Instead of trying to encourage tourism in just one place, several western Illinois cities are getting together to market the whole region. It all centers on the one thing they have in common -- Amtrak.
"We just got off the train," said California resident Phyllis Wilchelns. "We started walking down the street looking for something to eat and this was perfect."
For Galesburg businesses like the "Cornucopia" deli, it's all about location.
"A lot of people getting off the train will call us and locate us," said cashier Samantha Newport. "We get quite a few people who are picking people up, dropping people off, stop by while they're waiting."
If you're a Galesburg business near the train station chances are you may have had a taste of Amtrak tourism.
"It's a great thing, it's perfect," said Wilchelns.
But now there's a push to spread the wealth --
"We're diligent about the messages that we're touting about our own individual communities," said Galesburg Mayor Sal Garza. "But we don't have a collective message."
Mayor Garza, along with several other city and state leaders, held the first Amtrak Corridor Coalition meeting on Monday. Community leaders from Quincy, Macomb, Galesburg, Kewanee and Princeton were present.
Five cities separated by miles, but connected by rails. Partners not competitors, these leaders want to promote Amtrak ridership to promote the region.
"More lines, more options, it can only promote this entire area," said Garza. What the group will specifically market remains to be determined.
"Find out what has been effective and where a greater opportunity might lie in terms of those marketing dollars," Garza said. Ultimately creating more exposure for each community involved.
