© 2024 WVIK
Listen at 90.3 FM and 98.3 FM in the Quad Cities, 95.9 FM in Dubuque, or on the WVIK app!
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Economy

Local Businesses Offer Weekend "Stay-cation" Deals

Sam Dunklau

Over 50 local businesses are asking residents to take a vacation this weekend in the Quad Cities. The Convention & Visitors Bureau will host its 16th annual "Be A Tourist in Your Own Backyard Weekend" beginning on January 13.

18 hotels and 30 other businesses, from restaurants to spas, will offer special rates and packages to attract local tourists.

Convention and Visitors Bureau President Joe Taylor says the weekend offers Quad Citians a break from their usual routines and promotes their "hometown" as a future travel destination. 

"I view it as a familiarization tour. We want residents to get out and enjoy all the great things there are to see and do in the Quad Cities, so they can become better ambassadors to sell the Quad Cities to their friends and neighbors."

Taylor says he hopes the weekend will encourage workers to take more vacation days.

"Millions of Americans are forfeiting their chances to rest, recharge and experience the world around them at a cost to their workplace, community, and economy."

Coupon booklets and a list of participating businesses are available www.QCbeatourist.com 

I am currently a senior at Augustana College, majoring in Multimedia Journalism and Mass Communication with a minor in Creative Writing. I serve as the General Manager for WAUG.fm, Augustana's online student radio station and have worked as an intern and DJ at Studstill Media Group. I report on local news for WVIK and am honored and excited to be a part of the news team. I hope to pursue a career in radio broadcasting and an eventual master's degree in English or Communications.