The tourism economy in Wisconsin grew to $16 billion in 2011, an increase of 8% over the $14.8 billion reported in 2010, according to research conducted by Tourism Economics.
More than 95 million people visited the state last year, as tourism also supported 181,000 jobs and $4.4 billion in personal income. One in 13 jobs in Wisconsin now rely on tourism, and lodging sales now have increased 18% from the lows of 2009.
Visitors generated $1.3 billion in state and local revenue and $950 million in federal taxes in 2011, saving Wisconsin taxpayers nearly $565 per household, and lodging sales now have increased 18% from the lows of 2009.
Gov. Scott Walker called 2011 a banner year for the Wisconsin travel and hospitality industry. He credited the state’s “Picture the Fun” tourism campaign, which began last year. “Tourism is a core strength of the state’s economy,” Walker said, “and the research shows that tourism marketing and our platform of fun has been an effective investment for Wisconsin in attracting new visitors and enhancing the image of the state.”
To boost exposure, the 2012 campaign will feature celebrities with Wisconsin connections, including Henry Winkler (Happy Days), Green Bay native Tony Shalhoub, the star of Monk and a graduate of Green Bay East High School, and filmmaker David Zucker, a native of Milwaukee who graduated from Shorewood High School.
