State Tourism Leader Says Don’t Travel

On this Memorial Day, how far did you roam from home?

For the first time, the state tourism secretary – a job once called “secretary of fun” – hoped you didn’t go far.

“What we’re not doing is actively promoting travel,” Tourism Secretary Sara Meaney said in a WisconsinEye interview before Memorial Day, the traditional start of the summer vacation and travel season.

That unusual advice comes after a record year for the state’s tourism industry: $2.2 billion in direct and indirect spending by Wisconsin residents roaming around their state and out-of-state visitors in 2019.

“No one wants people to travel in Wisconsin more than I do,” Meaney added.

But.

“The risk of spreading or contracting the (COVID-19) virus still exists....
   ...more

Ken Notes: This is very difficult. If you are healthy, Wisconsin is a great place to visit, if you are a risk, we love you but stay home. The real problem is we have little way of knowing and we must err on the side of what is best for our health -- of course weighing into that comes the economic well being of our businesses. Then add the fact that the great divide politically is acting neither on behalf of our citizens or our businesses and you have the victims of the great compromise. (John Prine references were intentional)