An annual study conducted by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Travel Michigan reveals Muskegon County visitors increased spending 5.4% in 2024, or just over $409 million. That’s compared to just over $388 million in 2023.
“A lot of that has to do with the convention center that opened here a few years ago.”
Bob Lukens is the director of marketing firm Visit Muskegon. He says the VanDyk Mortgage Convention Center got off to a slow start opening during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“But now the convention center is up and running well and it’s booked for a good percentage of the year, especially in the shoulder seasons and the winter.”
The study also showed that tourism spending concentrated on transportation, food & beverage, recreation, lodging and retail, spending that supported nearly 5,000 jobs.
“Tourism is the fourth largest industry here in Muskegon County behind high-tech manufacturing, health care, and agriculture.”
Michigan tourism contributed $54.8 billion in total economic impact driven by just over 131 million visitors last year. The industry supported more than 350,000 jobs, accounting for one in every 17 jobs in the state.
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