Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce Newsletter September | Page 10

NEWS RELEASE July 30, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: John Hendricks, Executive Director Office: [phone] E-mail: [email protected] TOURISM IN WISCONSIN TOPS $20.6 BILLION IN 2017 Monroe County Visitor Spending Up Nearly 4% Sparta, WI – For the travelers that helped Wisconsin achieve a $631 million increase in tourism economic impact in 2017, it’s all about the fun and memories. For the state’s tourism industry, it’s big business. And for taxpayers and residents, it’s all about jobs and tax revenue those visitors generate. A study conducted by Tourism Economics shows the impact of tourism on the state’s economy reached $20.6 billion in 2017, an increase of 3.2 percent from the previous year and a nearly 40% increase since 2011. Travelers to Monroe County spent $126.6 million in 2017, up 3.94% over 2016, exceeding the state’s overall increase for the year. In Sparta, much of that spending can be traced to the continuing popularity of the Elroy-Sparta and La Crosse River State Trails, as well as our local festivals and events. The increasing popularity of fishing the area’s excellent rivers and streams is also an important factor. The Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce and our local Tourism Council are proud to contribute to this growth through aggressive social media; participation in tourism and recreation expos in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois; advertising in tourism publications; billboards; and sponsorship and support of events that promote our area. “Tourism plays a critical role in our community and continues to grow,” said John Hendricks, Director of the Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce. “Last year’s numbers are very encouraging and this summer’s activity appears to indicate continued growth.” “It’s a tremendous credit to the tourism industry in all 72 counties and the work they do to create fun vacation experiences, market their destinations, and provide great customer service that makes travelers want to return to Wisconsin each year,” Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett said. The Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to fostering community prosperity and improving the quality of life through cooperation, promotion, education and active leadership, as well as enhancing economic benefits and providing networking opportunities for members. Our Mission: “Welcoming Businesses, Unifying the Community, Creating Possibilities” For more information on the Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce’s services, activities, and programs, please visit: http://www.bikesparta.com/ or call [phone]. ###