The impact of tourism on the state’s economy is growing, and it’s economic impact could be ready to hit $100 billion, according to the Vice President of Travel Michigan.
David West appeared before a legislative committee in Lansing to, among other things, tout the Pure Michigan advertising budget of nearly $30 million.
West calls it an investment in tourism, and not a tourism expenditure, although over the years, some have disagreed with that.
He also says they’re in the process of calculating the overall impact of the nearly $19 billion in direct tourism spending, but once indirect spending is included, he expects it to hit $100 billion. He hopes to have official numbers during the Governor’s Tourism Conference in Grand Rapids later this month.
He made the comments to a legislative committee last week.