Ashland & Bayfield Celebrate National Tourism Week
2018 visitor guide Now available
bayfield.org
Mom & Pops that make their living and raise their families here. Several are in their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations of ownership.
by Mary McPhetridge Executive Director Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce Tourism is the freshest type of economic development. Fresh money from out of town travelers is distributed throughout our communities each time we encounter a visitor. Think about all of the expenses you incur when you travel, from gasoline to food, to souvenirs, to lodging. All of those transactions are comprised from fresh dollars outside of our area. Tourists also pay an additional lodging tax (known as room tax, lodging tax, or bed tax). Most municipalities in the country charge this type of tax and the proceeds are sent to the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), either the local chamber or visitor’s bureau to be used to promote tourism. The municipality also receives a portion to use as they wish. In Ashland, the city uses their portion for waterfront development. Tourism also creates jobs, additional tax revenue from sales tax, and additional property & real estate taxes. In Ashland County, our economic base is very diverse. Sectors run the gamut from manufacturing, timber, logging, medical, higher education, professional services, and tourism. Ashland County communities complement each other throughout the four seasons from Waterfalls in southern Ashland County open all year, to the beauty of Madeline Island in all its’ splendor in the warmer months. Throughout Ashland County we see local entrepreneurs and
We are so excited to see the new construction of the Cobblestone Hotel on Historic Main Street opening this fall. All around us we see renovations occurring in our local properties from adding guest rooms to renovating existing properties with new carpet, furniture, and fixtures. Tourism has grown exponentially in the last 10 years with a stronger than ever market in the fall. Our fall occupancy has grown leaps and bounds because of the major events including the Red Clay Classic, Bayfield Apple Festival, and the Memorial Medical Center Half & Full Marathons and Cruisin the Corridor. The fall color travelers have also emerged and increased significantly in the last decade. We also see more baby boomers traveling mid-week in the fall, which greatly helps our retail industry. The murals in Ashland County have created destinations for history and art lovers alike. Madeline Island now has 2 murals and tiny Marengo has 3 murals. The murals offer a “non- weather-dependent” experience that all age groups can enjoy. The Chambers and Tourism promoters in Ashland County have a beautiful area to promote with all sorts of recreational opportunities and attractions from Big Top Chautauqua, Casinos, Natural Wonders, World Class Smallmouth Bass fishing on Chequamegon Bay and an excellent inventory of major events. Vacationing and spending time with Friends and Family is a healthy activity to participate in and we welcome visitors all year long from all over the country and Canada.
of dollars in direct revenue, as well as quality jobs and tax revenue for the state.
by David Eades Executive Director Bayfield Chamber & Visitor Bureau The first references that I can find in a newspaper for the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce is from the 1920’s. Our actual birthdate seems to have been lost to history, but the mission has not. Bayfield has served as home to countless businesses and a tourist destination since its founding in 1856. Although it may have been the stands of white pine, the plentiful fish from the big lake, or the brownstone that brought men here to get rich, they soon realized what the Anishinaabe have known for hundreds of years; that Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands sustains life far beyond what simply can be cut down or extracted from the landscape for money. The natural beauty, clean water, and clean air of Bayfield quickly became known as place to vacation with family and friends and a place to rest, rejuvenate, and discover nature all over again. The Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau, as it is now known, values and promotes the special allure of Bayfield with regards to its social, cultural, environmental and architectural history. Our mission is to share this magical place with the rest of world while maintaining the special image, traditions, and culture of the community. As a destination marketing organization, we provide the foundation to a thriving tourism sector that generates millions
Bayfield is the “Gateway to the Apostle Islands.” These 22 islands stretch over 70,000 acres of Lake Superior to form an archipelago known worldwide for premier sailing and fishing. Twenty one of these islands make up the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and contain more lighthouses than any other national park. The 22nd, and largest of the islands, Madeline Island, supports a flourishing community known for its artists, white sand beaches, and local flavor. Lake Superior and the Islands also protect the Bayfield mainland from the harsh winds and snow of winter, providing it with the perfect climate for growing berries and apples, making Bayfield the “Berry Capital of Wisconsin.” Bayfield boasts over 15 orchards and berry farms that produce a variety of fresh berries and fruit including raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, currants, cherries, gooseberries, juneberries, blackberries, apples, and the list goes on and on. Bayfield’s unique climate is currently home to over 50 different apple varieties that are celebrated at the annual Bayfield Apple Festival, now in its 55th year in 2018. Along with the orchards, Bayfield has 4 wineries and a distillery using local fruits for their wines, meads and other tasty libations. You can also sample these fruits and berries as ingredients at many of the restaurants. The Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau is proud to have over 400 members help us fulfill the “Bayfield Experience” to over 1.5 million visitors every year with a mix of businesses including; adventure, orchards, retail, lodging, restaurants, nonprofits, and professional services. With a mix of membership dues, room tax dollars, and event income, the Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau maintains a full-time staff of 3-4 individuals, and another 3-4 part-time employees in the summer, with a budget of $600,000. We are both honored and blessed to be able to promote this destination.