Experts predict good year for Michigan tourism despite return to normal travel patterns

LANSING, Mich. (WILX/WNEM/WLUC) – The kick off to the summer travel season is here as tourists make their return to the Great Lakes State.

The state’s tourism bureau expects trends to continue after over 125 million tourists visited the state in 2022. Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance Chair Nikki Devitt said tourism has a huge impact on the region’s economy.

“We are a diverse economy in northern Michigan, but the number one economy for many of our communities that we depend on most for our year-round living style is tourism, plain and simple,” Devitt admitted.

Tourism in Michigan supports over 300,000 jobs and adds nearly $50 billion to the state’s economy. Travel Michigan’s Nick Nerbonne said while tourist numbers last year began returning to “traditional travel patterns,” but still expects higher numbers starting with Memorial Day.

“A lot of people like to get out and explore the state of Michigan from downtown Detroit all the way up to the western U.P.,” Nebonne said.

MDOT expects 1.3 million Michiganders to travel more than 50 miles from home during the holiday weekend.

Michigan’s new Chief Growth Officer position is designed to grow the state through different economic avenues including things like business incentives and tourism. Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe says many tourists turn into residents after visiting a state, which she said would help with retaining talent and bringing more people to the state.

“[Tourism] drives incredible economic impact and real important visits that are often their first front door to Michigan before they make their decision potentially to turn from visitors into residents,” Doe explained.

Doe said they are working on coming up with policies to make Michigan not just a better place to vacation, but a better place to live as well.

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