“If you took away what we call the two COVID years of 2020 and 2021, our tourism industry has set records here in Grand Rapids since 2010.”
That’s Doug Small, president and CEO of tourism marketing bureau Experience Grand Rapids. He says there were nearly 2.36 million hotel rooms sold in Kent County last year, an increase of more than 74,000 rooms over 2024.
“Almost every week, we get another shiny new object or an exhibit or something to promote and market to the world, and we have more coming.”
Last year, EXGR and West Michigan Sports Commission contracted 533 organizations, reaching the highest level of group room night sales in the region’s history. Those bookings generated an estimated $193.5 million in economic impact for Kent County. Small says with projects like the Acrisure Amphitheater and the Amway Stadium, those numbers will only grow.
“We draw from northern Indiana, northern Ohio. People stay overnight and experience the city while going to a concert, so the amphitheater is just going to add that much more to it.”
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