AGP Executive Report

Tourism Outlook: Michigan tourism agencies have stopped marketing in Canada amid tensions, as visitor spending and arrivals also declined in September. Cruise Travel: Great Lakes cruise tourism reached a record $310 million in 2026. Winter Getaways: Snowriver joined an Ikon Pass partnership with resort upgrades and winter savings, while the Keweenaw is promoting sled-dog outings, saunas and snowshoe trails. Beach Safety: New rapid water tests could help Michigan officials make beach-safety decisions faster.

Tourism Trends: Michigan visitor spending and arrivals declined in September, adding pressure to an industry adjusting its outreach and travel links. Canada Outreach: Visit Detroit, the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau and Pure Michigan have paused Canadian advertising amid strained cross-border relations and weaker travel, redirecting campaigns to domestic and European audiences. Air Access: New nonstop links include Allegiant service between Grand Rapids and Santa Ana, plus Frontier’s Detroit–Los Angeles route, scheduled to start in late November. Winter Getaways: Snowriver Mountain Resort has joined an Ikon Pass partnership announcing resort upgrades and winter savings. Great Lakes Cruises: Cruise tourism generated a record $310 million in 2026, a boost for ports and visitor businesses around the lakes.

Winter Getaways: Michigan’s Snowriver Mountain Resort has joined the Ikon Pass, offering passholders up to seven days with no blackout dates. Ski-and-stay packages booked by Oct. 31 come with discounts on tickets, rentals and lessons. Tourism Marketing: At least three Michigan tourism organizations have paused advertising in Canada, redirecting some spending to U.S. and European markets as Canadian travel interest cools. Upper Peninsula Landmark: Historic Castle Rock near St. Ignace is for sale for $2.7 million. The 64.5-acre attraction draws about 75,000 visitors a year for its Lake Huron and Mackinac Island views. Ludington Beaches: City officials are weighing a proposed $15 daily or $75 seasonal parking fee at Stearns Park, a change that could affect summer beach visits. Great Lakes Cruises: Cruise tourism generated a record $310 million in 2026, highlighting the growing economic draw of Great Lakes ports. Local Tourism Support: Isabella County organizations have received state funding to support tourism and exploration.

Beach Access: Ludington is weighing a $15 daily or $75 seasonal parking fee at Stearns Park, with shorter paid hours also proposed. A mini-golf manager warns fees could cut community donations. Vacation Rentals: Boyne City will keep its 130-unit short-term rental cap while a committee studies the issue. Art & Culture: Frederik Meijer Gardens plans to open Thomas Dambo’s “TROLLS” exhibit in May, adding a major attraction for Grand Rapids visitors. Heritage: A Tawas Point Lighthouse presentation marks 150 years of the Lake Huron landmark. Winter Outdoors: The Keweenaw is pitching sled-dog outings, saunas and snowshoe trails for cold-season visitors.

Beach Access: Ludington is considering seasonal parking fees of $15 per day or $75 for a pass at Stearns Park and nearby waterfront lots. The proposal has drawn concerns about family affordability and lost mini-golf donations; the city is still revising the plan, with no vote taken. Great Lakes Tourism: Cruise ship tourism generated $310 million in economic impact across the Great Lakes in 2026, while Ludington shared in a record cruise season. Outdoor Michigan: A Peninsula Hiking Festival and winter offerings in the Keweenaw — from sled-dog outings to snowshoe trails — spotlight ways to explore the state beyond summer. Visitor Updates: New rapid beach-water tests could help Michigan communities make safety decisions faster. Detroit’s tourism bureau has also paused advertising in Canada amid trade tensions, while hoping Canadian visitors won’t hold a grudge.

Northern Michigan Getaways: Charlevoix County ranks No. 4 among Michigan retirement destinations, with lakeside towns, outdoor recreation and a median home value below the national average. Recreation at Risk: Local officials say 13 Consumers Energy dams help sustain fishing, tourism and community economies; the state is weighing a proposed sale as residents worry about the dams’ future. Up North Fall Fun: Nine marked pumpkins are hidden across Roscommon County, with clues from the Houghton Lake Area Tourism Bureau and prizes for finders. Great Lakes Cruises: Cruise tourism generated a record $310 million in regional economic impact in 2026, with Ludington among the communities sharing in the season’s gains. Grand Rapids Attraction: Frederik Meijer Gardens will host Danish artist Thomas Dambo’s first traveling Michigan exhibition, featuring 12 reclaimed-material trolls, from May 14 to Oct. 31, 2027.

Visitor Updates: Starting Jan. 1, 2027, untreated firewood from outside Michigan will be barred to help protect forests from invasive pests; heat-treated, certified wood is exempt. Beach Safety: New rapid water-testing methods could help Michigan officials make beach safety decisions sooner. Tourism Investment: Isabella County organizations received funding to support tourism and exploration, while lawmakers formed a new Legislative Trails Caucus. Great Lakes Cruising: Cruise tourism generated a record $310 million in economic impact across the Great Lakes region in 2026, with Ludington among the communities sharing in the strong season. Travel Marketing: Detroit’s tourism bureau has paused advertising in Canada amid trade tensions, saying it hopes Canadian visitors won’t hold a grudge.

UP North Getaways: A remote Keweenaw Peninsula Airbnb offers a stone-and-wood cabin, 12 acres of forest and half a mile of Lake Medora shoreline. Lake Michigan Escapes: North Bar Lake, near Sleeping Bear Dunes, is drawing attention for its quiet beach and shallow, warmer water—a family-friendly alternative to the big lake. Cruise Tourism: Great Lakes cruise tourism generated a record $310 million in 2026, with Ludington among the communities sharing in the strong season. Tourism Investment: Isabella County organizations received funding to support tourism and exploration, while Michigan lawmakers formed a Legislative Trails Caucus. Detroit Visitor Outreach: Detroit’s tourism bureau has paused advertising in Canada amid trade tensions, saying it hopes Canadian visitors won’t hold a grudge.

Tourism Planning: Negaunee hosts a public forum tonight to share findings from an MSU Extension assessment of the city’s visitor appeal, based on unannounced summer visits. Great Lakes Cruises: Cruise tourism generated $310 million in regional economic impact in 2026, while Ludington reported a record cruise season. Winter Getaways: Michigan communities are preparing winter festival plans, giving travelers new seasonal events to watch for. Travel Connections: Delta plans to launch Detroit–Athens flights in summer 2027, adding a nonstop option between Michigan and Greece.

Outdoor Update: Michigan DNR firefighters have contained the wildfire at Wetmore Pond, a welcome update for visitors to the Upper Peninsula. Harbor Springs History: A nonprofit is exploring and working to restore a 1929 property once used as a speakeasy casino, with reported underground tunnels and a colorful past; the site is now a private residence. Winter Getaways: Michigan communities are preparing winter festival plans, adding seasonal events for travelers to watch for. Travel and Tourism: Detroit’s tourism bureau has paused advertising in Canada amid trade tensions, while hoping Canadian visitors keep coming. Frontier plans to fly 2.5 times more from Detroit this November, helping fill a gap left by Spirit’s departure. Great Lakes Cruising: Cruise tourism brought an estimated $310 million in economic impact to the Great Lakes region in 2026.

Winter Getaways: Michigan communities are gearing up for the cold-weather visitor season. Frankenmuth’s Zehnder’s Snowfest, Feb. 3–7, will bring snow-carving teams and winter festivities to town. Travel Connections: Emirates has signaled interest in Detroit among possible U.S. routes, though no new service has been announced. Fall Outings: Seasonal draws include Jack-O-Lanterns Unleashed at the Ingham County Fairgrounds and Halloween events in Leelanau County. Tourism Industry: Detroit’s tourism bureau is no longer advertising in Canada, while Traverse City Tourism’s marketing director is taking a role with the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau.

Upper Peninsula Escape: A recent travel feature celebrates the Keweenaw Peninsula, highlighting its dramatic Lake Superior scenery, small-town character and sense of remoteness. Fall Outings: Haunted Leelanau and a twilight tour of Grand Traverse Commons offer seasonal reasons to explore; Ingham County’s Jack-O-Lanterns Unleashed features more than 5,000 pumpkins. Detroit Air Links: Emirates says Detroit is among cities it may add to its Dubai network, though no route is confirmed. Delta, meanwhile, plans to grow its Detroit operations this holiday season. Visitor Marketing: Detroit’s tourism bureau has stopped advertising in Canada, a notable change for efforts to attract cross-border visitors. Road and Weather: Northbound I-75 lane closures near Bay City begin Oct. 25 for concrete repairs. Mid-Michigan may see patchy fog early Sunday, followed by mild, mostly dry weather.

Destination Marketing: Detroit’s tourism bureau is ending its advertising in Canada, a notable shift as the city rethinks how it attracts visitors from across the border. Fall Outings: Grand Traverse Commons is hosting a twilight tour, while Haunted Leelanau and Jack-O-Lanterns Unleashed in Ingham County offer seasonal draws. Great Lakes Cruises: Cruise tourism is bringing an estimated $310 million to Great Lakes economies, with Ludington among the communities sharing in a record season. Trails and Safety: A new Michigan Legislative Trails Caucus aims to focus attention on the state’s trail network, while the DNR warns wildfire risk remains high in the Upper Peninsula. Traverse City Dining: The team behind Mama Lu’s plans to open Cantonese-inspired restaurant The Happy Cat while keeping the popular taco spot open.

Fall Outings: Stickley Family Farms in Colon has added Bonetown, a family-friendly hayride through a village of 37 skeletons, alongside its corn maze, pumpkin patch and other seasonal attractions. In Mason, Jack-O-Lanterns Unleashed lights a half-mile walk with more than 5,000 carved pumpkins. Outdoor Recreation: A new bipartisan Michigan Legislative Trails Caucus aims to support the state’s hiking, biking and other trail networks. Great Lakes Tourism: Cruise tourism brought an estimated $310 million in economic impact to the Great Lakes region this year, while Ludington reported a record cruise season. Getting Around: Bay City’s $112 million Lafayette Bridge replacement is 60% complete; the crossing remains closed as construction continues. Detroit Travel: The city’s tourism bureau has stopped advertising in Canada amid trade tensions, even as border communities depend on cross-border visitors.

Air Travel: Detroit-area fares climbed nearly 25% year over year, the steepest increase among the 50 largest U.S. metro areas. Frontier is also adding flights from Detroit this November, partly filling the gap left by Spirit’s shutdown. Cruise Tourism: Ludington shared in a record Great Lakes cruise season, with cruise tourism generating $310 million in regional economic impact in 2026. Detroit’s Food Scene: Detroit will host the 2027 Michelin Guide Great Lakes awards, putting the city in the spotlight as inspectors scout restaurants across the region. Cross-Border Travel: Detroit’s tourism bureau has paused advertising in Canada amid trade tensions, even as visitor numbers from Canada remain sharply below 2024 levels. Outdoor Safety: Michigan’s DNR says wildfire risk remains high in the Upper Peninsula despite cooler weather, so visitors should check conditions and follow fire restrictions. Fall Getaways: South Haven is promoting autumn wine dinners and Halloween events, offering visitors more reasons to plan a lakeshore weekend.

Detroit Air Service: Frontier has more than doubled its November departures from Detroit year over year, taking over 13 of Spirit’s 19 former routes. Six Spirit routes remain without replacement service. Great Lakes Cruises: The 2026 season generated a record $310 million in regional economic impact, up 25% from 2025, with 25,000 passengers and 880 port calls. Nearly 95% of itineraries sold out. Outdoor Safety: Michigan’s DNR warns that wildfire danger remains high in the Upper Peninsula despite cooler weather. Dry leaves, grass and gusty winds pose risks for campers and other visitors; recent fires have burned nearly 1,400 acres. Detroit Tourism: The city’s tourism bureau has paused advertising in Canada amid trade tensions, while hoping Canadian visitors will still come. Tourism Leadership: Traverse City Tourism’s marketing director is taking a new role with the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau.