Pure Michigan campaign encourages tourism

LANSING, MI (WLNS) – The Governor's Pure Michigan conference on tourism highlighted the continual growth and success of the campaign over the past ten years.

In 2015, out of state visitors spent nearly $1.4 billion in communities and at local businesses around the state.

'Lot's more people coming we think this is an indicator that the Pure Michigan campaign is still working,' MSU Associate Professor of Tourism Sarah Nicholls said.

The Pure Michigan campaign released data for last year's tourism numbers, with 4.6 million trips made to the state, a feat Director of Travel Michigan Dave Lorenz says, is thanks to Michigan having exactly what the state advertises.

'It has really made a difference in the economy and in people's perception of what Michigan is really all about,' Lorenz said.

Michigan is even outpacing the national growth rates in hotel occupancy and Nicholls says it's due to the multitude of attractions the state has.

'Michigan is really lucky to be one of the few states in the country that really has everything to offer,' Nicholls said.

Michigan has recently made headlines for more unfortunate reasons, but Governor Rick Snyder says despite issues such as the Flint water crisis, they'll look at ways to overcome those problems.

'Is there ways they can encourage more people to go visit the restaurants and opportunities in Flint, to see it actually participate and see what a good community it is,' Governor Snyder said.

Snyder says increased tourism will help with job growth in the state, and he is confident next year should look just as good, if not better.

'We had a wonderful year is looking very strong, and it's exciting to see,' Governor Snyder said.

This past year, for every dollar invested by the Pure Michigan campaign, the state brought in more than $7 in return.