LANSING – State Representative Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) today announced her call for a new Tourism Caucus in the Michigan House of Representatives. Ebli established the bipartisan group to promote Michigan's tourism industry and boost state and local economies.
"Michigan has so many treasures – from our sand dunes to our Great Lakes, from Detroit's Motown attractions to the downtown nightlife of Grand Rapids," Ebli said. "We need to get this message out to vacationers from other states, while also reminding our own residents not to overlook these fantastic destinations. By assembling a bipartisan panel of lawmakers from around the state, I believe we will be able to maximize the potential of our tourism industry."
Tourism generates more than $900 million in state tax revenue each year, and supports about 200,000 jobs. A Detroit Free Press survey last summer found that 84 percent of those polled said attracting more out-of-state tourists would help turn Michigan's economy around.
Michigan residents account for 70 percent of tourism in our state.
"This bipartisan Tourism Caucus will help spur effective ways to get more people to explore Michigan during spontaneous weekend getaways or carefully planned family vacations," Ebli said. "By spreading the word about all that our state has to offer, we can make tourism a key part of our new economy."
Earlier this year, Ebli was named Chair of the House Tourism Promotion Subcommittee, a newly created state panel aimed at bolstering the state's tourism industry. Goals of the Tourism Promotion Subcommittee include promoting the Pure Michigan tourism campaign and capitalizing on emerging trends in the tourism industry.