MADISON, Wis. (Sept. 3, 2009) - Autumn is just around the corner and with that comes the popular Wisconsin Department of Tourism Fall Color Report available on TravelWisconsin.com. The Department will launch its first report of the season on September 3.
The report is the state's leading tool for travelers to track the progress of Wisconsin's 16 million acres of forests as they turn from their summertime emerald to a vibrant palette of autumn color over the next nine to 10 weeks. Travelers spent over $3 billion in Wisconsin during the 2008 fall season (September-November), which is the state's second busiest season after summer.
With 100 fall color reporters providing updates in all 72 counties of the state, there is no other report that is as comprehensive or timely. Using the Department of Tourism's online tool, reporting is done "virtually live" - meaning reporters from chambers of commerce, visitor bureaus, tourism organizations, and state parks and forests can update their area's status as conditions change. At a minimum fall color watchers update once a week on Wednesdays, so the report is ready for the weekend.
Travelers can subscribe on TravelWisconsin.com to have the report emailed to them every Thursday in time to make their weekend plans.
- The report includes:
- Wisconsin map indicating peak color locations and timing
- Percentage of trees "in peak color"
- Number of weeks until their area is expected to reach peak color
- Date when the report was last updated
- Special notes section that provides inside travel tips from the local area such as scenic drives, colorful parks and vistas, upcoming events, and other areas of interest
- Links for local travel information
- Print version so fall color seekers can take the report with them when they travel
To assist the media who report the state's spectacular fall colors as they change throughout the season in newscasts, weather programs, weekend features or travel sections, the Department of Tourism can provide the Wisconsin Fall Color Report in one of two ways:
1. Via e-mail every Thursday. Please contact Jeff Dardis at 414-270-7203 or jdardis@laughlin.com, if you would like to suggest someone in your organization to receive this report each week.
2. Check the report independently at
www.TravelWisconsin.com
at any time.
For additional information, photography or interviews with Department of Tourism spokespeople, please contact Lisa Marshall at 608-267-3773 or via e-mail at lmarshall@travelwisconsin.com. For Wisconsin travel planning information and free travel guides including the 2009-10 Fall/Winter Event Guide, travelers can visit TravelWisconsin.com.
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