Apostle Islands National Lakeshore generated $17 million in 2010, study says
The 21-island Apostle Islands National Lakeshore often is called the jewel in the crown of the National Park Service. Now, a new study says it’s a valuable gem for the surrounding area as well.By: Mike Simonson, Wisconsin Public Radio
- Sand Island lighthouse
The 21-island Apostle Islands National Lakeshore often is called the jewel in the crown of the National Park Service. Now, a new study says it’s a valuable gem for the surrounding area as well.
A National Park Service study says the Apostle Islands generated $17 million in 2010, and that was an off-year for the park. About 157,000 people visited that year, compared with the usual number of 180,000. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Superintendent Bob Krumanaker said the Lake Superior archipelago attracts people who spend about $166 a day in the area.
“Bayfield and the surrounding communities are highly popular destinations. People travel from great distances. They tend to stay, many of our visitors, in nice B&Bs, they eat in nice restaurants, things that aren’t necessarily available to the average visitor in other national parks,” Krumanaker said.
Big Water Coffee Roasters co-owner Danielle Ewalt sees customers from the Upper Midwest and beyond. She said the Apostle Islands make the big expanse of Lake Superior more interesting.
“It makes the Bayfield area and the Chequamegon Bay area a really unique place to live and to visit, that no other place offers. So it provides a lot,” she said.
The study said of the
$17 million generated,
52 percent is spent on meals and lodging, 29 percent on other retail and 10 percent on entertainment such as the Big Top Chautauqua.
Tags: bayfield county, ashland county, news, wisconsin, business, money
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