The Wisconsin Department of Tourism released on Wednesday its 2021 economic impact data, reporting that Wisconsin tourism generated $20.9 billion in total economic impact, with Walworth County contributing $790 million and Jefferson County contributing $179 million in total economic impact.
According to a news release produced by the Discover Whitewater Tourism Council, the department noted that statewide, economic impact increased 21% in 2021, with all 72 counties reporting double-digit growth over 2020. Wisconsin also hosted over 102.3 million visitor trips in 2021, up 12% from 2020.
Walworth County ranked 6th in the state for direct visitor spending growth in 2021, up 35.8% over 2020 figures.
Information noted by the Discover Whitewater Tourism Council reported that Whitewater saw local hotel occupancy “outpace forecasts as folks seeking outdoor adventure and quiet escapes chose our hidden gem as their vacation spot during 2021.”
According to the release, Karin Silvius, general manager at the Fairfield Inn and Suites, noted that in 2021, the average occupancy rate was 58.4%.
The measure was above anticipated levels for the new Whitewater hotel’s first official full year of operation, the release stated.
Additionally, tourism supported more than 169,700 full- and part-time jobs statewide across diverse sectors of the industry, up 7% over 2020, the release reported.
In 2021, Walworth County tourism generated more than 6,800 full- and part-time jobs across diverse sectors of the industry, up 16.1% percent over 2020. Jefferson County saw a 7.6% increase with over 1,500 jobs generated, the release stated.
“Wisconsin’s tourism recovery is something to be proud of. These successes are the result of intentional and strategic action by everyone who makes up our industry,” Wisconsin Department of Tourism Secretary-designee Anne Sayers, was quoted as saying in the release.
Within the department’s release, according to Discover Whitewater, the following statistics were shared: Visitors generated $1.4 billion in state and local taxes because of tourism spending.
“Without this tax revenue, each Wisconsin household would need to pay $580 to maintain the current level of government services generated by tourism,” the release noted.
For more information, including individual county figures and year-over-year growth, visit industry.travelwisconsin.com.
“Wisconsin tourism continues to recover, but has not fully recovered to Wisconsin tourism’s record-setting year of 2019, which saw $22.2 billion in total economic impact,” the release stated.
About Discover Whitewater Tourism Council
According to the release, the Whitewater Tourism Council is an advisory committee comprised of representatives from a cross-section of businesses and organizations serving tourists. The council works to market the Whitewater area as a regional tourism destination, highlighting the local history, culture, natural wonders, attractions and events. For more information, visit: www.discoverwhitewater.org.
Downtown Whitewater and the Discover Whitewater Tourism Council office on Main Street, file photo/contributed.
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