Business & Economy
Ad money pays off, increasing state tourism
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By SILU GUO
Capital News Service
LANSING – Pure Michigan, regional tourism organizations and researchers are working together to attract visitors from out of Michigan, and spending less money to do it than other states. “In 2012 there are six outstanding states for tourism. Among them Hawaii spends $75 million on advertising, California spends $61 million, Florida spents $36 million and Michigan’s budget is only $25 million,” said Paul Stansbie, chair of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Grand Valley State University. Stansbie said despite the challenged economy last year, the number of tourists increased 4 percent throughout the world. “People still travel — the only change is how much they spend on their trip,” he said.