Traveler Spending Adds Up

SCEDC BLOG

Traveler Spending Adds Up

BY BILL RUBIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

In May, the Wisconsin Department of Tourism released its annual estimate of traveler (tourist) spending for 2017. Spending is up locally, across the region, and for the state, providing evidence of worthwhile local attractions and healthy disposable incomes from which transactions are derived.

According to Tourism, 2017’s traveler spending in St. Croix County increased 4.11 percent to $110.6 million. From art fairs to bacon bashes and everything in between, curious travelers are willing to attend local events and spend some money before they depart for home or other destinations.

St. Croix is not known as a huge tourist hot spot. The $110 million spent in St. Croix is a far cry from the nearly $1.1 billion generated in Sauk County, home of the Dells, waterslides, and excursion boats shaped like ducks. St. Croix has its peppers (North Hudson), chili (Baldwin), and good neighbors (Roberts), etc. The 4.11 percent gain in St. Croix still tops Sauk’s 3.67 percent increase but not Chippewa County’s 10.55 percent increase. Indeed, the Leinenkugel brewery is a major draw.

Tourism spending is a multi-billion dollar industry in Wisconsin. Travelers generated an estimated $12.7 billion across the state in 2017, resulting in a respectable 3.17 percent increase from 2016. Another $19.9 billion in total business sales are attributable to tourism and travelers.

Tourism spending also creates job, even though many are seasonal and most could be described as low-paying. Tourism’s report revealed nearly 2,000 jobs in St. Croix are supported by traveler spending, an increase from 2016. Across the state, around 194,000 jobs are linked to travelers.

Tourist spending pays its share of taxes, reducing the burden to homeowners, businesses, and retirees. An estimated $13.9 million in state and local tax revenue in St. Croix County was attributable to travelers last year. Put all 72 counties together and almost $1.54 billion in local and state taxes was reaped. Cha-Ching.

Whether it’s a snow cone vender or pottery booth, if the person in line does not look familiar, there’s a good chance he or she came from out of town to enjoy a local festival.

Thanks travelers. Keep spending at local events.

2017 Traveler Spending Up in the Greater St. Croix Valley

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2017 Traveler Spending Up in the Greater St. Croix Valley
State’s Tourism Spending up 3.17% to $12.7 Billion

 

2017 traveler spending in St. Croix County increased $110.6 million (+4.11% from 2016) according to an annual analysis released May 4th by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. St. Croix’s $110.6 million from travelers resulted in total business sales of $182.6 million, reflecting a 3.72% increase from 2016. This spending supported an estimated 1,954 jobs (+2.37% from 2016) in St. Croix and generated $13.9 million in state and local tax revenues (+3.73% from 2016).

Statewide, travelers spent an estimated $12.7 billion in 2017, a 3.17% increase from 2016. Total business sales from tourists were estimated at $20.607 billion (+3.2% increase from 2016). Tourism and traveler-supported employment in Wisconsin in 2017 was estimated at 195,255 jobs (+0.93% from 2016). Tourism also provided the state with tax revenues of $1.536 billion in 2017 (+2.20% increase from 2016).

St. Croix, Polk, Pierce, and Dunn counties comprise the Greater St. Croix Valley. Visitor spending in 2017 for the 4-county region was estimated at $272.4 million compared to $261.2 million in 2016 (+4.28% from 2016). In addition to St. Croix’s estimated $110.6 million, 2017 visitor and traveler spending in Polk increased to $87.3 million (+4.47% from 2016). Spending in Dunn County for 2017 was estimated at $45.8 million, compared to 45.5 million in 2016 (+0.73% from 2016). Pierce County’s spending from travelers increased to 28.7 million from $25.9 million in 2016 (+10.84%). Because of the Greater St. Croix Valley’s proximity to the 16-county Twin Cities metro area, many visitors enjoy day trips to the Valley and return to their homes without incurring expenses on lodging. Overnight stays would greatly increase traveler spending in the Greater St. Croix Valley.

Total business sales from travelers and visitors to the Greater St. Croix Valley in 2017 were estimated at $450.2 million compared to $433.7 million in 2016 (a +3.80% increase). Business sales in St. Croix County were estimated at $182.6 million (+3.69% increase from 2016), followed by $131.8 million in Polk (+4.02% increase from 2016), $82.4 million in Dunn (+1.73% from 2016), and $53.4 million $49.9 million in Pierce (7.01% from 2016).

Tourism-related employment in the Greater St. Croix Valley for 2017 was estimated at 4,325 jobs (+1.79% from 2016). In addition to the estimated 1,954 tourism-related jobs in St. Croix, there were 1,098 in Polk (+2.57% from 2016), 837 in Dunn (-1.44% from 2016), and 436 in Pierce (+3.66% from 2016).

State and local tax revenues attributable to visitors and travelers in the Greater St. Croix Valley for 2017 were estimated at $32.1 million (+2.88% from 2016). Tax revenues in St. Croix were estimated at $13.9 million, followed by Polk with $9.1 million, Dunn with $5.8 million, and Pierce with $3.3 million.

Milwaukee is the state’s top county for visitor spending estimated at $1.990 billion. The other counties in the Top 10 include Dane ($1.246 billion in visitor spending); Sauk ($1.086 billion); Waukesha ($776.4 million); Brown ($671.0 million); Walworth ($544.2 million); Door ($358.7 million); Outagamie ($348.0 million); La Crosse ($263.8 million); and Winnebago (240.7 million).

Tourism is one of Wisconsin’s top three industries along with manufacturing and agriculture.

For additional information, or to read the 2017 Economic Impact of Tourism in Wisconsin go to
http://industry.travelwisconsin.com/research/economic-impact and select the topic: “County Total Impact”.

2017 traveler spending up

2016 Traveler Spending Up in the Greater St. Croix Valley

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2016 Traveler Spending Up in the Greater St. Croix Valley

State’s Tourism Spending up 3.28% to $12.31 Billion

The 2016 traveler spending in St. Croix County increased 6.6% to $106.2 million according to an annual analysis released May 5th by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. St. Croix’s $106.2 million from travelers resulted in total business sales of $176.1 million, reflecting a 5.57% increase from 2015. This spending supported an estimated 1,909 jobs (+4.39% from 2015) in St. Croix and generated $13.4 million in state and local tax revenues (+%.47% from 2015).

Statewide, travelers spent an estimated $12.31 billion in 2016, a 3.28% increase from 2015.  Total business sales from tourists were estimated at $1.9967 billion (+3.5% increase from 2015).  Tourism and traveler-supported employment in Wisconsin in 2016 was estimated at 193,454 jobs (+1.44% from 2015). Tourism also provided the state with tax revenues of $1.505 billion in 2016 (+2.47% increase from 2015).

St. Croix, Polk, Pierce, and Dunn counties comprise the Greater St. Croix Valley. Visitor spending in 2016 for the 4-county region was estimated at $261.20 million compared to $253.3 million in 2015 (a 3.12% increase from 2015). In addition to St. Croix’s estimated $106.2 million, 2016 visitor and traveler spending in Polk increased to $83.6 million (+1.88% from 2015). Spending in Dunn County for 2016 was estimated at $45.5 million, compared to $46.7 million in 2015 (a 2.74% decline). Pierce County’s spending from travelers increased to $25.9 million from 24.9 in 2015 (+4.05%). Because of the Greater St. Croix Valley’s proximity to the 16-county Twin Cities metro area, many visitors enjoy day trips to the Valley and return to their homes without incurring expenses on lodging. Overnight stays would certainly increase traveler spending in the Great St. Croix Valley.

Total business sales from travelers and visitors to the Greater St. Croix Valley in 2016 were estimated at $433.7 million compare to $419.1 million in 2015 (a +3.48% increase). Business sales in St. Croix County were estimated at $176.1 million (+5.57% increase from 2015), followed by $126.7 million in Polk (+2.61% increase from 2015), $81.0 million in Dunn (+0.14% from 2015), and $49.9 million in Pierce (+4.16% from 2015).

Tourism-related employment in the Greater St. Croix Valley for 2016 was estimated at 4,249 jobs (+1.89% from 2015). In addition to the estimated 1,909 tourism-related jobs in St. Croix, there were 1,070 in Polk (+1.0% from 2015), 849 in Dunn (-1.06% from 2015), and 421 in Pierce (-0.27% from 2015).

State and local tax revenues attributable to visitors and travelers in the Greater St. Croix Valley for 2016 were estimated at $31.2 million (+2.63% from 2015). Tax revenues in St. Croix were estimated at $13.4 million, followed by Polk with $8.8 million, Dunn with $5.9 million, and Pierce with $3.1 million.

Milwaukee is the state’s top county for visitor spending estimated at $1.931 billion. The other counties in the Top 10 include Dane ($1.213 billion in visitor spending); Sauk ($1.047 billion); Waukesha ($742.9 million); Brown ($637 million); Walworth ($528.9 million); Door ($347.8 million); Outagamie ($339.5 million); La Crosse ($248.1million); and  Winnebago (242.5 million).

Tourism is one of Wisconsin’s top three industries along with manufacturing and agriculture.

For additional information, or to read the 2016 Economic Impact of Tourism in Wisconsin go to http://industry.travelwisconsin.com/research/economic-impact and select the topic: “County Total Impact”.

Tourism Spending Table for 2016