Wisconsin Dells Economic Impact Report
Seems we're on a roll in Wisconsin Dells. Traveler spending data for 2010 is out and we're up nearly 3% for the year. Even sweeter was that, with each passing season, the numbers got better and better. Can't help but think our ranking as the #1 Family Vacation Destination in the U.S. in the 2010 Travelers' Choice Awards from TripAdvisor.com had a little something to do with it. In the end, though, it's the ingenuity and hospitality of our local business owners that keeps Wisconsin Dells at the top of the leader board.
Good News All Around in the Waterpark Capital
(May 2010) It didn’t take long for Wisconsin Dells’ tourism economy to make up the lion’s share of ground lost during the recession. Economic impact numbers released by the community show tourism up 2.8% in 2010, putting overall traveler spending at nearly even with pre-recession numbers from 2008. Overall estimated traveler expenditures tallied up to $1.057 billion mark with Wisconsin Dells topping the $1 billion mark for the fourth year running.
Here are a few headlines behind the numbers:
- With each passing season, the economic impact of tourism showed improvement, seemingly a reflection of consumers’ concerns over the recession easing as the year progressed.
- The highest percentage of growth came during the fall, at +6.3%. Fully one-quarter of the nearly three million visitors to Wisconsin Dells are traveling to the community without children, with fall being a popular season for these empty-nesters, young couples and groups of friends, according to research conducted by the Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau.
- Summer remains the choice season for travel to Wisconsin Dells, accounting for 48% of annual traveler expenditures in the area.
- Wisconsin Dells is not only “The Waterpark Capital of the World!®,” it is now one of the top vacation destinations in the country according to TripAdvisor.com’s annual Traveler’s Choice rankings. In 2010, it was ranked #1 in the U.S in TripAdvisor’s “favorite family vacation destination” category, beating out popular destinations in Florida and California. Then, in March 2011, it showed up as #2 in the Travelers’ Choice rankings for “favorite family amusement park destination.” The rankings are based on millions of real and unbiased reviews and opinions from travelers around the world.
Looking ahead to summer, the community is optimistic the positive trend set in 2010 will continue. Historically, even higher gas prices have not significantly impacted the area as a visitor destination. Wisconsin Dells is an easy drive from anywhere in the Midwest and that, coupled with the good value delivered and the tried-and-true family vacation experience, the entire community looking forward to a solid summer.
The economic impact numbers are compiled each year by national research firm Davidson-Peterson Associates of Maine, whose expertise in tracking and studying the economic impact of tourism is well established. The firm has been using the same methodology for nearly 20 years in compiling reports for the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. To arrive at the numbers, they conduct both face-to-face and phone interviews.
For a full copy of the report, email us at pr@wisdells.com or view online.
Research completed by Davidson-Peterson Associates
A Division of Digital Research, Inc.
201 Lafayette Center
Kennebunk, Maine 04043
