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That’s because the state is a “great value” and is “an easy drive” from its core markets of Wisconsin, the Twin Cities and northern Illinois, she said at a press conference before her keynote speech at the La Crosse Area Convention & Visitors Bureau annual meeting. About 200 people attended the meeting at the Radisson Hotel.
“One thing is for certain,” Trumble told reporters. “That is getting away, taking some kind of vacation, is almost non-negotiable in consumers’ lifestyles today. People look for that getaway, to get away from the stresses of every day life.”
In 2007, she said in her keynote speech, “Despite the economic challenges facing our country, we were able to solidly protect our share of tourism revenue.”
The Wisconsin Department of Tourism said Saturday that an annual study done for the agency found travelers spent an estimated $12.78 billion statewide in 2007, down 0.04 percent from $12.83 billion in 2006.
With increasingly difficult economic times and gas prices peaking, Trumble said, it’s more important than ever for tourism-related businesses to provide excellent service.
She noted that Gov. Jim Doyle in March announced a branding initiative to promote the state as a good place for vacations. Slogans and advertisements will be developed, promoting the idea that originality rules in Wisconsin.
Trumble told reporters that travelers spent $211.1 million in La Crosse County in 2007. That was down 1 percent from $213.3 million in 2006.
“I think part of it was maybe the number of travelers was the same, but their spending was a little bit less because their dollar was a little tighter,” LACVB Executive Director Dave Clements said in an interview. “A few of them maybe stayed one night less, or maybe they were a day tripper instead of an overnight stay. But it’s not a number that scares us, based on the fact that the economy is in the state it’s in.
“Our businesses all seem to be flourishing and doing well,” Clements said. “Down 1 percent is obviously not where you would like to be, but given the state of things, we understand. That’s a number we can live with.”
AWARDS PRESENTED
Awards presented at Wednesday’s La Crosse Area Convention & Visitors Bureau annual meeting included:
Tourism Business of the Year: Logistics Health Inc.
Tourism Volunteer of the Year: Sonna Kopp of the city’s Municipal Transit Utility.
Partnering Award: La Crosse County. Brian Fukuda, Karl Green and Dennis Osgood of the county were recognized individually.
Appreciation Awards: Jon Reynolds, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association and Executive Director Doug Chickering, Tim Quillin, Tolly Hegge and Patti Stellmaker.
Steve Cahalan can be reached at (608) 791-8229 or scahalan@lacrossetribune.com.
