Packer Country Bureau Releases 2006 Travel Spending Figures

Green Bay, Wis.
May 17, 2007

Green Bay, WI – The impact of tourism remains strong in Northeast Wisconsin. Recently released survey findings indicate that Brown County tourism expenditures in 2006 increased by 8.7% over the final figures from 2005. Spending by visitors to Brown County topped $517 million last year.

Packer Country Visitor and Convention Bureau President and CEO Brad Toll reported on the latest tourism figures today during the annual Packer Country Tourism Luncheon.

“Our community hosted a record-setting 532 meetings and conventions.  More than 6,000 Harley Davidson owners roared into town in August, the Badger men's hockey team took the ice at Lambeau Field in February and again at Resch Center at the NCAA Regional in March.  The Tall Ships sailed into Green Bay in July and the Lake States Logging Congress filled our community in September,” said Toll. “There's no question about it, 2006 was a great year for Packer Country.

Travelers to Packer Country spent their dollars on shopping, recreation, dining, lodging and transportation. 12,000 full-time equivalent jobs are supported by the Brown County tourism industry. Other survey statistics indicate that:

• Summer is the top season for tourism, accounting for $158 million, or 31% of the total. Fall spending was $140 million (27%), Spring spending totaled $110 million (21%) and Winter tourism topped $108 million (21%).
• Pleasure travel topped the travel purposes at 37%. Travelers visited 36% of the time for business reasons and 27% attended meetings or conventions in the area.
• There were 1.5 million people that stayed overnight in Packer Country, an increase over the 1.43 million in 2005.

The travel expenditure statistics in Wisconsin were compiled by Davidson-Peterson Associates of Kennebunk, Maine in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.

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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.