Board proclaims Bridal and Tourism Week as Destination Door County reports $523.2M in 2024 visitor spending

The Door County Board of Supervisors on March 24 approved a proclamation recognizing Bridal and Tourism Week (May 3–9) after hearing a presentation from Destination Door County.

John Jarsch of Destination Door County told the board the county’s visitor economy generated $523,200,000 in direct spending in 2024 and produced a total economic impact of $651,200,000 across the local economy. “That activity supported over 3,500 jobs,” he said, and generated about $53,300,000 in state and local taxes. Jarsch said the county’s half-percent sales tax reached $6,825,000 last year, a 6.45% increase and the 15th consecutive year of growth.

The presentation emphasized the role of tourism in county finances and services: “Without the tax revenue generated by our visitor economy, each Door County household would need to contribute an additional $3,700 per year to maintain the same level of services,” Jarsch said.

Board members voiced support for the proclamation and for Destination Door County’s community-investment grant program. Jarsch noted the Destination Door County Community Investment Fund has supported 66 locally impacted projects since the fund was created in 2023 and that the organization has invested about $3.5 million in those projects; Destination Door County has invested $342,885 through its Community Investment Fund grants over the past three years and presented an additional grant award to the county during the meeting.

Why it matters: Tourism is a major revenue source for Door County, with room tax and sales-tax receipts funding local programs, services and targeted grants. The proclamation recognizes the seasonal economic engine and signals continued county support for visitor-economy partnerships.

The board approved the proclamation by voice vote; no further action was required for the ceremonial proclamation.