Enjoy Illinois Partners with OutCoast.com to Welcome LGBTQ+ Travelers to The Prairie State

OutCoast is excited to announce its national expansion through a new partnership with Enjoy Illinois, the Illinois Office of Tourism. Together, they will create tourism content that positions Illinois, including and beyond Chicago, as a premier destination for LGBTQ+ travelers. This collaboration will highlight Illinois as a top queer travel hotspot through engaging content and inclusive marketing strategies.

The partnership will involve developing LGBTQ+ travel content for both OutCoast.com and EnjoyIllinois.com, offering visitors and locals engaging insights into LGBTQ-inclusive experiences throughout the state. In addition to content creation, OutCoast founder Rachel Covello and her team will provide the Illinois Office of Tourism with consulting services, ensuring authentic outreach to LGBTQ+ travelers.

A key milestone in the partnership will be the launch of the “Out Illinois” landing page on OutCoast.com, providing a comprehensive guide for LGBTQ+ travelers to explore Illinois. This page will highlight inclusive destinations, accommodations, attractions and local businesses, offering a central resource for queer travelers planning their visit.

To kick off the partnership, Rachel Covello and her content team will embark on a statewide road trip later this week, visiting Rockford, Galena, Quad Cities, Peoria and Champaign. The team will create engaging content showcasing Illinois’ diverse cities, cultures and landscapes, positioning the state as a top LGBTQ+ travel destination. Their journey will be documented through social media, video blogs and editorial stories.

“This partnership is a pivotal moment for OutCoast and the Illinois Office of Tourism,” said OutCoast Founder Rachel Covello. “Illinois has been a leader in inclusive policies, and we’re excited to showcase the state’s commitment to welcoming LGBTQ+ travelers. Our goal is to highlight Illinois’ amazing destinations while ensuring its marketing reflects the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community.”

Stay tuned for the launch of “Out Illinois” on OutCoast.com, and follow Rachel Covello and her team @outcoast.lgbt and Enjoy Illinois at @enjoyillinois as they explore what makes Illinois a premier LGBTQ+ travel destination.