Marion…. State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) met with members of his Tourism advisory committee on Thursday to discuss some of the biggest issues facing local tourism. Among the issues discussed were the plans for reopening both Rend Lake Resort and the Tourism Information Center which has been closed down due to construction on the north and south bound rest stops on I-57.
“It has been frustrating having both the Rend Lake Resort, and the Tourism Information Centers closed for as long as they have,” Severin said. “That being said we are working closely with state agencies on both of these issues and keeping an open dialogue with the committee and others involved in tourism that have been impacted by the closures.”
Shannon Johnson, CEO of visitSI, heads up the advisory committee and has enjoyed the improved communication the committee has helped provide for tourism throughout the district.
“Southern Illinois as a whole has so much to offer as a tourist destination,” Shannon said. “We have to be using all our resources though and make sure they are complimenting each other. I think the committee has done a good job of opening lines of communication between groups that otherwise would not be working together as they are now.”
The group meets on a quarterly basis with the most recent meeting held at Walkers Bluff. Their next meeting will be in January.
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