Tourism is mounting a comeback in the Quad-Cities.
Visitor spending grew in 2023, according to data from Visit Quad Cities, with the increase driven by overnight hotel stays, day trips, meetings, conventions, sporting events and group tours. The region saw a 5% year-over-year increase in total visitor spending, reaching more than $1.37 billion in 2023 and supporting 9,346 jobs.
This translates to $76.61 million in local tax generation and $85.62 million in state taxes. Rock Island County grew year-over-year in direct visitor spending by 7.2%, beating the state average of 6.5%. Scott County realized an increase of 6.2% in direct visitor spending year-over-year against the state average of 5.1%.
Visit Quad Cities presented the numbers at its annual Destination QC update on Thursday, Oct. 24.
Visit Quad Cities CEO Dave Herrell addresses the crowd at the tourism bureau’s annual meeting on Thursday, Oct. 24.
“Tourism continues to deliver results for our regional destination on many levels,” said Dave Herrell, president and CEO of Visit Quad Cities. “Year-over-year growth in visitor spending and tax generation at both the local and state levels proves that destination sales, marketing and promotion work for the Quad-Cities. Our visitor economy and the jobs that are supported by tourism are critically important to our regional economy.”
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Herrell went on to say the market is softening, and continued investments in tourism promotion and destination marketing are needed to maintain the momentum. That sentiment was shared by Devon Alexander, director of business strategy for Datafy, an analytics platform that allows companies to track and organize visitor data.
Data collected from 2023 showed that on average, 13.5 million visitor days were spent in the Quad-Cities.
The average length of stay was about two days, with July being the peak time for visitors. A break down of demographics showed visitors ages 45-64 made up a plurality of visits, representing 35.1% of the whole. Visitors ages 25-44 made up 28.8%, those aged 16-24 made up 16.4% and those 65 or older 19.7% of visits.
The top five areas visitors traveled from were Chicago at 14.9%; Cedar Rapids, 14.7%; Des Moines-Ames, 6.6%; Peoria-Bloomington, 4.75%; and Rockford, 3.09%. The top trip categories included downtowns at 40.3%; Iowa hotels, 25.7%; sports venues, 17.1%; casinos, 13.8%; and Illinois hotels, 13.7%.
Runners climb the Brady Street Hill as the 50th Quad City Times Bix 7 kicks-off.
Photos: 2024 Arconic Jr. Bix
Runners leave the mark in the eight-year-old division at the Arconic Junior Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
Theodore Schnekloth, 6, takes off in the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
A young runner takes a much-deserved break with some snacks after the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
Raelynn Fuhlman, 7, of Silvis, receives some help as she finishes the race at the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
Volunteers hand out medals to participants as they finish the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
A volunteer hands out medals to the six-year-old runners medals at the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
Two members of the crowd peek out from the race barricade on Fourth Street at the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
Conner Byrd, 11, of North Liberty, crosses the finish line with an entourage of Bix Buddies from the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
Young runners leave the mark along Fourth Street at the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
Friends and family cheer on runners at the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
The crowd cheers on runners at the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
The 7-year-old division participants elbow their way out from the starting line at the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
Racers on the mark at the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
Volunteers hand out medals to runners as they cross the finish line at the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
Participants run the Arconic Jr. Bix down Fourth Street on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
Young runners wait on the mark at the Arconic Junior Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
A volunteer leads the runners to the finish line at the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
The 7-year-old division participants are anxious to start running at the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
A volunteer hands out medals to the 6-year-old runners medals at the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
A boy hitches a ride at the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
Runners in the six-year-old division cross the finish line at the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
Guests stay hydrated at the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
A group of 11-year-olds run the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
A young guest watches the Arconic Jr. Bix from a comfortable height on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
A family encourages a runner as he nears the finish line at the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
Nathan Paustian, 12, of Durant, receives some encouragement from the crowd at the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
Hugh Thomas, 10, of Davenport, sticks his hand out for high-fives from the crowd at the Arconic Jr.Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
Eleven-year-old runners leave their mark at the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
Runners run into the sunset at the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, in Davenport.
Katelyn Metzger
A young spectator high-fives an Arconic Jr. Bix racer during the six-year-old race on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Olivia Allen
Jr. Bix racers grab post-race popsicles in the Quad-City Times parking lot on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Olivia Allen
Six-year-old Obed Toto, the Garfield Elementary School Running Club’s top “Elite” runner for the 2023-24 school year, poses after the Arconic Jr. Bix race on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Olivia Allen
Miguel Cedillo, 9, of Bettendorf, high-fives the Chik-fil-A mascot before racing in the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Olivia Allen
A young spectator extends a high-five to an Arconic Jr. Bix racer during the six-year-old race on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Olivia Allen
Two six-year-old racers join hands during the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Olivia Allen
Obed Toto, the Garfield Elementary School Running Club’s top “Elite” runner, speeds by during the Arconic Jr. Bix six-year-old race on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Olivia Allen
Obed Toko (left), of Davenport, races alongside Beau Schepers, of Bettendorf, during the Arconic Jr. Bix six-year-old race on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Olivia Allen
Six-year-old Arconic Jr. Bix runners gear up for the race on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Olivia Allen
Logan Dasso 6, of Davenport, sits on the shoulders of Andrew, her dad, and watches the races, Friday, July 26, 2024, during the Arconic Jr. Bix in Davenport.
Oliver Little 6, of Eldridge plays with is Jr. Bix Medal as he is held by friend Jen Burman, Friday, July 26, 2024, during the Arconic Jr. Bix in Davenport.
Jim Thomas from Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, blows loudly on his horn, encouraging the racers to finish, Friday, July 26, 2024, during the Arconic Jr. Bix in Davenport.
A large crowd complete with cell phone cameras, capture the end of the races, Friday, July 26, 2024, during the Arconic Jr. Bix in Davenport.
The start of the 11-year-old race, Friday, July 26, 2024, during the Arconic Jr. Bix in Davenport.
Terriq Morgan-Clay (R) of Bettendorf beats out Logan Boll of Bettendorf at the finish line of the 10-year-old ‘s race Friday, July 26, 2024, during the Arconic Jr. Bix in Davenport.
The start of the nine-year-old race, Friday, July 26, 2024, during the Arconic Jr. Bix in Davenport.
Elyjah Ashby of Davenport gets some high five’s as he approaches the finish line of the nine-year-old race, Friday, July 26, 2024, during the Arconic Jr. Bix in Davenport.
The start of the eight-year-old race, Friday, July 26, 2024, during the Arconic Jr. Bix in Davenport.
Jimmie Martin of Davenport is determined to finish his race, Friday, July 26, 2024, during the Arconic Jr. Bix in Davenport.
The six-year-olds leave the starting line , Friday, July 26, 2024, during the Arconic Jr. Bix in Davenport.
A Bix Buddy picks up a six-year-old on her back so he can finish the race, Friday, July 26, 2024, during the Arconic Jr. Bix in Davenport.
A pair of six-year-olds race for the finish line as the crowd cheers, Friday, July 26, 2024, during the Arconic Jr. Bix in Davenport.
Five-year-old Jayden “Superman” Gibbs gets ready to run the Arconic Junior Bix on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Three-year-old Oscar Sanchez is all smiles during his heat of the Arconic Junior Bix on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Following the completion of the ages five and under races, Bix 7 Volunteers Emerson Quick, Allison Harris and Ava Harris-Shepard couldn’t resist their own race at the Arconic Junior Bix on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Calvin Henneman flies to the finish line during the three-year-old division of the Arconic Junior Bix on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Sydney Hutchins of Rock Island and her friend Mickey Mouse went their separate ways during the 3-year-old division of the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Sydney Hutchins of Rock Island and her friend Mickey Mouse went their separate ways during the 3-year-old division of the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Sydney Hutchins of Rock Island and her friend Mickey Mouse went their separate ways during the 3-year-old division of the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Axel Munos, of Davenport, had to get a little help across the finish line of the Arconic Jr. Bix race, from his mother Stephanie, on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Two-year-old Tatum Grothus chases her shadow during her heat of the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Sophie Shrader finds a familiar face to run to during the 3-year-old division of the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, 2024.
One-year-old Callie Peters crosses the finish line with a big smile during the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Runners take off from the starting line during the 11-year-old division of the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Seven-year-olds jump the starting gun during of the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, 2024.
From left, Bella Lombardi, Allie Stringer and Trey Pettigrew run in the four-year-old division of the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Nine-month-old Briar Smith would rather check the taste of her medal than pose for a photo with her mother, Lexi, after crawling in the under one-year-old division of the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, 2024.
From left, Briar Larsen (530), Claire Berkley (460) and Josephine Vradenburg (461) run in the 3-year-old division of the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Two-year-old Rowan Lind runs with his mother Brandee during the Arconic Jr. Bix on Friday, July 26, 2024.
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