Positive Trends: Door County’s Visitor Economy Shows Continued Growth in 2023

Media contact: Julie Gilbert, President/CEO, Destination Door County julie@doorcounty.com or 920-818-1131 June 14, 2024 – Door County, WI. Last year showed continued prosperity for Door County as its tourism industry continued to flourish, contributing immensely to the local economy and enhancing the quality of life for residents. According to the latest economic impact report from global research firm Tourism Economics, Door County's visitor economy generated $620 million in total economic activity in 2023. This marked an increase of $33 million compared to the previous year, showcasing the hard work by local businesses and ongoing appeal of this beloved destination to visitors. Direct visitor spending spearheaded this economic momentum, reaching $497 million, while indirect and induced spending contributed an additional $123 million. This influx of tourism dollars not only bolstered the bottom lines of local businesses but also reverberated throughout the community, benefiting residents in multiple ways. The positive impact of the visitor economy extended to employment opportunities, with the tourism industry supporting a total of 3,444 jobs in Door County. These jobs not only provided livelihoods for residents but also contributed to a record $121.6 million in labor income for local workers in 2023. Tourism spending also generated $51 million in state and local taxes, alleviating the tax burden on county residents while supporting government programs and infrastructure projects. In fact, the tax contributions from visitors helped offset the need for an additional $2,130 per household in Door County to maintain existing services. Julie Gilbert, President/CEO of Destination Door County, emphasized the benefits residents receive from a strong visitor economy. "Last year's success not only empowered local businesses and workers but also provided us with more opportunities to enhance our community," she remarked. "The increase in tax revenue allows us to continue investing in community priorities such as parks, infrastructure, and other projects that directly enrich the lives of our residents while also enhancing the visitor experience," said Gilbert. The positive trajectory of Door County's tourism industry mirrors the statewide trend, with Wisconsin’s tourism industry achieving a record-breaking $25 billion in total economic impact in 2023. As Door County embarks on the 2024 season, the outlook for another year of incremental growth and prosperity for the entire community looks strong. ##### View the tourism fact sheet: 2023 Door County Tourism Economic Impact Fact Sheet View the full report: Economic Impact of Tourism in Door County 2023, by Tourism Economics