In its 2007 forecast,
“We were on track to register a 6 percent to 7 percent increase in sales on modest increases in traffic through the peak summer season when the rains came and turned the fall season into a bust for most northern Michigan businesses,” said Don Holecek, director of the tourism center.
Still, despite the struggling
A research team led by Holecek projected the number of travelers will increase 1 percent to 2 percent in 2007, and travelers’ spending will increase by 4 percent to 5 percent. Travel prices are expected to increase 3 percent to 4 percent.
Factors expected to have a negative impact in the coming months include the continued weakness in the state’s economy and high gasoline prices. MSU researchers found that as much as 70 percent of
There are also positive factors at work. “It would be highly unusual, even in Michigan, to lose the fall color season again this year,” Holecek said. “And the full benefit of increased advertising spending and post-Labor Day school-opening legislation will be felt this year.”