8 | Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau
CELEBRATING
NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK
WISCONSIN DELLS TOURISM
Commercial development soon followed and frequently centered on the stunning river scenery. During the 1930's and '40's, it wasn't unusual to see tourists and Native Americans line up to watch folks descend on the steamboats for a trip to the Stand Rock Indian Ceremonial. In 1946, the first WWII land-to-water vehicles known as Ducks started tours in Wisconsin Dells. In the 1950's, crowds were first treated to the famous Tommy Bartlett Show. Other attractions like Storybook Gardens and Fort Dells entertained thousands in the following decades, the precursor to the Dells as we know it today. toda
200+ Waterslides • 16+Million Gallons of Water 90+ Attractions • 100+ Restaurants 3,200 Campsites • 8,000+ Hotel Rooms 5,600 Meetings/Conventions hosted • 107,000+ Athletes hosted Visitors still enjoy the same stunning scenery along the Wisconsin River that established Wisconsin Dells as a vacation destination over 160 years ago, only now they can do so in a variety of ways. Today, they can tour the river aboard a tour boat, amphibious Duck, paddlewheel, jet boat, kayak or even stand-up paddleboard. But the river isn’t the only draw for visitors today. toda The current stage of tourism in the area was shaped by the outdoor and indoor waterpark development over the past two decades. Known as the "Waterpark Capital of the World!®" since 2005, the community (with a year-round population just over 5,500) reported estimated visitor expenditures of $1.XX billion in 2017.
CELEBRATING NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK WISC DELLS, WI 53965 MADISON, WI PERMIT NO. 12 PERMIT NO. 1723
In the mid 1800’s, photos taken by H.H. Bennett, known as "the man who made Wisconsin Dells famous," could be seen by those traveling by railroad from Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago. The mystical images of the towering bluffs and swirling Wisconsin River, along with the famous one of his son Ashley jumping the chasm at Stand Rock, were what drew the first tourists to the area, and ultimately gave Wisconsin Dells new life as a vacation destination.
“The Waterpark Capital of the World!®” PRSRT STD
In 1856, the town was incorporated as Kilbourn City, but the name would only last until 1931. Locals and tourists alike were already referring to the area as Wisconsin Dells, with "Wisconsin" derived from the Native American word meaning "dark rushing waters," and "Dells" mimicking the French word "dalles" that means "layers of flat rock" to describe the bluff rock formations. The then local newspaper, the Wisconsin Mirror, offered a most accurate prophecy of the future of Wisconsin Dells tourism when it concluded in 1856 that "the wild, romantic scenery of the 'Dells' will always make them a place of resort for seekers of pleasure."
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We are excited to take part in the celebration of the 35th annual National Travel and Tourism Week which unites communities across the country to celebrate what travel means to American jobs, economic growth and personal well-being. Locally we are celebrating what travel means to our community—since the first images of the Wisconsin River enticed visitors to the area over 160 years ago to the present day. We’re calling on everyone—from elected officials to local residents—to join us in saluting this important industry, and to support travel-friendly legislation that grows our local, state and national economies. The theme of this year’s year National Travel and Tourism Week, “Travel Then and Now,” highlights the travel industry’s history of economic impact in every corner of America, and its enduring ethos of welcoming travelers from near and far. Wisconsin Dells is the perfect example of just that.
About the Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau
The area continues to gain national recognition as a premier vacation destination, as well as enjoying success in the meetings and convention and youth sports markets. Tourism works in Wisconsin Dells.
4+ Million Annual Visitors = 1+ Billion Smiles
- Romy Snyder, Executive Director
More than 160 years ago, the first visitors traveled by train to see the magnificent scenery captured in the images of pioneering landscape photographer H.H. Bennett, the likes of which they had never before seen. Today, our tourism pedigree beckons travelers from around the country to experience this place where natural resources and manmade fun seamlessly meet and mingle. You might say there are not only more waterparks here per capita than anywhere else in the world, but also more entrepreneurs. Local families, many in second and third generation, welcome visitors to their attractions, shops, restaurants and resorts, and visitors feel the genuine warmth of that welcome season after season. Wisconsin Dells is the very essence of a great tourism community. The exceptional growth in annual economic impact is yet another reason why there is no other place on the planet quite like Wisconsin Dells…how lucky for visitors, business owners, employees and residents!
Give the Gift of Wisconsin Dells!
INSIDE: The WDVCB is the official destination marketing organization for the Wisconsin Dells area whose mission is to grow the economic impact of tourism through marketing, public relations and development efforts that benefit our visitors and members.
# L ove t h e D e l l s
Our vision is to secure the Wisconsin Dells area as a national year-round tourism destination by providing visitors with a unique and diverse recreational experience unsurpassed in quality, which offers the WDVCB membership and staff a framework for growth and economic opportunity.
Tourism Spending Increases in Wisconsin Dells Economic Impact of Tourism Benefits of Tourism to the Wisconsin Dells Area Wisconsin Dells Past & Present