LANSING – A report released Monday by two Michigan State University researchers projects tourism spending to increase 4.5 percent in 2014 due to an improving economy, national tourism trends, and the success of the Pure Michigan campaign nationally and internationally.
“Many of the factors we look at suggest that Michigan tourism will experience another strong year,” Dan McCole, assistant professor in MSU’s Department of Community Sustainability, said in a statement. “The stock markets, gross domestic product and consumer confidence are all high. Unemployment is down and housing markets continue to improve. With each year of the recovery, people have more and more confidence in the economy and are therefore more comfortable spending money.”
The projections come off an already strong 2013 in which spending jumped 4 percent, hotel occupancy increased nearly 2 percent, and car traffic on the state’s international bridges and tunnels was up.
Low gas prices and positive news coverage (such as Mackinaw City being ranked as a top tourist town for families and Grand Rapids being voted Beer City USA for 2013) helped contribute to that increase in 2013, researchers said.
Nationally, McCole said leisure travel is growing at a higher rate than business travel and tourists are increasingly searching for authentic and local experiences instead of chain restaurants and hotels.
“More tourists today are interested in sampling regional wineries and craft brews, eating at restaurants that serve foods made with locally produced ingredients, and visiting unique cultural and historical attractions.” he said. “With every new magazine article that recognizes a Michigan destination, and with every Pure Michigan ad, more people realize they can get these kinds of experiences in Michigan.”
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