Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Celebrates National Travel & Tourism Week
MILWAUKEE – County Executive David Crowley is joining Visit Milwaukee to celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week (May 3–9) and showcase how tourism is fueling the county’s momentum.
Milwaukee County continues to gain national attention on the national stage for its vibrant dining scene, world-class festivals, beloved sports teams, and rich cultural experiences, including at Milwaukee County Parks and the Milwaukee County Zoo. From major events to everyday exploration, visitors are discovering the community in bigger ways and contributing to its continued growth. In 2024, visitors to our community spent more than $2.4 billion in Milwaukee County, generating over $242 million in state and local taxes in the process. At the heart of this tourism impact is the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE), the gateway to our community, which welcomed nearly six million passengers to MKE in 2025.
“In Milwaukee County, tourism strengthens our economy, supports thousands of good-paying jobs, and showcases everything that makes our community special,” said County Executive Crowley. “When people choose to visit Milwaukee, they’re investing in our local businesses, our neighborhoods, and the experiences that make this community so vibrant. During National Travel and Tourism Week, we highlight the vital role of tourism in growing our economy, supporting working families, and bringing people together.”
“Visitors add enormously to Milwaukee’s economy. Travel and tourism amplify our national reputation, they boost our quality of life, and, most of all, the money visitors spend creates jobs in Milwaukee,” Mayor Cavalier Johnson said. “I am enthusiastic about our hospitality industry all year, especially during National Travel and Tourism week.”
“Tourism is one of the engines behind Milwaukee’s growth right now,” said Peggy Williams-Smith, president and CEO of Visit Milwaukee. “It supports local businesses, creates jobs, and brings new energy to every neighborhood. National Travel & Tourism Week is our chance to celebrate that impact and invite more people to experience Milwaukee for themselves.”
As part of the week, Visit Milwaukee is launching two new videos that provide an inside look at how tourism works in Milwaukee and why it matters. “How Tourism Powers Milwaukee” is an overview of how the organization promotes the city and supports the local economy, while “How Meetings Come to Milwaukee” offers a behind-the-scenes look at how conventions and major events are secured and the impact they bring. Both videos are available here and will be promoted throughout the week.
This week will also signal the start of Visit Milwaukee’s annual City of Festivals campaign, which promotes our rich culture of celebration, our unique festival grounds, and our dynamic neighborhood fests.
Lean more about how tourism impacts Milwaukee County at visitmilwaukee.org/insights.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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