Wisconsin State Journal, 05.13.09
Wisconsin tourism officials were derided this spring for their new state promotional slogan: "Live like you mean it."
Travelers spent $13.1 billion in Wisconsin last year --a 2.7 percent increase -- despite the recession, terrible flooding and $4-a-gallon gasoline. Factor in harsh weather that wiped out most of Door County's cherry crop, and those are impressive numbers.
The jump was even higher in Dane County. Visitors to the Madison area spent $1.2 billion last year -- a 4.5 percent increase, according to the study by Davidson-Peterson Associates of Kennebunkport, Maine.
Wisconsin tourism officials were derided this spring for their new state promotional slogan: "Live like you mean it."
Travelers spent $13.1 billion in Wisconsin last year --a 2.7 percent increase -- despite the recession, terrible flooding and $4-a-gallon gasoline. Factor in harsh weather that wiped out most of Door County's cherry crop, and those are impressive numbers.
The jump was even higher in Dane County. Visitors to the Madison area spent $1.2 billion last year -- a 4.5 percent increase, according to the study by Davidson-Peterson Associates of Kennebunkport, Maine.