Tourism Continues to Increase in Packer Country
Latest figures put travel spending at $636 million

GREEN BAY , Wis.
May 16, 2006

Green Bay, WI – The impact of tourism remains strong in Northeast Wisconsin. Recently released survey findings indicate that Packer Country tourism expenditures in 2005 increased by 2.7% over the final figures from 2004. Spending by visitors to Brown, Kewaunee and Manitowoc Counties, all communities promoted by the Packer Country Visitor and Convention Bureau, topped $636 million last year.

Packer Country Visitor & Convention Bureau President & CEO Kari Sliva and Wisconsin Tourism Secretary Jim Holperin reported on the latest tourism figures today during the annual Packer Country Tourism Luncheon.

“People are coming to Packer Country for many different reasons,” Sliva said. “The area is a regional hub for headline entertainment at the Resch Center, Meyer Theater and Oneida Casino. We’ve also done a tremendous job increasing convention and meeting business at locations like the KI Convention Center, Lambeau Field Atrium and the Radisson Hotel and Convention Center.”

Travelers to the three-county region spent $636 million on lodging, shopping, recreation, dining, and transportation, putting tourism among the top three industries in the area. Approximately 15,000 people are employed in the tourism industry on a full-time basis.

Other survey statistics indicate that:

• Summer is the top season for tourism, accounting for nearly $206 million, or 32% of the total. Fall spending was $175 million (28%), Spring spending totaled $131 million (21%) and Winter tourism topped $123 million (19%).
  
• The majority of overnight travelers were from
  Wisconsin (63%)
  
• Pleasure travel topped the travel purposes at 39%. 38% visited the area for business reasons and 23% attended meetings or conventions in the area.

The travel expenditure statistics in Wisconsin were compiled by Davidson-Peterson Associates of Kennebunk, Maine.

Hotel-motel room tax revenue also increased in 2005. The 2% increase to nearly $3.7 million is another indication of increasing tourism in Packer Country.

Sliva also urged hospitality businesses to collectively dispel the notion that gas prices are affecting people’s vacation decisions. She pointed to a recent study by the National Travel Monitor showing that 71% of people surveyed will take as many or more vacations than they did last year. Only four percent indicated that high gas prices would even affect their decision to take fewer trips.

“Vacations are practically considered a birthright in America. People are not going to stop taking vacations when it’s only costing them on average an extra $23.10 for a 600-mile trip.” Sliva said. “They may shorten their trip and spend less on something else, but since most people who visit Packer Country are from our own state, gas prices should have little if any effect on their decision to vacation here.”

During his presentation, Holperin agreed, and added that transportation accounts for less than 7% of the total cost of a family trip. He cited the cooperative efforts of the state tourism department and tourism organizations like Packer Country. In response to heightened concerns about high gas prices, the tourism department developed the Wisconsin Gas Beater Getaway program that features 30 state getaways with full itineraries, dining and lodging for a family of four at a cost of less than $228. The promotion demonstrates the high value that visitors receive when touring Wisconsin.

Two Packer Country area Gas Beater Getaways are included on the state Department of Tourism’s Web site at www.travelwisconsin.com. The Lakeshore Gas Beater Getaway includes a stay at the Village Inn on the Lake, visits to Woodland Dunes Nature Center and Rogers Street Fishing Village, mini-golf, and stops at the Historic Washington House and Waverly Inn Pub & Pizzeria. The Green Bay Getaway includes visits to the Northeastern Wisconsin Zoo, Neville Public Museum and Oneida Nation Museum, bowling, lunch at Perry’s Cherry Diner, a hike on the Fox River Trail, dinner at Margarita’s and lodging at Super 8.

For more information on Packer Country Visitor & Convention Bureau and area events, visit www.packercountry.com.

###

Packer Country Visitor & Convention Bureau is the regional destination marketing organization committed to improving the visitor experience and increasing the economic impact of tourism to its communities. For more information call 888-867-3342 or visit us online at www.packercountry.com.