St. Croix Economic Development Corporation: 2013 traveler spending up in the greater St. Croix valley

Contact: Bill Rubin/Nita Dusek, St. Croix EDC, 715-381-4383

2013 traveler spending in St. Croix County increased 8.48 percent to $87.85 million according to an annual analysis released May 2nd by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. The $87.85 million from travelers resulted in total business sales of $148.66 million in the county, reflecting a 6.59 percent increase from 2012. This spending supported an estimated 1,688 jobs (+3.49 percent from 2012) in St. Croix and generated $11.25 million in state and local tax revenues (+6.72 percent from 2012).

Statewide, travelers spent an estimated $10.84 billion in 2013, a 4.33 percent increase from 2011. Total business sales from tourists were estimated at $17.52 billion (+4.34 percent from 2012). Tourism and traveler-supported employment in Wisconsin in 2013 was estimated at 185,495 jobs (+0.93 percent from 2012). Tourism provided the state with tax revenues of $1.349 billion in 2013 (+2.83 percent increase

from 2012).

St. Croix, Polk, Pierce, and Dunn counties comprise the Greater St. Croix Valley. Visitor spending in 2013 for the 4-county region was estimated at $231.65 million compared to $221.8 million in 2012 (+4.45 percent increase). Visitor and traveler spending in Polk for 2013 increased to $76.42 million (+4.21 percent from 2012). Spending in Dunn County increased 3.98 percent to $42.66 million. Pierce County had a 6.68 percent decline to $24.7 million, after a 13.43 percent increase from 2011 to 2012. Because of the Greater St. Croix Valley’s proximity to the 13-county Twin Cities metro area, many visitors enjoy day trips to the Valley and return to their homes without incurring expenses on lodging. Overnight stays would increase traveler spending in the Great St. Croix Valley.

Total business sales from travelers and visitors to the Greater St. Croix Valley in 2013 was estimated at $381.52 million compared to $366.2 million in 2012 (+4.18 percent increase). Business sales in St. Croix were estimated at $148.44 million (+6.59 percent from 2012), followed by $113.96 million in Polk (+4.09 percent from 2012), $73.59 million in Dunn (+4.22

percent increase from 2012), and $45.53 million in Pierce (-2.25 percent decline from 2012).

Tourism-related employment in the Greater St. Croix Valley for 2013 was estimated at 3,978 jobs (+2.5 percent increase from 2012). In addition to the estimated 1,688 jobs in St. Croix, there were 1,045 in Polk (+3.0 percent from 2012); 836 in Dunn (0.4 percent increase); and 409 in Pierce (+1.95 percent increase).

State and local tax revenues attributable to visitors and travelers in the Greater St. Croix Valley in 2013 were estimated at $28.03 million (+4.2 percent increase from 2012). Tax revenues in St. Croix were estimated at $11.25 million; followed by Polk with $8.22 million; Dunn with $5.62 million; and Pierce at $2.94 million.

Milwaukee is the state’s top county for visitor spending estimated at $1.69 billion. The other counties in the Top 10 include Dane ($1.04 billion in visitor spending); Sauk ($888 million); Waukesha ($631 million); Brown ($557 million); Walworth ($477 million); Door ($299 million); Outagamie ($300 million); Marathon ($228 million); and Winnebago ($219 million).

Tourism is one of Wisconsin’s top three industries along with manufacturing and agriculture.

For additional information, or to read the 2013 Economic Impact of Tourism in Wisconsin, go to http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/newsroom/press-releases and select “Wisconsin Tourism Industry Continues Growth in 2013”.

Source: Wisconsin Department of Tourism, Tourism Economics, St. Croix Economic Development Corp.