Tourism directors from across the state celebrated a state-funded report released Friday that showed steady spending growth last year in all but six of Wisconsin’s 72 counties.
Travelers pumped about $17.5 billion into the state economy, an increase of about 4 percent from the year before, according to the report funded by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.
The agency said tourists — including Wisconsin residents on vacation — directly put about $10.8 billion into the economy, up from about $10.3 billion in 2012. The state’s 100 million visitors accounted for about $2.3 billion in federal, state and local taxes and directly supported more than 131,000 jobs.
Travelers to Shawano County spent $56.8 million in 2013, an increase of 3.84 percent over the previous year. Among the contributing factors for local tourism growth was the marketing campaign that focused on Shawano Country Miles of Art and the strong interest in the Barn Quilt Program, according to Patti Peterson, Shawano Country tourism manager.
“The Shawano Country Miles of Art weekend event created an economic impact of $160,000 for our area,” Peterson said.
According to state figures, traveler spending in Shawano County supports 860 jobs with total personal income of $16.59 million.
“Tourism plays a critical role in our community and continues to grow, and from an economic standpoint, the numbers reflect that,” Peterson said. “Last year’s numbers are very encouraging and we hope to capitalize on this momentum in the coming summer season.”
Direct visitor spending was up 4 percent in Menominee County, from $2.18 million in 2012 to $2.27 million in 2013. The overall economic impact of tourism increased 3 percent, from $4.16 million in 2012 to $4.28 million in 2013.
Gov. Scott Walker applauded the latest numbers and said the state should continue investing in marketing to bring visitors to the state.
“The travel and hospitality industry continues to be an important and strong performing sector for Wisconsin’s economy,” Walker said in a written statement.
The state has seen the industry’s growth taper off since 2010, which tourism department communications director Lisa Marshall said reflects a national trend since the recession.
Counties with the biggest tourism spending were Milwaukee, Dane, Sauk, Waukesha, Brown and Walworth.
Counties that saw tourism spending decline were Pierce, Price, Iron, Grant, Lafayette and Trempealeau. Pierce County in western Wisconsin had the largest percentage drop at 6.7 percent.