tourism

Tourism spending in Michigan expected to rise again this year

Mark Brush — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:09:34 +0000

Researchers predict tourists will pump more money into the Michigan economy this year.

Tourism spending in Michigan went up by about 6 percent in 2012, and Michigan State researchers say the state should see a similar increase this year.

They predict a 5.5 percent increase in spending for 2013.

Michigan State University experts, Sarah Nicholls and Dan McCole, released their annual tourism forecast today at the Pure Michigan Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Detroit.

More from an MSU press release:

Nicholls said The Henry Ford in Dearborn had a record year with visits up 25 percent, to 1.9 million. Visits to Michigan’s popular national parks – including Sleeping Bear Dunes, up 14 percent; Pictured Rocks, up 6 percent; and Isle Royale, up 5 percent – far outpaced the 1 percent average increase at all national parks across the country.
In the state’s hotel sector, 2012 saw the highest occupancy rates since 2000, added Nicholls...
“We can attribute these positive outcomes in 2012 to a combination of factors including the warm, dry summer and fall, a continued rebound in consumer confidence, relatively steady gas prices and the continuing influence of the state’s Pure Michigan advertising campaign,” Nicholls said.

Despite the positive trends, the researchers say something unexpected could change things. They're waiting to see how the economy will fare when the effects of the sequester budget cuts set in.

The researchers say Michigan fits well with many tourism trends occurring around the country.

Making room at the table for dogs

Steve Carmody — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:58:00 +0000

A state lawmaker wants to open the doors of Michigan restaurants to dogs of all shapes and sizes.

Currently, only service animals, like guide-dogs, are allowed in restaurants.

Margaret O’Brien wants to change that. The Kalamazoo County Republican wants to let local communities and restaurants decide whether they will permit dogs to sit with their owners at outdoor tables.

Father and son go on a road trip and bring us a guide to 'Yooper Bars'

Stateside Staff — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:56:19 +0000

Anybody who lives in Michigan would not be shocked to hear that there is a lot of good beer, and a lot of good bars to support it.

The problem is finding where exactly are all of the good bars and drinks.

That mystery has been left to word of mouth, hearsay, and luck - until now.

Recently a father-son duo have helped in providing a solution to that problem by doing the kind of research that many dream about.

On a month long road trip they searched every corner of the Upper Peninsula to find exactly where good bars, good drinks, and good times can be found.

The results of their bar hopping excursion were thoroughly documented in a travel guide, entitled Yooper Bars.

In their guide, they break down the history, flavor and atmosphere of over 100 bars that help make the Upper Peninsula unique.

The guide is packed full of facts, bar savvy and humor, such as each bar's specialty drink, food, staff, celebrity sightings, and favorite jokes.

We had an opportunity to sit down father and researcher emeritus, Randy Kluck as well as his son, author and entrepreneur, Kevin Kluck.

The two give us the details on memorable food, drink, stories, and tell us about what it takes to visit 110 out of the 300 bars that are located in the Upper Peninsula.

Listen to the full interview above.

Bear cub petting zoo bill headed to Governor Snyder’s desk

Jake Neher — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 19:17:57 +0000

Governor Rick Snyder will have final say on a bill that would let tourists handle and take pictures with bear cubs. The state Senate today approved changes made by the House last week.
The bill would let the public handle cubs up to 36 weeks old or less than 90 pounds.
Some lawmakers worried the measure would lead to a surge of new bear petting zoos across the state looking to cash in on the experience.
But lawmakers in the state House last week limited the bill so it would only apply to businesses already offering bear petting.
Bill sponsor Senator Tom Casperson had opposed the change, but says it was necessary to get enough votes in the House.

Meet the man behind the bear cub bill

Lindsey Smith — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 20:49:45 +0000

The Michigan House approved a bill Thursday to allow tourists to come in close contact with bear cubs.
The bill only really affects one bear sanctuary in the Upper Peninsula.
Meet Don Oswald of the Oswald Bear Ranch.
“I have 31 bears here right now. They’re my babies,” Oswald said.
You can find YouTube videos of Oswald bottle feeding his “babies,” usually given to him after their mother bears are killed in logging or cars accidents.
He says he’s gotten about a dozen bears from state agencies like the Department of Natural Resources in Michigan; from Ohio, Minnesota, New York and South Dakota. Some come from breeders who can’t sell the bears, Oswald said.
“If I don’t have them they’re going to be euthanized,” Oswald explained.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DBuuI0kOIA