TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) - Michigan's tourism industry should grow in 2007, but not by much, a new report forecasts.
Tourism in the state is expected to grow by about 2 percent this year, according to a forecast Tuesday by Michigan State University officials. The state's sluggish economy and gas prices are among the factors restricting the industry's growth to a modest pace.
'We expect 2007 to be another challenging year for Michigan's tourism industry,' Don Holecek, director of Michigan State University's Tourism Center, said in a statement. 'But it has been coping rather well under very difficult circumstances.'
The tourism industry managed to increase sales by 3.3 percent in 2006, although the number of tourists remained essentially the same as in 2005. Sales likely would have been stronger were it not for an exceptionally rainy fall color season, the Michigan State report said.
In 2007, the number of travelers in Michigan is expected to increase just 1 percent to 2 percent compared to last year. Travelers' spending is expected to increase by about 4 percent to 5 percent.
Travel prices are expected to increase by about 3 percent to 4 percent.
The state is expected to spend more money this year promoting Michigan as a travel destination.
The Michigan State report is tied to this week's Driving Tourism 2007 Conference in Traverse City.
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