Researchers: Mich. tourism spending rose in 2012
Researchers say tourist spending in Michigan grew 6 percent in 2012 with help from ad campaign
A Sept. 4, 2012 photo shows Pictured Rocks National Seashore in Munising, Mich. The Pure Michigan tourism promotion campaign had its most successful year in 2012, attracting 3.8 million visitors from other states who spent a record $1.1 billion at Michigan businesses, according to a consultant’s report released Monday, April 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Roger Schneider)
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) -- Researchers say business grew for Michigan's tourism industry last year, with help from a hot summer, rising consumer confidence and the "Pure Michigan" advertising campaign.
Michigan State University tourism specialists Sarah Nicholls and colleague Dan McCole say tourism spending in the state rose by about 6 percent in 2012. They say the hotel sector had its highest occupancy rates since 2000. Visits to Michigan's national parks also jumped.
Nicholls and McCole are scheduled to present a tourism forecast for this year Tuesday at an industry conference in Detroit.
A consultant's report released Monday says the Pure Michigan ad campaign drew 3.8 million visitors to the state last year, who spent about $1.1 billion. The report says Michigan took in $5.76 in taxes for every dollar spent on the campaign.
