MEDIA CONTACT:
Danielle Johnson, Wisconsin Department of Tourism
608-266-0458; djohnson@travelwisconsin.com
MADISON, Wis. (Sept. 15, 2011) – The tourism business is looking up in Southwest Wisconsin and State Department of Tourism officials got a first-hand chance to see why. Representative Howard Marklein helped guide Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett and several tourism staff members through top visitor spots in Wisconsin State Assembly District 51, which includes Mineral Point, Shullsburg and Monroe.
“What a tremendous opportunity to see all of the exciting tourism development and promotional efforts taking place in this corner of our state,” Secretary Klett said. “The tourism industry here is doing great things to grow and promote the area and it’s clearly having a positive impact as more travelers from places like Northern Illinois and Iowa are discovering the area.”
Allen Schroeder, Site Director for Pendarvis Historic Site, says they’ve seen a 48% increase in attendance at the popular attraction which is now offering individual tours in addition to group tours.
A tour of Monroe included a stop at the Monroe Arts Center, where Tourism Secretary Klett learned about the capital campaign to raise money for a new addition, which will make the Arts Center a focal point for the community and what Theater Guild representatives are doing to position the town as an arts destination by utilizing their space for a variety of functions.
White Hill Cheese, the Main Street shopping district and The Brewster Restaurant in Shullsburg offered the tourism team a unique opportunity to experience great shopping and world-class food delivered with small town warmth and charm. The team also learned about opportunities in the works to create an even bigger visitor draw as talks are in the works with the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians to develop area infrastructure.
Other stops on the tour included Hanler’s Store and Risken Lee Stores in Shullsburg and Minhas Craft Brewery and Baumgartner’s Tavern in Monroe.
The mission of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism is to market the state as the Midwest’s premier travel destination by executing industry-leading marketing programs and establishing strategic partnerships. The Department plays a significant role in generating greater economic impact and jobs for Wisconsin. The portal for traveler information can be found at http://www.travelwisconsin.com.
