| Happy National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW)! This year has been off to a busy start – and we haven’t slowed down yet here at Travel Michigan.
National Travel and Tourism Week 2025 Now more than ever, it’s important to educate the importance of tourism in Michigan and its vital contributions to our economy, employment opportunities and uplifting our diverse communities throughout our two peninsulas. On Monday, I joined Experience Grand Rapids and the Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan (TICOM) at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park to kick off NTTW and showcase the statewide impact of Michigan’s remarkable travel and tourism industry. According to Tourism Economics, in 2023 Michigan’s visitor economy generated $50 billion in impact, which included 29.3 billion in visitor spending and the support of 346,000 jobs. We also highlighted how Michigan has taken the lead in accessibility by inviting travelers of all abilities to enjoy exploring our destinations with ease while making lasting memories. This is exemplified by our work with Wheel the World, an international travel group focused on showcasing exceptionally accessible places and experiences to travelers. Wheel the World has certified Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo and Lansing as “Destination Verified” for their dedication to providing enriching and worry-free experiences, accommodations and more for travelers with disabilities. We’re proud that Michigan’s communities are joining this elite group of more than 30 destinations worldwide. Learn more about this impressive designation here.
Pure Michigan Travel Industry Toolkit The Travel Michigan team is excited to share a new toolkit of resources for tourism and hospitality businesses throughout the state. This toolkit provides a collection of marketing opportunities with the Travel Michigan team – many of which are offered at no cost. While these opportunities are outlined in more detail on michigan.org, this toolkit includes concise printable documents with relevant contact information for the Travel Michigan team and our partners. We invite our CVB and DMO partners to add this link to your website’s members page, or wherever you direct tourism and hospitality businesses in your community for resources and assistance. View the toolkit here.
Welcoming International Travelers: New Delta Air Lines Direct Flight from Dublin to Detroit Yesterday, Delta Air Lines officially launched the new direct flight from Dublin to Detroit. This route not only facilitates easier travel and increased tourism from our Irish markets (and beyond), but also indicates a milestone for Michigan’s tourism industry worth celebrating and strengthens our cultural ties and economic exchange with the region. Irish travelers aboard these new flights will be inspired to explore Michigan’s vibrant cities, natural beauty and unique hidden gems during their visit to the U.S.
Michigan Lodging Report: March 2025 STR has released the Michigan Lodging Report for March 2025. This year, March’s occupancy rate was 50.5%, a 0.4% increase from 2024. While Michigan’s average daily rate (ADR) also increased 1.1% to $114 (from an ADR of $112.7 in March 2024), Michigan’s higher occupancy rate is promising, as the national occupancy rate for March saw a decrease of 0.1% year-over-year. You can view the full report here, which also includes data broken down by region. All the best, Kelly Wolgamott
Vice President, Pure Michigan
Travel Michigan | 
