(WTAQ-WLUK)– This week is National Travel and Tourism Week, and many Northeast Wisconsin events and organizations are expecting increased foot traffic this summer.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers traveled to the AriensCo Museum and Nordic Center in Calumet County to take a look around on Tuesday morning.
“Extraordinary; I mean look at this beautiful area that they have created here, it’s going to be very successful,” says Evers.
Director of Sales for AriensCo, Angela Jellum says they are expecting a significant increase in foot traffic this summer and into next winter.
“Everyone is hearing a lot about Brillion right now, with the all the new developments, and the Ariens Nordic Center and the Ariens Museum… People are so excited to get outdoors and see all the exciting things that are happening in Brillion right now,” says Jellum.
The Nordic Center is used all year round for things like hiking, running, youth camps, and concerts.
Tourism experts say that new research shows that just over 80% of Americans already have trips planned for this summer, and some of those could be right here to Northeast Wisconsin.
“Research is showing that inflation and people being cautious is definitely real, but the enthusiasm for travel still remains high, and that’s one thing that people will continue spending money on,” says Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau Marketing and Communications Manager, Maddie Jack.
Jack says many of the visitors we see in Northeast Wisconsin are people in the Midwest taking road trips.
“Mile of Music is definitely a big summer draw for us but even things like farm markets,” says Jack.
As for the Green Bay area, the 2022 total economic impact of meetings and conventions held was $75 million.
“As we’re looking forward to 2023 the summer time, into the beginning part of next year, we are expecting a very good year again, you know the Packers schedule always plays into that,” says President and CEO of Discover Green Bay, Brad Toll.
“We’re outperforming all of our neighboring states in the area for tourism as far as the money… At the end of the day I think tourism is going to continue to be one of our biggest economic drivers in the state of Wisconsin,” says Evers.
