Welcome to Wisconsin. Y’all come back now hear?

Welcome to Wisconsin. Millions of people saw those signs as they made their way into the Badger state to visit. 2023 was a record year for tourism in Wisconsin. Wisconsin welcomed 113 million visitors last year, generating a record $25 billion in tourism related spending. Those are some impressive numbers. Of course, Wisconsin has a lot to offer, from cheese to waterparks to natural beauty to championship sports teams. Door County has long been a favorite vacation spot for my family, going back about 35 years. Last year for the first time I vacationed in Waupaca on the Chain O’ Lakes which was a relaxing getaway. When my kids were little, we would make a trip to the Dells each summer to splash in the waterparks, and no summer is complete without taking in a Brewers game. Tens of thousands of people make their way to Oktoberfest in La Crosse each fall, contributing significantly to the local economy.  La Crosse County saw an increase in tourism spending in 2023, as did every other Wisconsin county. The tourism industry supported more than 178,000 jobs in the state and generated $1.6 billion in state and local tax revenue. Clearly, tourism is big business, and Wisconsin is doing a good job cashing in.