Wisconsin Dells sees record tourist summer

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. - More than 4 million people make Wisconsin Dells their summer destination every year, and this summer that number is on the rise.

Tourism businesses in the town report an attendance increase of 10-15 percent this year, according to Romy Snyder of the Wisconsin Dells Visitor and Convention Bureau. That number is normally in the 5-8 percent range, she said.

“I've actually heard some business owners say best summer ever,” Snyder said.

Noah’s Ark is one of them. The Dells destination saw upwards of 10,000 visitors in a day as attendance spiked this year. Snyder points to warmer weather and a drop in prices at the pump, along with great attractions available in town.

“It’s really the combination of so much diversity of entertainment options that keep people coming back every year,” she said.

The official 2015 numbers of economic impact for Wisconsin Dells’ tourism industry won’t come until next May, but Snyder said early indications point to a big increase.