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.

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

Pure Michigan brings pure economic benefits to the state

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:05:45 +0000

Bridge Magazine published an article this week that shows the scale and value of Michigan's tourism sector.
Contributor Jeff Alexander writes the sector accounts for $17.7 billion of Michigan's $300 billion-plus economy.
Citing state tourism data, Alexander writes since it's launch in 2006, the Pure Michigan campaign has helped attract out of state visitors by focusing on the states natural beauty and historic attractions.

Stateside: Pure Michigan's history of allure

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 19:12:02 +0000

The Pure Michigan campaign is credited with attracting 3.2 million out-of-state visitors to Michigan.
It is an effective campaign with a surprisingly long history.
Michael Federspiel, executive director of the Little Traverse Historical Society and history professor at Central Michigan University spoke with Cyndy about the Pure Michigan of the past.
According to Federspiel, Northern Michigan was faced with reconstructing its image
“It was an area looking for an identity,” said Federspiel.
The major message of 19^th century promotional campaigns was a combination of relaxation and exploration.
“During those years when the railroads were in charge of publicity, they would create booklets that would be in hotels and railroad stations. They would point to Northern Michigan where you could be very active, or not active at all. The Pure Michigan campaign targets non-Michiganians,” said Federspiel.
According to Federspiel, in 1898 Ernest Hemingway's family decided to come to Petoskey and bought property. The Hemingway family still owns that original cottage.
“You have resort communities that were founded in the 1870’s that were places people came to spend the season.”
There are two ways you can podcast "Stateside with Cynthia Canty"
Podcast of the entire show
Podcast of each segment

NHL lockout felt beyond Detroit

Lindsey Smith — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 19:30:48 +0000

The ongoing lockout of the National Hockey League could cause the cancelation of the Winter Classic in Ann Arbor. The outdoor game is supposed to be at the University of Michigan Big House on New Year’s Day. The week-long Hockeytown Winter Festival in Detroit would be canceled with it.
That would be a bummer for the Red Wings’ affiliated team the Grand Rapids Griffins, which is supposed to play at the festival.
“It’s a sad time for hockey right now,” said Bob Kaser, VP of Community Relations for the Griffins (among other job titles).
He says some fans have traveled to Grand Rapids to get their hockey fix during the lockout. Fox Sports Detroit broadcast a Griffins game last week. But Kaser’s not really thrilled about the circumstances.

M-22: Who owns the rights to road signs in Michigan?

Mark Brush — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:14:41 +0000

Several weeks ago I posted on the debate taking place over the trademark owned by brothers Matt and Keegan Myers.
They've captured the love people have for northwest Michigan and Leelanau County with their M-22 business.
M-22 has been a success, but they've also been working to keep others from selling stuff emblazoned with a Michigan state road sign symbol.

Owners of M-22 logo promise to "go down fighting"

Mark Brush — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 17:02:42 +0000

Several years ago, brothers Matt and Keegan Myers had an idea - capitalize on the love people have for the Leelanau County area by selling t-shirts, hats, coffee cups, bumper stickers, wine, and other items with the state highway M-22 logo on them.
State highway M-22 winds through the scenic coastal areas northwest of Traverse City, and along the Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan's "pinkie."

Idlewild, the "Black Eden," celebrates 100 years

Kate Wells — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 15:32:20 +0000

They called it the “Black Eden.”
From the 1920’s to 60’s, tens of thousands of African Americans poured into the resort town of Idlewild, Michigan. They came to escape steaming summers in segregated cities, and to see some of the greatest musicians of the age.

In this morning's Michigan news headlines. . .

Emily Fox — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 10:56:25 +0000

Ballot rulings expected Friday
"The state Supreme Court is expected to rule Friday on challenges to four questions that could go on the November ballot. The challenges focused on the wording of the proposals, and whether they fully explain how they would change the Michigan Constitution.The questions at issue would guarantee collective bargaining rights in the state constitution, allow an expansion of non-tribal casinos, require two-thirds super-majorities for the Legislature to raise taxes, and make it harder to build a new international bridge in Detroit. Three other questions have already been approved for the ballot. The deadline to finalize the ballot is a week away," Rick Pluta reports.
Detroit police pay cuts
"The city of Detroit can move forward on cutting police officers' pay by 10 percent and implementing 12-hour work shifts. Wayne County Circuit Judge Kathleen MacDonald lifted an injunction Thursday, allowing Detroit to impose $75 million in police cuts. City leaders say the cuts are necessary to help trim the budget deficit.
Detroit Police Officers Association President Joe Duncan filed a lawsuit to stop the pay cuts and longer work shifts. Police Chief Ralph Godbee says about 1,500 patrol officers will work the longer shifts in an effort to cut costs, while keeping more officers on city streets," Vince Duffy reports.
Mitten fight makes money
"A good-natured PR war between Michigan and Wisconsin has won a national award. Last December, Wisconsin began using a brown knitted mitten in its winter tourism campaign. That prompted an outcry from many in Michigan, who consider this the true mitten state. The two states' travel associations used the publicity to raise money to buy mittens and gloves for those in need. This week a national travel association gave both states an award for the effort. According to the association the controversy resulted in 17-milion dollar worth of free media coverage," Lindsey Smith reports.

Benton Harbor hosts 2012 Senior PGA Championship

Lindsey Smith — Tue, 22 May 2012 16:57:22 +0000

The Senior PGA tournament for professional golfers is in Benton Harbor this week.
Famous golfers began practicing on the course Monday afternoon. Harbor Shore golf course was partially built on city owned land. Elected city leaders agreed to lease the property with the hope of attracting jobs and tourists to the region.
Herb Caldwell is Vice President of the Consortium for Community Development. The non-profit group tries to improve the community’s workforce skills. He says the group has helped more than 260 people get temporary jobs for the tour.
But Caldwell says the tournament is also bringing a sense of excitement and pride to its residents.
“People will walk away from this – not only the people internally who live here – with a different perspective on their community but the people who will visit here will now have a different picture of Benton Harbor,” Caldwell said.
But not everyone is pleased.
Benton Harbor is the poorest city in Michigan with an average household income of $17,000 a year. The city government is under the control of an emergency manager.

Is the world ready for Pure Michigan?

Steve Carmody — Sun, 13 May 2012 20:01:01 +0000

The Obama Administration wants to step up efforts to promote the U.S. as an international tourism destination. That’s welcome news to the folks who run the “Pure Michigan” campaign.
Michigan tourism officials know people from foreign countries come here to vacation, but they don’t know how many, and that’s important to know when they’re planning how to spend the “Pure Michigan” campaign’s $25 million advertising budget.
This year, only about one percent, or about $250,000, is being spent to promote Michigan as a tourism destination in Europe, mainly in England and Germany. Nothing is being spent in Asia.
George Zimmerman oversees the “Pure Michigan” campaign for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. He says the Obama Administration’s tourism strategy includes determining where foreign visitors want to go.
“For about half the states, including Michigan, there just isn’t enough sample size to really have good data. So, that’s been a challenge for us, says Zimmerman.
Right now, the “Pure Michigan” campaign is focusing on regional promotions with some national ads, and “a modest effort” in Canada.

"Stemfest 2012" t-shirts hot selling item for Holland's Tulip Time

Lindsey Smith — Fri, 04 May 2012 13:09:53 +0000

Organizers of Holland’s Tulip Time festival are having a little fun with the fact the usual draw - million of blooming tulips - will be missing this year.
In Holland, you hear some worries about it almost every year. But this year it was especially bad.
“The weather’s been so warm. When tulips were blooming on St. Patrick’s Day we all looked at each other and said 'we’ll have nothing by the festival.”
Luckily there are some tulip blooms left; about 30-percent Auwerda estimates.
“The locals have always called it a stemfest when there’s not a lot of tulips. And so we thought, let’s just do a little tongue in check and have a little fun with it.”
They made official “Stemfest 2012” t-shirts and buttons. Demand was so high for the original 300 stemfest t-shirts, they had to stop taking online orders shortly after they hit the shelves Thursday.
Auwerda says they’ve reordered the shirts. They're expected to restock Tuesday, but she can't promise they'll have enough to sell online. (I read other businesses are selling unofficial versions.)