The tourism season is at high tide throughout Michigan as temperatures are beginning to rise.
In Traverse City, officials said tourism got off to a slower start than usual. But travel activity is rising with the temperatures.
Bill O’Brien is the Communications Manager for the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce.
“Tourism is so weather dependent and we just had a very chilly late arriving spring and so we’re not seeing the, we didn’t see the typical buildup of the summer travel crowd that we might see in most years”
O’Brien said he is optimistic about the rest of the season.
“As things have warmed up here in the past couple weeks, you know, we’re seeing the crowds return, and even looking out today a lot of people on our beaches and trails and downtown.. you know it’s been a nice surge after kind of a slow start.”
In the meantime, officials said tourism in Sault Ste. Marie is at full sail and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Linda Hoath is the Executive Director of the Soo area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“If the first part of this year is any indication, we were up so much that we’re expecting this summer to be one of our biggest.”
Hoath said the Soo Locks continues to be one of the city’s largest draws.
“Over half a million people come every year to see that and it’s absolutely free. Half a million people watch the freighters go through the locks because it’s the closest you can get to them. So it’s an amazing thing.”
Officials said other tourist locations in Michigan are also seeing a strong start to summer travel.