September 3, 2014 at 5:01 p.m.
Mild, rainy weather made for challenging summer, tourism officials report
Mild, rainy weather made for challenging summer, tourism officials report
While any day above 50 degrees was welcome after the last polar vortex left town, the summer of 2014 was mild and wet. Temperatures never reached the heights sunbathers hope for, rain always seemed more likely than sunshine, and rapid weather fluctuations (from sunshine to rain and back again within a few hours) were common.
As they do every summer, officials at Northwoods chambers of commerce spent the last few months helping to crank the local economic engine by bringing new visitors and repeat customers to God's Country.
During any given summer, given the abundant natural resources this region is known for, that task isn't usually a difficult one. This year was different though. This year, it was a battle.
Speaking with the River News, area chamber executive directors reported a positive albeit challenging summer.
Rhinelander
Dana DeMet, executive director of the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce, said this summer had much more of an ebb and flow to it than previous seasons.
"We saw strong periods throughout the summer where we had our lodges and resorts saying they were very full throughout weeks. Those were separated by shorter blocks of a little bit lighter tourist activity," he said. "It was a little cool this summer so we probably didn't see as many day-trippers coming into our area as much as we would have (if the weather had been warmer), just because if people wanted to be out on the lake enjoying the water it may have been not as conducive to that. However, I think for the people who had planned their vacations or knew they were coming up, that didn't really alter their plans."
With the winters of Wisconsin becoming more and more erratic in recent years, DeMet said he and his staff will look to fall events to try to extend the summer tourist season.
"We're looking at shifting some of our efforts toward making a bigger push in the fall in years going forward versus in the spring like we've typically done," DeMet said. "What we've been seeing over the last few winters with how late our winters have been going, we thought it's maybe more appropriate to shift to the fall a little bit."
"Events are always going to be planned with the aim of bringing people into our area or bringing people from our area out into the community," he added. "We've been seeing longer winters and it's easier to plan for an early fall versus a late spring ... but summer's always going to be our bread and butter here."
Three Lakes
The summer played out much the same way in Three Lakes, according to Skip Brunswick, executive director of the Three Lakes Chamber of Commerce.
"It went fairly well. The biggest deterrent, I think, was the late start to the summer due to the winter being as long as it was. That delayed things a little bit," he said. "I think the other thing was our weather has not been as warm as it normally is. A lot of people were waiting to make decisions to see what the weather was going to be. A couple of our events were affected by the weather from a negative standpoint. We were down probably 35 to 40 percent on a couple of events and that was primarily due to the weather, but there's nothing you can do about that."
Brunswick said the biggest change he observed during the season as compared to previous summers was that many people appeared to have shortened the length of their stay.
"People seemed to be coming up for two or three days, at the most, instead of coming up for the entire week and I don't think they came up as often as they have in the past," he said. "I think the economy is still having an effect on that, along with the gas prices, but overall it hasn't been a real bad summer. It wasn't terrific, either, but we keep plugging away. Every year is different. There's no way you can control Mother Nature."
After an up-and-down 2014 summer tourist season, Brunswick said he hopes this winter doesn't see the return of the polar vortex.
"Usually with our fall and winter events we are always adding something new to try to reach out and attract new interests," Brunswick said.
"Hopefully, we won't have another severely cold winter like last year because that didn't get us off to a good start for spring and it certainly wasn't beneficial for our winter activities."
Minocqua
New Minocqua Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Krystal Westfahl, who is in her first week on the job, said she's been told the weather didn't dampen the spirits of those who trek to Minocqua every summer.
"It seems like we've had a really great turnout when it comes right down to it. Our rooms were filled, our restaurants did well and it didn't seem like the cooler temperatures slowed anybody down, whether it was because they had been trapped inside all winter or because Minocqua is the place to be - of course I believe it's the latter," she said. "We've had a really great showing for this year. It seems like (our numbers) have actually gone up and that we've had quite a few more people come and visit us this year than we've had in the past."
Tomahawk
Reports from a little further south were in line with the rest of the Northwoods. Tomahawk Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tamra Anderson said the cooler temperatures put a crimp on some events, but overall it was a positive tourist season.
"Our summer went very well. The weather kind of hindered some of our events, but they were still well attended," she said. "The businesses, when we've been out and about, they said from the July 4 holiday through the end of August, through Labor Day, usually they see a decline in traffic, but they said that they didn't see that decline this year. They said, especially some of our gas stations and hotels, they said that after the Fourth of July this is one of the best summers they've had in a really long time, so that was awesome."
"The long winter, I think, had a lot to do with it. People wanted to get out and enjoy the summer as long as they could before it becomes winter again," she added.
Anderson said she gives all the credit to the community.
"I think it says a lot about our community, that people, even though the weather hasn't been as cooperative as it has been in years past, still want to get out and they still want to come to Tomahawk because we do have a great community and welcoming businesses," she said.
"We're just a really welcoming community and I think people remember that and they just want to come back year after year."
Marcus Nesemann may be reached at [email protected].
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