LANSING – State Representative Terry Brown (D-Pigeon) today praised the award-winning "Pure Michigan" advertising campaign and the state's extremely popular travel Web site, saying they play a vital role in making Michigan a top destination for travelers. Brown noted that both tools fit with his efforts to expand Michigan's multibillion-dollar tourism industry, which pumps badly needed dollars into local communities and creates jobs for our residents.
"Sometimes we forget how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful state that offers an amazing variety of things to do and see, all year round," said Brown, who is a member of the House Tourism Promotion Subcommittee, which works to increase the tourism industry's role in Michigan's new economy and boost related investment. "Offering an attractive Web site is a great way to show all the wonderful aspects of Michigan to potential visitors across the state and across the country. By making the Thumb a top destination for travelers, we are supporting local jobs and our local economy."
The Travel Industry Association of American last month awarded "Pure Michigan" – a campaign that kicked off in select national markets in April – its Mercury Award, given to the state with the best tourism campaign. The campaign promotes the state's travel Web site, Michigan.org, which has been the No.1 such site in the nation for months, according to the international tracking company Hitwise. Michigan.org attracted about 12 percent of the Internet traffic at state tourism sites last month.
Tourism in Michigan supports about 200,000 jobs and contributes more than 900 million dollars in state tax revenue. Much of this activity in the Thumb comes from important traditional pursuits such as hunting, fishing, boating, and snowmobiling. Brown said that other opportunities should also be promoted.
"The new Tip of the Thumb Heritage Water Trail, the development of Indianfields Township's 182-acre park and our improved campgrounds are assets that we need to make people aware of," Brown said. "With our new wind farms, we can even explore ecotourism. I am working hard to find every tourism opportunity to bring private investment and good-paying jobs to our communities in the Thumb."