Driftless Region Rides High on Historic Tourism Boom Despite Local Fluctuations
A surge in tourism has brought record-breaking economic benefits to the Driftless Area and the broader state of Wisconsin, according to newly released data—demonstrating how rural natural destinations can fuel regional growth despite pockets of local decline. As area communities double down on strategic promotion and local partnerships, their ambitions to build a thriving, sustainable tourism sector are under more optimistic scrutiny than ever before (Telegraph Herald).
The Driftless Area—a rugged expanse of southwest Wisconsin, notable for escaping glacial flattening—has long drawn naturalists, paddlers, and cyclists captivated by its dramatic ridgelines, twisting waterways, and quaint towns. According to the latest figures from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, 2024 marked the third consecutive year of record growth, with the state seeing a whopping $25.8 billion economic impact and a heady 114.4 million visits—more than a million above the last pre-pandemic peak (Travel Wisconsin). This boom has made headlines across statewide news platforms, confirming tourism’s vital role not just in big cities but also in rural counties.