Visitor spending sees year-over-year gain of $92 million, setting records in all 5 spending categories
Direct visitor spending in the Fox Cities skyrocketed to a record-breaking $558 million in 2022, up 20% over 2021. This spending pushed the total economic impact of tourism in the Fox Cities to $729 million.
Spending directly supported 4,879 jobs in the Fox Cities tourism industry with employee income of $141 million. State and local tax revenue generated by visitation to the Fox Cities totaled $62 million, a 12% increase over 2021.
“Tourism’s contribution to the Fox Cities’ economy is significant and impacts many sectors,” said Pam Seidl, executive director of the Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau (FCCVB). “We’re thrilled to see our industry’s year-over-year growth.
Visitor spending is tracked across five categories: lodging, food and beverage, retail, recreation and entertainment, and transportation. Spending in all five categories was the highest on record since Tourism Economics began compiling this data in 2011. Lodging led the growth with a year-over-year increase of 34.5% to $122.5 million. Food and beverage showed the highest spend at $165 million. The remaining spend totaled $119 million in retail, $83 million in recreation and entertainment, and $69 million in transportation.
“It’s great to see spending growth across all five sectors.” said marketing communications manager Maddie Jack. “While much of transportation growth was driven by higher gasoline prices, recreational jumps have been driven by visitor interest in activity and entertainment options as they travel.”
The state of Wisconsin posted a record-breaking year as well with the total economic impact of tourism rising to $23.7 billion in 2022. The highest-ever overnight visitation helped fuel the growth. Statewide tourism supported more than 174,623 jobs and generated $1.5 billion in state and local tax revenues.
Annually, the FCCVB commissions a custom local impact report from a study conducted for the State of Wisconsin by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company. Local spending data covers the 19 communities served by the FCCVB –Appleton, Kaukauna, Menasha, Neenah, Combined Locks, Fox Crossing, Harrison, Hortonville, Kimberly, Little Chute, Sherwood, Buchanan, Clayton, Freedom, Grand Chute, Greenville, Vandenbroek, Woodville and Town of Neenah.
The Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau strengthens the local economy by investing in and promoting our community. In the Fox Cities, which includes 19 communities, visitor spending totaled approximately $558 million in 2022. This direct spending supported more than 4,879 jobs and $141 million in income for Fox Cities residents. www.foxcities.org
