The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Research Unit recently released a report detailing the impact Arts and Cultural Tourism has on Michigan’s economy. The report finds that leisure spending for arts, culture and history account for $2.08 billion, inclusive of over 17.3 million travelers spending nearly 28.5 million days each year throughout the state. Overall, cultural tourism represents 17% of all leisure spending in Michigan ranking second to touring and sightseeing (28%).
A quick analysis of the report finds that arts, culture and history ($2.08 Billion) account for more than all of the combined:
Golf ($284 Million)
Winter Skiing ($238 Million)
Boating/Sailing ($87 Million)
Hunting/Fishing ($361 Million)
View Sports Events ($950 Million)
TOTAL = ($1.884 Billion)
The report shows a 2% growth ($262.7 Million) for cultural tourism in overall leisure spending from a report conducted by the MEDC Research Unit using 2008 data.