The Springfield (Ill.) State Journal-Register examines what the draws will be for downstate tourism if Chicago wins its bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
In effect, those draws will be Abraham Lincoln and Route 66.
“We’ve worked for 10 years to reach international markets through the city of Chicago, and we know most Europeans are going to come early and stay late,” said Tim Farley, executive director of the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“We won’t get events,” he said. “But with Lincoln and Route 66, we’re going to get some big spinoff.” […]
Local tourism officials partly credit European reruns of the 1960s television series “Route 66” for the popularity of the historic road, especially with visitors from Germany and the United Kingdom.
“We get quite a few foreign visitors, especially in the summer. Some bring their motorcycles. They come from many countries, but mostly from Europe,” said Barry Lambachia, owner of Art’s Motel & Restaurant, a restored Route 66 landmark off Interstate 55 at Farmersville.
The article also cites Joe Rogers’ Original Recipe Chili Parlor and the Cozy Dog Drive-In as Springfield restaurants that would benefit from an influx of international visitors who want to explore the Mother Road.
The article is obviously centered on Springfield. But other sites that probably would see a bump of visitors during the Games would be Lou Mitchell’s, Del Rhea’s Chicken Basket in Willowbrook, the Palms Grill of Atlanta, Launching Pad Drive-In of Wilmington, Funks Grove Maple Sirup farm, Bill Shea’s Gas Station Museum, Henry’s Rabbit Ranch, Ariston Cafe and the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge.
Chicago is competing against Rio de Janeiro, Madrid and Tokyo to host the Games.
We are pulling for Chicago, because we hope to get tickets for one or two Olympic events! I hadn’t thought about the impact downstate, but yes, that could be huge with the international crowd coming in. Go Chicago! We’ll find out tomorrow….