Understanding Tourism for Michigan Communities

Tourism is one of Michigan's main economic engines, with its abundance of agricultural, cultural, historical, and nature-based wonders that attract people from all over the world. The Understanding Tourism for Michigan Communities (UTMC) program engages communities, organizations, and resident/stakeholders collectively by exploring local and regional assets that, if leveraged strategically, can strengthen small town tourism destinations and economies.

As part of the UTMC program, MSU Extension tourism educators explore specific niche tourism markets with participants, such as -

  • Agricultural tourism
  • Cultural tourism
  • Nature-based tourism

Exploration into these unique areas of tourism allows participating stakeholders to generate and categorize a plethora of existing assets that can serve as a launching point to create and support a sustainable tourism industry. Additionally, UTMC highlights growing trends with tourist behavior and preferences, and offers a great opportunity for a wide-range of stakeholders to organize themselves in order to launch and strengthen small town tourism.

Yes, you and your workshop were the catalyst for all of what Destination Downriver is today. I don't thank you enough!  - Director, Brownstown Downtown Development Authority

Andy Northrop

Statewide Government and Community Vitality, Sustainable Tourism Educator
northro5@msu.edu
810-989-6331

Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).