A bicyclist takes a break outside Bishop Hill, a historic Henry County village that draws tourists all year round. [Photo by Steve Hill]

Henry County is a great place to visit, even if it’s only for a day.

That’s one of the points of emphasis for the newly revived Henry County Tourism Bureau.

The Kewanee Voice asked Kelly Wolf, the tourism bureau’s director, about the new directions the bureau is taking to promote tourism in the county.

Wolf said the tourism bureau is focusing on promoting day trips and weekend getaways, offering visitors “a diverse range of activities for the weekend adventures.”

The bureau wants Henry County residents to be aware of nearby attractions and activities, and then to extend their outreach to Peoria, the Quad Cities and eventually to “other key markets.”

“Our vision is to promote Henry County as a destination for day trips and weekend getaways while raising awareness among our residents about the range of activities and attractions that the county has to offer,” said Wolf.

She pointed out that there are “numerous events, attractions and activities happening year-round that many residents may not be aware of.

“We aim to bridge this gap, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the live music, recreational opportunities, festivals and more that are available throughout the region,” said Wolf.

The tourism bureau will use technology to spread the word about recreational activities in the county — including the eATLAS app and a user-generated calendar of events on the bureau’s website, https://explorehenrycounty.com/.

Wolf said the tourism bureau is using “a blend of print and digital marketing strategies,” which include a visitor guide magazine, and event guide brochure and commercials for the Quad Cities and Peoria markets, which are available on the bureau’s YouTube channel.

One challenge the tourism bureau faces is that it represents 11 communities, and it can be difficult to keep up with everything that’s going on in them.

“As we receive new information, we continually update our lists and our website,” Wolf said.

The local tourism bureau has a partnership with Enjoy Illinois, which enables agency staff to measure their success in promoting tourism in the county.

The bureau is also collaborating with Bureau County in promoting the More on 34 Yard Sales, and with Visit QuadCities. It also has contacts with local chambers of commerce in the county.

Wolf said the goal is to strengthen the county’s brand and marketing strategy and promote collaboration among the communities by establishing a reliable communication method for gathering information and enhancing organizational structure.

“Through these efforts, we hope to highlight that Henry County is more than just a single attraction; rather, all of its communities work together to create a truly remarkable place to explore,” said Wolf.

***Susan DeVilder contributed to this article.