Illinois is also launching a new social media campaign in Canada to highlight its attractions and reinforce the message of hospitality. Pritzker’s outreach underscores the importance of tourism from Canada and the state’s commitment to fostering strong cross-border ties.