Tourism in the Saginaw Valley and Thumb Areas of Michigan
By  Carl Osentoski, Executive Director Huron County Economic Development Corporation; Annette Rummel, CEO Saginaw County Convention & Visitors Bureau; and Dr. Tracy Weber, CEO Kaleidoscope Learning Circle, LLC

The snow has not melted yet and tourism activities are already occurring through the Saginaw Valley and Thumb Areas of Michigan.  The primary forces driving this tourism activity are festivals and events such as Shiver on the River Walleye Contest of downtown Saginaw, expected to draw in excess of 20,000 visitors and participants, the Zehnder’s SnowFest of Frankenmuth, expected to draw in excess of 150,000 visitors and participants, Shanty Days held in Caseville, expected to draw in excess of 2000 visitors and participants and candlelight cross country skiing at Thumb Area Parks, expected to draw several hundred skiers.
 
This region of Michigan expects that spring, summer and fall will continue to reflect a growth in tourism traffic.  The projection is that 5% more people will enjoy the amenities that Michigan’s Thumb and Saginaw Valley have to offer over last year’s counts. This very conservative estimate of growth is based upon projections by Michigan State University’s Travel, Tourism and Recreation Center, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s office of Travel Michigan and the positive growth being experienced within the economy.
 
During a joint meeting of the Huron County Economic Development Corporation (representing tourism in the Thumb), the Saginaw County Convention & Visitors Bureau and the consulting firm of Kaleidoscope Learning Circle, LLC the outlook for tourism growth in the future is strong.  “The confluence of an improving economy combined with joint marketing efforts, supported by technology and the attractiveness of the region is sure to increase tourism growth this year” stated Mr. Carl Osentoski, Executive Director of the Huron County Economic Development Corporation. 
 
The cross promotion between the Thumb and Saginaw Valley has a long history of success.  Throughout the years, efforts for economic development and business attraction have occurred.  “Regional partnerships are an important component in the successful promotion of tourism.  The arts, culture, recreation and entertainment opportunities within the Thumb and the Saginaw Valley are geographically positioned nearby substantial population centers.  They offer low cost/high demand entertainment venues that have a broad based appeal” said Annette Rummel, CEO of the Saginaw County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
 
Each organization has identified the travel profiles of the top visitors to their areas.  Michigan residents are the top users of the areas amenities, representing in excess of 65% of the visitor population.  This is closely followed by visitors from Ohio at 6%, Ontario at 3% and Indiana at just over 3%.  The top activities participated in during their visitation are shopping, dining, entertainment and touring.  Additional higher scoring segments include visiting historic sites and festivals, craft fairs and culture entertainment.
 
An established and growing segment of these visitors are comprised of baby boomers who are now retiring in greater numbers.  These people possess a high level of disposable income and now have the time to travel and enjoy the fruits of their labors.  “As the baby boomers become empty nesters enabling them to increase their leisure activities, the Saginaw Valley and Thumb Region hold the potential as a prime destination if they continue to offer exceptional customer service.  The tourism marketplace is diverse in their travel needs and desires; but a constant factor for success is learning from customer’s behaviors and developing an industry culture that evolves as customer’s change,” stated Dr. Weber, CEO of the Kaleidoscope Learning Circle LLC.