Native Wisconsinites account for over 92% of WI Tourism (Manitowoc, Two Rivers: home, to buy)

[Tao111]

A local TV show ("Due North") recently had a segment about Wisconsin tourism and reported that Wisconsin natives account for about 92% of all tourism revenue in our state. Also adding that not many other states enjoy the resources of their own state quite like Wisconsites do. About a year ago there was a post here that had Illinois tourists placed next at 6% and the rest was other states..Minn, Mich, Missouri, Iowa. They went on to talk about the hunting culture in WI which was pretty interesting.

So I'd like to ask the Wisconsin residents here, what natural resources or tourist attractions does your family spend time at?

[Igor and sven]

Not too surprised even if the stat seems a bit high.Wisconsin diehards would just as soon go ice fishing, skiing, sledding, than fly someplace warm in the winter. Not that we are not well traveled.Nicolet National Forest is beautiful to camp in the fall and we go every year.The Dells once or twice a summer. Also a big fan of skiing at Devil's Head. Family traditions

[Igor and sven]

I knew that sounded high. But perhaps local tourism rose substantially the last couple years because of the cruddy economy. People are taking more road trips near home maybe? The numbers I found are from 2007 and are for campers with 75% being Wisconsin residents with Illinois being next at 11%. The demographics for resorts and overall tourism in WI are similar with 60% of all tourism being done by Wisconsin residents with the rest being other states. Here are the camping and tourism links...

Profile of Wisconsin s Campers In conjunction with Wisconsin

http://74.125.93.132/search?q=cache:sUSMmLBT7DMJ:www.tourism.umn.edu/research/niche/Wisconsin%2520Tourism%2520Facts042109.doc+Wisconsi n+tourism+demographics&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us (broken link)

[ImaloneJill]

I think California is another one of those states that people who live there take full advantage of.

The reason my husband and I decided on Wisconsin as a place to buy property and eventually retire on is that we could spend the next 15 years getting to know all the area there and not tire of it.
Of course, loving all things outdoors helps, too. (Oh, and a good beer.)

[susancruzs]

Driving through and stopping at Point Beach State Forest every week (usually more than once), I'd say those are accurate figures.

I see other plates, but mostly Illinois, Iowa, Mich., Minn. but majority Wisconsin. Point Beach is very popular through Halloween and this year even November. Almost all sites are always booked (127) and I look close because I like to see the different type of campers, tents, etc.!

Two yrs. ago I chose Two Rivers because of the proximity to the lake, beaches, parks. I drive to Door County to Potawatomi and Dunes State parks also the Robert LaSalle County park on the way up. I go to the Fischer Creek recreation area (being developed), Woodland Dunes, Kohler Andrae, any public beach I can find on Lake Michigan. I get to parks people I talk to have never been. I've also been to Horicon marsh and Kettle Morraine this year.

I support the Manitowoc zoo, too, I go there almost every week. One place I haven't been is the Buried Forest at Two Creeks, I'm afraid if I get down the bluff I may not be able to get back up! Of course, I'm retired so I have the time to go plus I love to walk! I collect rocks at various beaches, not state parks.

[Tao111]

All those places are nice..been to most of them. White Deer Lake is a favorite of mine. Prettiest area in Wisconsin IMO. Not alot of tourists blasting their music and walking across your campsite. Large group sites, great hiking, and lots of beautiful scenery. Never fished there yet, but soon.

[JoshB]

Originally Posted by Tao111

All those places are nice..been to most of them. White Deer Lake is a favorite of mine. Prettiest area in Wisconsin IMO. Not alot of tourists blasting their music and walking across your campsite. Large group sites, great hiking, and lots of beautiful scenery. Never fished there yet, but soon.

Is White deer lake a state park or something? Where about is it located?

[Igor and sven]

I think the lake he is talkng about is in Nicolet National Forest.

[acausedelle]

I live in a big tourist town, so it gets kind of busy with the Illinois people during the summer, but we really don't go anywhere. We always take a yearly vacation to Nevis, MN, but we don't really go anywhere within the state. I wouldn't really want to either, because I feel like I've seen it all here. I've never been one for northern beauty anyway.

[Von Rasch SP03]

We camp all over the state usually in spring and again in fall. favorite spots are Kettle Moraine, Nicolet, LaCrosse, Blue Mounds, New London