Wisconsin Department of Tourism

Last updated
Wisconsin Department of Tourism
Seal of Wisconsin.svg
Agency overview
FormedDecember 24, 1995;29 years ago (1995-12-24)
Preceding agency
  • Division of Tourism (1975–1995)
Jurisdiction Wisconsin
Headquarters3319 W Beltline Hwy Madison, Wisconsin
43°02′6.617″N89°25′48.358″W / 43.03517139°N 89.43009944°W / 43.03517139; -89.43009944
Employees34
Annual budget$36,334,300 (2021) [1]
Agency executive
Website TravelWisconsin.com

The Wisconsin Department of Tourism is a governmental agency of the U.S. state of Wisconsin responsible for marketing and promoting the state as a travel destination. [3] The Department is led by a secretary appointed by the governor of Wisconsin with the advice and consent of the Wisconsin Senate. The current secretary is Anne Sayers, who was appointed by Governor Tony Evers in December 2020. [4]

Contents

History

State tourism promotion originated as a project of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to encourage travel to state parks and commercial recreational properties. This project was transferred from the DNR to the Wisconsin Department of Business Development in 1975, and formally created as the Division of Tourism in that department under Act 39 of 1975. The Wisconsin Department of Business Development was succeeded by the Wisconsin Department of Development in 1979, after merging with the Department of Local Affairs and Development. The Division of Tourism was separated from Development and promoted to become the current Department of Tourism in 1995, with 1995 Wisconsin Act 27. [5]

In its present configuration, the Department of Tourism has several attached specialty boards and councils, including the Council on Tourism, the Wisconsin Arts Board, the Kickapoo Reserve Management Board, and the Wisconsin State Fair Park Board. [6]

Overview

A primary tool that the department uses to fulfill its mission and duties is maintaining its official web site, TravelWisconsin.com, which contains a wide variety of information, including access to reservations at various amenities. Although the department has had the site since 1996, a major update occurred in 2001 as part of a strategic re-prioritization of information technology. [7]

Tourism is a huge economic driver in Wisconsin. In 2018, the industry had a $21.6 billion impact on the state with more than 112 million visitors. Additionally, tourism in 2018 generated $1.6 billion in state and local revenue and $1.2 billion in federal taxes and supported 199,073 jobs in the state of Wisconsin. [8] In 2021, Wisconsin tourism had a $20.9 billion total economic impact and supported more than 169,000 full and part-time jobs.

Although a department of tourism was called for by leaders as early as 1967, [9] prior to 1995 state sponsored tourism promotion was performed as a division of other departments. [10] The department began operations on December 24, 1995, under its first secretary Richard "Moose" Speros. [11]

Tourism grant programs

The Wisconsin Department of Tourism invests heavily in ventures around the state through grant programs. [12]

Attached boards

Four boards are attached to the Department of Tourism: [10]

Past secretaries

Secretaries (1995–present)

SecretaryTook officeLeft officeNotes
Richard SperosDecember 24, 1995January 6, 2003Appointed by Tommy Thompson
Kevin Shibilski January 6, 2003May 2, 2003Appointed by Jim Doyle
Jim Holperin May 12, 2003January 7, 2007Appointed by Jim Doyle
Kelli A. TrumbleJanuary 7, 2007January 3, 2011Appointed by Jim Doyle
Stephanie Klett January 3, 2011January 7, 2019Appointed by Scott Walker
Sara MeaneyJanuary 7, 2019December 1, 2020Appointed by Tony Evers
Anne SayersDecember 1, 2020CurrentAppointed by Tony Evers

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Executive Branch" (PDF). Wisconsin Blue Book 2021–2022 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. 2021. pp. 239–242. ISBN   978-1-7333817-1-0 . Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Secretary-designee Anne Sayers". Travel Wisconsin. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Department of Tourism". Office of the Governor - Scott Walker. Retrieved April 6, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Secretary Anne Sayers". Travel Wisconsin. Wisconsin Department of Tourism.
  5. ↑ Barish, Lawrence S.; Lemanski, Lynn, eds. (2007). "Executive Branch (S-Z)" (PDF). State of Wisconsin 2007–2008 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 514–520. ISBN   978-0-9752820-2-1 . Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  6. ↑ "The Executive" (PDF). Wisconsin Blue Book 2023–2025 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. 2023. pp. 230–233. ISBN   978-1-7333817-2-7 . Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  7. ↑ Jones, Meg (March 16, 2001). "State updates tourism Web site". Milwaukee Journal. Milwaukee, WI. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  8. ↑ "The Power of Tourism | Travel Wisconsin". TravelWisconsin. Retrieved 2019-07-01.
  9. ↑ "Campaign Funds 'Debated', by Lucey, Governor's Aide". The Daily Telegram. Eau Claire, WI. October 5, 1966. Retrieved April 6, 2015.
  10. 1 2 "Wisconsin Statutes - Chapter 15". Wisconsin Legislature. Retrieved April 6, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Speros will head Tourism Department". Milwaukee Journal. Milwaukee, WI. November 29, 1995. Retrieved April 6, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Grants | Travel Wisconsin". TravelWisconsin. Retrieved 2019-07-01.
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