The Tourism Federation of Wisconsin (TFW) is a lobbying coalition of trade and promotional associations and organizations actively involved in Wisconsin's tourism industry. TFW serves as Wisconsin tourism industry's unified voice in government relations, cooperatively seeking to improve Wisconsin's tourism industry through supportive legislation and policies. Recent legislative wins include maintaining Wisconsin's Sept. 1st school start date, supporting a statwide smoking ban and strenghtening Wisconsin's room tax law.

Learn more about TFW's mission, members, issues and resources through this Web site.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Studies show that tourism generates $16 billion in business sales in Wisconsin, more than 180,000 jobs and $2 billion dollars in annual tax revenue. In 2011, 95 million visitors to Wisconsin spent $10 billion, 7.6% more than in 2010. Our year-round industry is growing, and helping to jump start Wisconsin’s economy. As our state looks to increase revenues and create jobs and, the tourism and hospitality industry is making a significant contribution.

• Tourism provides Wisconsin with a year-round economic boost. From fishing, hiking and sporting tournaments in the spring, to boating, camping, festivals and conventions in the summer and fall, and snowmobiling and skiing in the winter, tourism brings important economic activity to Wisconsin 365 days a year. Tourism touches every corner of our state in a positive way and creates a multi-billion dollar economic punch.

• If Wisconsin is looking for a growth industry, tourism is it. The tourism industry doesn’t require massive government intervention or huge infrastructure projects; it only requires a solid commitment to making Wisconsin shine as a true star amid the Midwestern Snow Belt. There will also never be a threat to export tourism jobs because you can’t move the mighty Mississippi River out of Wisconsin, and the Dells will always be in Wisconsin Dells. Wisconsin tourism is homegrown and based on our abundant natural resources. People like the way we welcome them to visit our state and enjoy our hospitality.

• Our tourism industry is dominated by thousands of small family-owned and operated businesses around the state. They’re owned by hardworking people who are making a real and positive economic impact on their communities each day. These businesses are run by active and engaged citizens who provide real jobs and are a solid backbone for our state’s economy.

• Other states recognize the economic value of tourism and Wisconsin needs to do more. In 2009, Michigan pumped $30 million into tourism promotion. The net result? More than 680,000 new visitors vacationed in the state and spent $250 million, generating tax revenues and countless new jobs. The evidence shows that the more you invest in tourism, the greater the return. Wisconsin's Governor and Legislature recognized the value of tourism promotion and increased the budget to $15 million per year in July 2010. Travel spending was up nearly 8% in 2011.

• There is strong support in Wisconsin for investing in tourism promotion. A recent statewide public opinion survey showed that 93% of Wisconsin voters agree that "tourism is important to the Wisconsin economy and that 89% said "promoting tourism helps strengthen Wisconsin's economy."

• Our state is spending hundreds of millions of dollars in tax incentives to keep jobs in Wisconsin, yet by comparison, the modest investment of $13.5 million in tourism promotion annually is creating tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue, attracting hundreds of thousands of new visitors to our state and sustaining and/or creating new jobs. The factual evidence is basic. We cut tourism promotion, and we lose. We support tourism, and state taxpayers and our economy win. The WI Department of Tourism reports that or every dollar invested in tourism, $6
was returned to state and local governments in incremental tax revenue.

TFW's Tourism Tidbits Newsletter

TOURISM INDUSTRY TOUTS STRONG 2011 SUMMER SEASON
Weather, Closer-to-Home Vacations and Additional State Marketing Seen As Factors - 11/2011

The warm summer breezes may now be just a memory, but many tourism businesses and destinations are still feeling the benefits of a strong summer tourism season. While the complete picture of the summer tourism season won't be available until next year, there are many indicators signaling that Summer 2011 was strong. Several factors played into the successful tourism season. Read more...

The Wisconsin Department of Tourism reported this week that travelers spent an estimated $12 billion in Wisconsin during 2009, down nearly 8 percent, or $1 billion, from the prior year. As a result, there were similar percentage decreases in estimated full-time-equivalents jobs, resident income, and taxes and fees paid to Wisconsin governments. Certainly, the economic downturn took a toll on Wisconsin's tourism industry. People had less discretionary money to spend on their vacations. It also didn't help that the state has been cutting the tourism promotion budget significantly during the past year, inviting fewer people to enjoy our attractions, restaurants, lodging facilities and destinations.

But, enough bad news. The economy appears to be gradually recovering and people are starting to travel again. Wisconsin tourism could fare well in this recovery if it capitalizes on such travel trends as closer-to-home vacations and more value-conscious consumers. In addition to offering unique, beautiful and fun places to visit, Wisconsin is ideally situated near the large population bases of Chicago and the Minneapolis/St. Paul and has five million residents. In addition, Wisconsin's tourism product has long been considered to be a good value. It is vital for Wisconsin to take advantage of these trends and properly invest in tourism promotion. Michigan is the most recent example of how tourism promotion plays an important role in increasing tourism and government revenues. The state invested $30 million in a one-time national advertising campaign, about twice as much as it typically budgets for tourism promotion.

A recent study by Longwoods International found that the national Pure Michigan campaign motivated 680,000 new trips to Michigan from outside the Great Lakes region, at a time when travel and tourism was on a decline nationally due to the recession. Those visitors spent $250 million at Michigan businesses last summer as a direct result of the Travel Michigan advertising program. In addition, these new out-of-state visitors paid $17.5 million in state taxes while in Michigan, yielding a $2.23 return on investment for the tourism advertising. There is strong support in Wisconsin for investing in tourism promotion. A recent statewide public opinion survey showed that 93% of Wisconsin voters agree that "tourism is important to the Wisconsin economy and that 89% said "promoting tourism helps strengthen Wisconsin's economy."

Let's listen to our residents and invest more money in tourism promotion. The result will be more people vacationing and spending money in our great state at a time when we need the jobs and tax revenues tourism generates.

Past Tourism Tidbits