Wisconsin’s Tourism Economy Reaches $21.6 Billion

The Wisconsin Department of Tourism announced Monday that the
state’s tourism economy reached $21.6 billion in 2018 according to the latest
economic impact figures. Those figures show stable growth in the industry, with
tourism supporting over 199,000 jobs in the state. Trips in Wisconsin topped
112 million last year, with visitors generating $1.6 billion in state and local
revenue and $1.2 billion in federal taxes. That money meant a savings of $680
per household for Wisconsin taxpayers. Recreation was listed as the top travel
motivator for visitors to the state – with traveler spending on recreation
showing 8% growth last year, with transportation at 6.5% growth and retail at 4.9%.
State data also shows tourism achieved a Return on Investment of seven to one –
meaning $7 of tax revenue for each dollar spent.

This week is National Tourism and Travel Week, and Governor
Tony Evers, Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes and Tourism Secretary-designee Sara
Meaney will be traveling the state this week to highlight tourism. Their stops
include Wausau, Stevens Point, Nekoosa, La Crosse, Eau Claire, Columbus and
Milwaukee, along with a host of other communities in the state.