AS TOURISM GOES, SO GOES WISCONSIN'S ECONOMY
Wisconsin is a beautiful state, and because it's beautiful tourism is a big industry here _ as in, $13 billion a year big. Employment rates here go up every summer as seasonal employment peaks, and around this time of year they begin to decline again.
The tourism industry here, and its multibillion-dollar impact, includes the performance of everything from camps grounds and hotels to trinket shops and restaurants. While final economic tallies will not be complete until next year, based on reporting and preliminary data, it appears that the recession's toll on Wisconsin's tourism industry has not been uniform.
Folks still traveled this year, but they spent less. Though many still took vacations up north or in Door County, they may have been less likely to make the extra purchases _ souvenirs, meals and such _ that in another year might have come more easily.
If tourism spending was down in 2009, the effect of that will be felt in government coffers. And officials from the state level down to local municipalities will have to look for ways to aid the tourism industry in coming years _ and businesses in the tourism industry, just like in other sectors, will need to look to creative solutions.
It's still possible that 2009 might not be an economic disaster for the tourism sector. If we have another winter like last year's, with plenty of snow all season, the entire sector will be buoyed by skiers, snowmobilers and other winter-sports enthusiasts. Summer may be peak time for tourism, but many people wait until the snow falls to head north.
Of course, there's not much businesses or government officials can do to influence the weather _ though they can capitalize on favorable conditions if they occur. And as with many parts of the economy, psychology always plays a role. Most people experienced the recession most deeply in early 2009. If there is a sense that things are improving, our behavior may begin to change once again in coming months.
Wausau, and especially the Northwoods above us, depends on tourism dollars. This economic sector is one of the state's most varied, and that means there's no one-size-fits all approach to ensuring its health. We'd be surprised if spending increased this year, and we can expect to feel implications of that still to come.
We can't do much about that now _ except maybe pray for snow. _ WAUSAU DAILY HERALD.
