Tourism

Cultural travelers generate substantial tourism business.  Americans for the Arts reports:

Travelers who incorporate cultural events into their trips differ from other U.S. travelers in a number of ways. Compared to all U.S. travelers in 2003, cultural travelers:

• Spend more on average: $623 vs. $457
• Are more likely to be retired: 20% vs. 16%
• Use hotels, motels, or bed & breakfasts: 62% vs. 55%
• Are more likely to spend more than $1,000: 19% vs. 12%
• Travel longer: 5.2 nights vs. 3.4 nights
• Travel by air: 19% vs. 16%

In addition to its direct economic impact, tourism can improve quality of life and build community.  When the arts and tourism communities work together to highlight the unique character of a place, they can harness market forces to educate and entertain visitors, preserve cultural assets, and engender community pride in its heritage and way of life.

2010 Pure Michigan Tourism Spending Details:

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation reports that total tourism spending in Michigan in 2010 was $12.62 billion. In analyzing what activities generated this spending, the activities related to arts, culture and historical tourism totaled $2.08 billion, 17% of the total, and more than golf, skiing, boating, hunting/fishing and sporting events combined.