2013 was Excellent Year for Wisconsin Tourism

In 2013, the Madison continued to be an admired spot for tourists, no matter if it was for business, a competitive sport, or a leisurely visit. In 2013, direct spending in Dane County increased 7.5 percent to

beat $1 billion for the first time with overall spending up almost 6 percent to $1.8 billion, ranking it second in the state. On Friday, the figures were released by the state Department of Tourism as part of an annual study that showed direct spending statewide up 4.3 percent to $10.8 billion. The overall impact in the state was up $700 million or 4.3 percent to $17.5 billion.

Deb Archer, president and CEO of the Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau, said that Epic Systems in Verona continues to grow its user group while World Dairy Expo is expanding. New sporting events included U.S. Lacrosse and USA Cycling while conferences included the World Conference on Ecological Restoration and the International Council on Shock Waves.

The report, prepared on behalf of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, also displayed positive gains in all but eight of the state’s 72 counties. Popular tourist destinations such as Door County and counties home to Eagle River, Hayward and Lake Geneva all showed gains in 2013.

The study said, Milwaukee County, home to the Brewers, Bucks, Summerfest, the Wisconsin State Fair and two major universities, continued to lead the state in tourism. State tourism has seen growth in each of the last four years, after a 7.8 percent decline in 2009 in the midst of a down economy. According to the report in 2013 Tourism supported one in 13 jobs in Wisconsin and generated $1.4 billion in state and local tax revenue and $1 billion in federal tax revenue.

According to the study, the state witnessed 100 million visits in 2013, an increase of 3.5 percent. The state also saw an increase in day travelers that pushed recreation and entertainment spending up 6.3 percent and food and beverage up 6.2 percent. Money spent by tourists from other countries as Canada, the United Kingdom and Japan also continued to develop in 2013 to $700 million, up $100 million when compared to 2012.