2007 Tourism Spending in Milwaukee Remains Strong
05/09/2008
Tourism spending in the Greater Milwaukee area in 2007 remained strong and slightly surpassed the results in 2006. Traveler expenditures came to an estimated $2.579 billion for the year (versus $2.578 billion in 2006). The industry also continues to be a major supporter of the economy by supporting 64,854 full-time equivalent jobs (up from the previous year's total of 64,020), $1.474 billion in wages (down slightly from the 1.534 billion in wages the previous year) and contributing $410 million in local and state taxes (down slightly from the previous year's total of $415 million).
These numbers come from The Economic Impact of Expenditures by Travelers on the Greater Milwaukee Area, CalendarYear 2007, an annual tourism economic impact study conducted by Davidson-Peterson, Inc. The study focused on traveler expenditures in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties.
The majority of visitor expenditures in the Greater Milwaukee area were divided among shopping, which accounted for approximately one-third ($793 million or 31 percent) of traveler expenses; food ($708 million or 27 percent); and recreational spending ($582 million or 23 percent). The remaining expenditures went to lodging ($305 million or 12 percent) and transportation ($189 million or 7 percent).
Hotel occupancy in Milwaukee County held steady finishing at 63 percent for the year.
"Milwaukee remains a great value destination for the business and leisure traveler," said Doug Neilson, president and CEO of VISIT Milwaukee. "We continue to enjoy a healthy mix between our visitor categories and we have some exciting new additions to our tourism amenities, which should draw significant number of new visitors to Milwaukee."
"Looking ahead, with a similar base of convention business this year and the opening of the Harley-Davidson Museum, the Potawatomi Bingo Casino expansion, the Les Paul exhibit at Discovery World and the Titantic exhibit coming to the Milwaukee Public Museum, we believe that the tourism economy and excitement for the city will continue to grow," added Neilson.
Annual Luncheon Meeting
VISIT Milwaukee will hold its annual meeting luncheon May 14 to coincide with National Tourism Week. Each year, VISIT Milwaukee presents the Lamplighter Award to an outstanding individual or organization whose efforts and continuing contributions to the tourism and hospitality industry have strengthened Milwaukee's image nationally and internationally and contributed to its appeal as a visitor destination.
This year's recipients are The Milwaukee County Parks, a treasure of some 15,000 acres of parks, parkways and beaches and The Bartolotta Restaurant Group, whose restaurants have raised the culinary bar in Milwaukee.
VISIT Milwaukee markets Greater Milwaukee to tourists, convention and meeting planners nationally and internationally and is dedicated to ensuring our guests are warmly welcomed and enjoy an enriching experience in this jewel of the Great Lakes. VISIT Milwaukee has more than 700 members, including hotels/motels, restaurants, attractions, services and area businesses. Tourism generated $2.6 billion in spending in Greater Milwaukee in 2007 and supported over 64,000 local jobs. The Spirit of Milwaukee and Potawatomi Bingo Casino are strategic partners with VISIT Milwaukee, providing funding support for conventions and tourism programs. For more information call 1-800-554-1448 or visit www.visitmilwaukee.org.
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For more information contact:
David Fantle,
VISIT Milwaukee,
800.231.0903 or 414.287.4253
E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or
Jeannine Sherman,
VISIT Milwaukee,
800.231.0903 or 414.287.6230
E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)