Tourism’s impact on La Crosse County’s economy

A.J. Frels, the Executive Director of Explore La Crosse, was sharing information about how much money tourism generates for the La Crosse area Friday morning during La Crosse Talk.

During the interview with guest host Vicki Markussen, Frels broke down what visitors bring when they come to the area.

Overall, Frels said for 2024, the economic impact of tourism for La Crosse County was $519 million. Direct visitor spending for the county was $319 million, or as Frels put it, money coming right out of the pockets of visitors.

Of the 72 counties that make up Wisconsin, La Crosse County ranks #9 in direct visitor spending....