Milwaukee-area tourism spending hits $2.6B

Tourism spending in greater Milwaukee area in 2006 increased 7 percent to nearly $2.6 billion, the local convention bureau announced Sunday.

said tourism supported 64,020 jobs in 2006, up 6.3 percent from 60,223 in 2005, when spending topped $2.4 billion.

The bureau said the figures were reported in The Economic Impact of Expenditures by Travelers on the Greater Milwaukee Area, Calendar Year 2006, an annual tourism economic impact study conducted by The study focused on traveler expenditures in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties.

"Our investments in our tourism infrastructure, the success of our marketing efforts and positive word-of-mouth from our visitors are working together to generate a positive buzz about Milwaukee as a desirable destination," said Doug Neilson, president and CEO of Visit Milwaukee.

The bulk of the spending was divided among shopping, which accounted for $806 million, approximately one-third of traveler expenses; food, which resulted in $684 million in spending, or 27 percent of the total; and recreational spending of $608 million or 24 percent.

Lodging expenditures were $300 million, or 12 percent, and transportation spending was $179 million, or 7 percent. Hotel occupancy in Milwaukee County experienced a 2.6 percent bump from 2005, finishing at 63 percent.