May 19, 2004
May 19, 2004
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Travel Michigan today announced that the week long "Travel Michigan Hidden Treasures Showcase" will kick-off Sunday, June 6, in the Upper Peninsula. The tour will highlight a sampling of Michigan's lesser known attractions, landmarks, museums, events, restaurants, and other state destinations ideal for summer travel.
The tour's goal is to increase travel by Michigan residents to the many and varied attractions, events and destinations in the state and to get Michiganians to spend their summer vacations and summer vacation dollars in Michigan.
The tour will run from June 6-11 and will feature two to three daily stops with the Governor highlighting a sampling of attractions and recreational opportunities in different parts of the state that Michiganians might include in their vacation plans.
"Traveling in Michigan makes sense for our economy, and it's a great way to get reacquainted with all of the amazing opportunities available right in our own backyard," said Granholm. "With gas prices increasing, you don't have to take a long trip, you can take a Michigan trip."
"Tourism is crucial to our economy in Michigan. Travelers spend more than $15 billion annually exploring our great state, and that visitor spending accounts for 188,000 Michigan jobs and $868 million in state taxes," said George Zimmermann, senior vice president of Travel Michigan. "We encourage Michiganians to use michigan.org, the state's official tourism promotion Web site, to uncover hidden treasures for summer travel."
Stops include:
Alpena - a visit to the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve
Benton Harbor - a tour of Mary's City of David
Brooklyn - Governor Granholm and special guest Jeff Gordon take to the race track at the Michigan International Speedway
Cambridge Junction - Governor Granholm as she presents the US-12 Heritage Group with a special designation at the Walker Tavern Historic Complex
Eau Claire - a visit to Tree-Mendus Fruit Farm for a cherry pit spit competition
Farmington Hills - a tour of the new Holocaust Memorial Center
Hillman - an elk viewing wagon ride at Thunder Bay Resort
Holland - a shopping excursion to downtown Holland
Houghton / Hancock - an Upper Peninsula kayaking journey
Indian River - a river rafting outing
Kalamazoo - a tour of the International Space Station in 3D and F-18A Hornet full motion simulator at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo
Marquette - a tour of the Marquette Maritime Museum and a performance at the Lake Superior Theatre
Midland - a bicycle ride along the scenic Pere Marquette Rail-Trail of Mid Michigan
Muskegon - a tour of the Hackley Home, historic site of the Muskegon County Museum, one of the rare intact Queen Anne style housing complexes in the region
Owosso - a train excursion aboard the Pere Marquette 1225, an historic passenger train better known as the steam locomotive in the book the Polar Express
Saginaw - a flat bottom boat ride through a wetland for migratory waterfowl, the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge
Saugatuck - breakfast at The Belvedere Inn Restaurant and Bed & Breakfast.
South Haven - a camping experience at the Van Buren State Park.
Follow along as the Governor travels these great attractions and destinations by going to michigan.org, the official Web site of Travel Michigan. Sign up to win a Michigan vacation getaway, a chance to win a one week Michigan vacation for a family of four - two nights in Holland, two nights at the Inn at Bay Harbor, and two nights at Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island. Other prizes include accommodations at the Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor and Detroit Tigers tickets. Go to michigan.org for details and to enter. Governor Granholm will announce the contest winners at the end of the tour on Friday, June 11, 2004, during the noon hour.
The week long tourism initiative is funded by the Michigan travel and tourism industry and other sponsors and is made possible through the support of the Michigan travel and tourism industry, including each destination on the itinerary. In addition, Dean Trailways of Michigan is supplying the motor coach and driver; Chevrolet is donating a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox and driver; MARVAC is supplying RVs for a camping experience; and the Michigan Restaurant Association is providing financial support.
Travel Michigan, a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, is the State of Michigan's official agency for the promotion of tourism. Travel Michigan markets the state's tourism industry and provides valuable visitor information services.
