Tourism spending rebounds, not yet back to 2019 levels

Wisconsin visitor spending increased last year by 31.1% and totaled $12.9 billion, according to a Wisconsin State Journal report. The record-setting increase over 2020 brought the overall economic impact of tourism to $20.9 billion, an increase of 21.2% over 2020. Spending by visitors to the state has yet to return to the record set in 2019, but officials predict the $13.6 billion direct spending record of 2019 will be attained before the end of 2022. All Wisconsin counties experienced increases in direct spending in 2021. Milwaukee County ranked first with $1.8 billion in direct spending, an increase of 33.2%. Direct spending in Sauk County, home to the Wisconsin Dells tourist area, grew 54.6% to $1.5 billion. Ranking third in the state, Dane County experienced a 34% increase in spending to $1.04 billion.