Michigan’s tourism hot spots are in the midst of their first big summer weekend.
Michigan State University’s annual tourism forecast predicts a three percent increase in the number of tourists this year. The forecast also predicts a five percent increase in tourism spending in 2013.
Brad Van Dommelen is the president of the Traverse City Convention and Visitors Bureau. He says Traverse City-area hotels have seen an uptick in pre-bookings.
“Most hotels I talk to are telling me that they’re seeing an increase in the pace of reservations going into the summer season,” says Van Dommelen.
The MSU tourism analysts say Michigan tourism rose 6% in 2012. They credited warm weather in the summer and fall, moderate gas prices and the Pure Michigan tourism campaign.
