THE POWER OF
TOURISM
presents
Tourism brings spending, jobs TOURISM SUPPORTED JOBS
$236.7 million
4,090 jobs
4,012 jobs
4,025 jobs
$108.6 million
$110.4 million
$$112.1 million
$27.1 million
$26.7 million
$$27 million
STATE AND LOCAL TAXES FROM TOURISM JOBS
$229.2 million
TOURISM JOBS INCOME
$232.3 million
VISITOR SPENDING
2015
2016
2017
2015
2016
2017
2015
2016
2017
2015
2016
2017
Wisconsin Department of Tourism, Tourism Economics, Longwoods International.
The ‘fun side’ of economic development By Dave Blank Real Racine President/CEO Tourism is the fun side of economic development! Visitors,
who
arrive
here to stay for a day, a weekend or a week, spend their money, have fun and return home. On any given day, an average of 1,500 people stay overnight in Racine County’s lodging facilities. They’re spending about $217,000 per day playing at our award-winning North Beach, visiting our museums, touring our spectacular Frank Lloyd Wright-designed buildings, enjoying live music or theater performances, dining in our fine restaurants, shopping or catching the “big ones” on a Lake Michigan charter fishing boat.
Events serve as a reason for visitors to come here
of this is the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. Last
for the first time. Among recent examples are the
year, we received a state Joint Effort Marketing (JEM)
Wisconsin Fall Tourism Conference, which brought
grant for the 2nd year of Open House Racine County
200 people to the Delta Hotels by Marriott last
and two Visitor Information Center operating grants
November, or a sports event like the American Junior
totaling $13,450. These grants helped offset a portion
Golf Association Preview tournament that saw 78 participants from 19 states and four countries (plus their parents and siblings) descend upon Meadowbrook Country Club for three days last May. Attendees will travel to wherever their event is held. Hopefully they
We’re pleased that 2017 was another great year for tourism in Racine County! Thousands of visitors
return on their own at a later date.
spent well over $200 million in the county. Whether they came by plane, automobile or bus, we did our
Although, events are what Real Racine is known for, we also brought in more than 100 group tours from
best to welcome, entertain and help them have fun in Racine County!
across the country to visit the numerous attractions in the Racine area in 2017. The sales effort for this type of market revolves around trade shows that are held throughout the country that attract suppliers (such as destinations, attractions and hotels) and buyers (such
assisted with 10 events that generated $2,167,230 in
as group tour companies, individual group leaders
visitor spending, according to the new Destinations
and bus companies). Usually the supplier (that’s
International Economic Impact Calculator. This is
us) has about seven minutes to inform prospective
NEW MONEY! This money would not have found its
buyers about their destination or facility. One of the
way to Racine County businesses if it weren’t for the
largest of these types of shows is the National Tour
events. Real Racine spent about $150,000 in bid fees,
Association convention that is coming to Milwaukee
operating costs and promotional expenses to make
this November.
INSIDE... P. 2. Bring your meeting here. P. 7. Cheap Thrills P. 8. POWER OF THE 2017-18 highlights
TOURISM
return on investment! It’s important to note that Real
We couldn’t do our job without partners, including
Racine makes no money directly from these events
local businesses, regional groups and national
(other than the room tax from the additional hotel
associations. In the tourism industry, we all work
rooms that are filled). It all goes to local businesses.
together for the common good. A wonderful example
presents
operating the Real Racine Visitor Center.
will be intrigued enough by the destination to want to
In 2017, Real Racine directly sponsored or
these events possible. That is a greater than 14 to 1
of the costs associated with producing the event and
P. 8. Meet our team