Total business sales captures total amount of spending at businesses by tourists while either visiting or passing through the region. Another way to think of these sales is to consider them exports and a way of attracting outside dollars into the local economy. A very special thanks to the Stevens Point Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (SPACVB) for providing the data.
According to Sara Brish, the Executive Director SPACVB, "The $124.7 million in visitor spending was an increase of 4.27% from the amount visitors spent in Portage County in 2015. Ranked 23 out of all 72 counties for the state, Portage County saw the largest growth in visitor spending when compared to neighboring counties in central Wisconsin."