FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 2004  

Davidson-Peterson Associates Estimates Economic Impact of Wisconsin Tourism for 16^th Consecutive Year

Kennebunk , ME – Davidson-Peterson Associates (DPA) will estimate the economic impact of tourism on the state of Wisconsin for the 16^th consecutive year, during 2004.  The annual study involves telephone interviews with 1,600 lodging facilities and 1,000 state residents, as well as on-the-ground interviews with a sample of 2,000 Wisconsin travelers.  These interviews provide input to a model of the Wisconsin economy, maintained by DPA’s strategic partner, Dr. William Schaffer, Professor Emeritus of the Georgia Institute of Technology.  

Each year, DPA presents the findings of this study at the Wisconsin Governor’s Conference on Tourism.  Dave Scheler, Research Coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, states, “With DPA’s help, our base model for estimating the economic impact of travelers has evolved into a more refined, precise seasonal and local approach.”  

DPA will provide similar services to Birmingham, AL, the Great River Road National Scenic Byway, and attractions such as the Milwaukee Zoo, in 2004.  

Davidson-Peterson Associates is the travel and tourism research division of Digital Research, Inc. of Kennebunk, Maine.