Keep 'em Comin'...Whoever They Are

Interesting bit about tourism in Michigan in yesterday's Freep. According to an MSU study, tourism in Michigan is growing, with tourist spending up nearly 8% last year and expected to grow another 6% in 2012. Good news in a state that hasn't had much where the economy is concerned. But, as the opening line of the article put it, these are "not your father's tourists."

A key difference--

People who vacation here are increasingly educated and ethnically diverse and have interest in beaches, wineries and restaurants rather than fishing and boating...

While it's nice to see our appeal broadening, this strikes me as another small indicator of the decline of outdoor culture in this state, of its shrinking place in our identity.

That decline isn't occurring in Michigan only, and we need to be able to attract the growing segment of people who aren't interested much, if at all, in hooking or shooting something, or plucking mushrooms, or hiking the Porkies. We know all too well the perils of relying too much on a single sector of manufacturing and don't need to make the same mistake with tourism. All the same, reading this I (though a certified lover of wineries and restaurants) feel ever so slightly displaced.

On a less maudlin note, the article also reported the doings at a governor's conference on tourism on Mackinac Island, which included Governor Snyder taking his constituents to task in a speech. Apparently, we're poor ambassadors for our home.

Visitors, [Snyder] said, "are often fired up -- until they talk to Michigan people. We went through a terrible decade, and a lot of people got down on themselves and the state."

He suggested that Michiganders should take more pride in the state and not be so humble.

"When people start criticizing the state, ask them, 'Why do you live here?' " Snyder said. "They'll start talking about why they like Michigan."

While I am no fan of the governor, I will be glad to carry out this portion of his agenda. I could assist in other ways too...

One thing that might help, Snyder added, tongue in cheek: Make at least one Pure Michigan ad showing someone actually catching a fish.

Take up thy camera, and follow me...