Better economic conditions and stepped up marketing has led to a nearly 5 percent increase in tourist spending in Wisconsin last year.
State Department of Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett says Northwoods counties saw more than a 4 percent increase in spending. In Oneida county alone, total tourism sales topped $215 million dollars. Klett says lower gas prices meant visitors had more money to spend...
"....when people are spending less on gas, it allows them to use it for other things, like lodging, which is what they did. Lodging was up over 7 percent in 2015...."
Numbers indicate tourism spending in Oneida county alone has increased by more than $30 million since 2012. Other Northwoods counties say comparable increases. Tourism is said to contribute more than 2,100 jobs to Oneida county alone. Klett says more effective marking along with an improving economy helped, and they're hoping to see similar results in 2016....
".....2016 is looking good. We know as long as unemployment stays low, the weather stays fairly good,'c'mon spring, get here and stay!' and gas prices stay reasonable, we should be on a steady incline up...."
Tourism had a $19.3 billion impact on the state’s economy in 2015, up nearly $1 billion, from the year before. For every $1 the spent on summer and fall advertising in 2015, $8 was returned to the state in additional tax revenue.
Visitor growth topped $105 million... a five-year growth of $12.7 million. The tourism economy generated $1.5 billion in state and local revenue saving Wisconsin taxpayers $640 per household. Tourism directly and indirectly supports 190,717 jobs in Wisconsin. This is National Travel and Tourism Week.
