Michigan tourism expected to decline in 2009

By AP

EAST LANSING, MI – EAST LANSING, MI (AP) - Michigan State University analysts say tourism in the state is expected to decline by 3%-4% this year. The forecast was presented Monday at a tourism conference in Detroit.

Analysts say travel spending and volume both will be down this year because of the economy and low consumer confidence. Michigan's tourism industry typically gets about 70% of its tourists from within the state, which has been hit hard by recession.

Tourism analysts say the number of visitors from out-of-state also may drop because several states are worse off in 2009 than a year ago. But tourists may find travel prices will be lower by 1%-5% depending on what happens with gasoline prices.