Over the years, competing states have spent much more than Michigan to attract tourism. For the past several years, Michigan appropriated just $5.7 million to fund Travel Michigan’s promotion program. Over that same time period, other states spent much more.
Last year, Wisconsin spent $13 million, Illinois spent $48 million, Pennsylvania spent $32 million and West Virginia $23 million. Travel Michigan’s $5.7 million promotion budget is dwarfed by such expenditures, making it difficult for our state to compete for limited tourist dollars. Click here to see comparisons of state tourism budgets. Click here to see Michigan Tourism Promotion Budget History.
Thanks to Governor Granholm and Republican leadership in the House and Senate, the legislature recently added a one-time placement of $15 million to augment Travel Michigan’s existing $5.7. Michigan’s tourism industry commends and thanks the Governor and Republican leadership for these additional funds, which will be spent over the course of the next two years.
This additional funding dramatically strengthens Michigan’s competitive position versus other states. Click here to see how Michigan’s “Projected Tourism Office Budget” compares with those of competing states. Last year, Michigan’s budget was 31st largest nationwide. This year, Michigan’s budget temporarily jumps to 14th largest nationwide!
However, unless the legislature and Governor act to permanently increase appropriations for tourism promotion funding, Travel Michigan’s budget will revert back to just $5.7 million. Because other states are continuing to increase their promotion efforts, this would drop Michigan’s tourism promotion budget down to just 39th largest!
Other states spend money to promote tourism because they recognize the dramatic return on that investment in the form of increased economic activity, more jobs and much greater state tax revenues. And the best thing about tourism industry business and the jobs it creates? Tourism jobs stay put! You can’t outsource, or relocate downhill skiing, Michigan beaches, boating, camping, snowmobiling, or any of the jobs those great tourist activities generate!
A greater investment in tourism promotion brings more business, creates more jobs and strengthens our state’s economy. Michigan can & must do better! Click here for additional history and detail on the Problems and Opportunities being presented policymakers regarding Michigan Tourism…
Additional information
Michigan Tourism Situational Analysis
