BAYFIELD, WI (KDAL) – Last year was a record breaking year for tourism in Wisconsin.
In 2022, the tourism industry generated 23.7 billion dollars in economic impact across the state topping the previous record of 22.2 billion in 2019.
All 72 counties in the state experienced an increase and Bayfield County surpassed their record with 89 million dollars, a 24 percent increase from 2019 impact figures.
Tourism is the largest industry in Bayfield County supporting more than 1 in 5 jobs.
County Tourism Director, Mary Motiff, says without the flow of tourism dollars, the small population would not be able to support the shops, restaurants and other businesses that improve everyone’s quality of life.
In Douglas County, the economic impact of tourism last year was 166 million dollars, up from 149 million in 2021.
