Comprehensive Tourism Market Assessment and Strategic Development Study Services

The City of Joliet is seeking comprehensive tourism market assessment and strategic development study services to support long-term tourism growth and community goals. The agency needs to identify market opportunities, destination development priorities, investment strategies, and implementation actions. This study will guide capital investment, experience development, and partnership strategies over the next five to ten years. The scope of work requires a comprehensive inventory and assessment of tourism assets, visitor-serving amenities, lodging inventory, entertainment venues, cultural resources, recreational assets, and tourism-supportive infrastructure. The selected partner must evaluate the visitor experience, including accessibility, wayfinding, parking, transportation connections, downtown walkability, visitor information services, and connectivity between key destinations. The project also involves outlining a strategic roadmap that connects market insights, priority projects, and organizational capabilities to actionable next steps. The agency requires the identification and prioritization of key target market segments and visitor origin markets, including regional day-trip and weekend visitors, casino and entertainment travelers, sports tourism participants, cultural and heritage tourists, event and festival attendees, outdoor recreation users, group and motorcoach tours, business and meeting travelers, and visitors connected to local educational institutions. The study must align destination positioning and investment priorities with these findings. Additionally, the agency expects recommendations for destination positioning and brand-aligned strategies that strengthen the identity and competitiveness of Joliet. Eligibility is restricted to onshore USA organizations only. The agency allows the performance of the work to be conducted offsite. Bidders must submit their proposals digitally via email or online, and the agency is looking for proposal submissions to determine the budget. The agency has scheduled a pre-bid meeting for June 15, 2026. All questions regarding this procurement must be submitted no later than June 15, 2026.