2015 traveler spending up in the Greater St. Croix Valley; state’s tourism spending up 4.39% to $11.91 billion
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The 2015 traveler spending in St. Croix County increased 6.03% to $99.7 million according to an annual analysis released April 29th by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. St. Croix’s $99.7 million from travelers resulted in total business sales of $166.8 million, reflecting a 5.41% increase from 2014. This spending supported an estimated 1,828 jobs (+4.56% from 2014) in St. Croix and generated $12.7 million in state and local tax revenues (+5.96% from 2014).
Statewide, travelers spent an estimated $11.919 billion in 2015, a 4.39% increase from 2014. Total business sales from tourists were estimated at $1.929 billion (+4.42% from 2014). Tourism and traveler-supported employment in Wisconsin in 2015 was estimated at 190,717 jobs (+1.64% from 2014). Tourism also provided the state with tax revenues of $1.495 billion in 2015 (+3.37% increase from 2014).
St. Croix, Polk, Pierce, and Dunn counties comprise the Greater St. Croix Valley. Visitor spending in 2015 for the 4-county region was estimated at $253.3 million compared to $245.0 million in 2014 (a 3.38% increase from 2014). In addition to St. Croix’s estimated $99.7 million, visitor and traveler spending in Polk for 2015 increased to $82.0 million (+3.11 from 2014). Spending in Dunn County increased 0.71% to $46.7 million. Pierce County’s spending from travelers declined 0.54% to $24.9 million. Because of the Greater St. Croix Valley’s proximity to the 13-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 increase traveler spending in the Great St. Croix Valley.
Total business sales from travelers and visitors to the Greater St. Croix Valley in 2015 were estimated at $419.1 million compared to $403.3 million in 2014 (a 3.91% increase). Business sales in St. Croix County were estimated at $166.8 million (+5.41% increase from 2014), followed by $123.5 in Polk (+3.60% increase from 2014), $80.9 million in Dunn (+2.27% from 2014), and $47.9 million in Pierce (+1.91% from 2014).
Tourism-related employment in the Greater St. Croix Valley for 2015 was estimated at 4,170 jobs (+2.0% from 2014). In addition to the estimated 1,828 jobs in St. Croix, there were 1,062 in Polk (+0.18% from 2014); 858 in Dunn (-0.70% from 2014); and 422 in Pierce (+1.44% from 2014).
State and local tax revenues attributable to visitors and travelers in the Greater St. Croix Valley in 2015 were estimated at $30.4 million (+2.96% increase from 2014). Tax revenues in St. Croix were estimated at $12.7 million; followed by Polk with $8.7 million; Dunn with $6.0 million; and Pierce at $3.0 million.
Milwaukee is the state’s top county for visitor spending estimated at $1.85 billion. The other counties in the Top 10 include Dane ($1.15 billion in visitor spending); Sauk ($1.0 billion); Waukesha ($721 million); Brown ($613 million); Walworth ($509 million); Outagamie ($335 million); Door ($332 million); La Crosse ($236 million); and Marathon ($235 million).
Tourism is one of Wisconsin’s top three industries along with manufacturing and agriculture.
For additional information, or to read the 2015 Economic Impact of Tourism in Wisconsin go to http://industry.travelwisconsin.com/research/economic-impact (select topic: “County Total Impact”).
