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FROM THE EDITORS: "GEO-TOURISM"
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MTB's editors, Don Holecek and Joe Fridgen, write about geo-tourism, one of the newest forms of "hyphenated tourism." Join them for a review of geo-tourism as it was presented earlier this month at the Travel Industry Association Outlook Forum in Florida.
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"GOVERNORS" ON TOURISM
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The publisher of Michigan Tourism Business recently contacted the offices of gubernatorial candidates, Dick Posthumus and Jennifer Granholm, to ask each of them a few questions about how they would handle issues facing Michigan's tourism industry, if elected as the state's next governor. Both candidates responded to questions about tourism promotion budgets, reorganization of state government, the Labor Day holiday, and challenges to sustainable tourism development. Click the link below to read MTB's EXCLUSIVE REPORT containing their positions on Michigan's tourism industry.
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ELECTION DAY REMINDERS
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 Representative Gerald Van Woerkom, chair of the Commerce Subcommittee on Tourism and Travel, speaks about the election outcome's impact on Michigan's tourism industry. He reminds us that, "the state is about to go through an unprecendented overhaul at both the executive and legislative branches. He also notes, "the biggest issue facing our state next year is declining revenue in the budget."
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ELECTION DAY RESOURCES
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The staff of Michigan Tourism Business have compiled a list of resources that you may find to be helpful aids in educating yourself about the upcoming election. We strongly encourage you to vote on November 5, since the tourism industry could be dramatically affected by the outcome of the election!
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ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERS
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View a list of current MTB and MTVTA partners and find out about partnership opportunities.
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GREAT LAKES CRUISING
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 Chris Conlin, President of the Great Lakes Cruise Company of Ann Arbor, writes about the continued growth of small ship cruising on the Great Lakes. Popular cruises offer educational shore excursions and onboard lectures, so passengers have the opportunity to learn about the history, geology and culture of the Great Lakes region, in addition to simply enjoying the scenery. He also discusses the many benefits that Michigan's ports of call receive from cruise ship tourists.
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TRADE SHOWS & CONFERENCES
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HOSPITALITY HIGHLIGHTS - POINT OF SALE SYSTEMS
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Dr. Michael L. Kasavana, an MSU Hospitality Business Professor has written an informative article about the applications of point of sale (POS) systems in the hospitality industry. In his article he reviews the six generations of POS, beginning with the pre-1960s and working up through the current day. He focuses on three types of user interfaces, including touch pads, flat panel terminals, and hand held terminals. He also writes about two exciting and significant developments related to POS systems, wireless applications and off-premises POS applications, and discusses how they may be used in restaurants and hotels to increase productivity.
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MICHIGAN TOURISM VIRTUAL TRAINING ACADEMY
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The first prepaid, self-paced Michigan Tourism Virtual Training Academy (MTVTA) course, “Overcoming Challenging Service Situations in Tourism,” is now available at the academy's portal web site. Log onto www.tourismcenter.msu.edu/MTVTA to check it out.
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BEEFREEWAY TRAINING TOPIC OF THE MONTH
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Sales are down in your retail department or maybe your hotel’s occupancy rate has dropped. To get the company back on track, your director has asked you to develop a marketing plan for 2003. But do you know how to create an effective marketing plan? Do you need a basic introduction of skills to get you started, or do you need a quick review of what you may already know?
In this month’s featured BeeFreeway training module, “Writing a Marketing Plan: Phase One”, you’ll learn the benefits of a strong strategic plan, how to establish goals and objectives, and how to complete a situational analysis that evaluates your competitors, your overall market, and the industry. You’ll also discover how to assess the strengths and weaknesses of your business. Find out how to improve your marketing so your business can thrive in today’s environment.
Click here to begin the FREE* online learning course “Writing a Marketing Plan: Phase One”. (*This software has been licensed and prepaid for by the Michigan Virtual University, a unit of the Michigan Department of Career Development.)
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TOURISM'S TOP TEN ISSUES IN 2003
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A recent brainstorming session among the members of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) resulted in a list of the top ten issues they expect will influence global hospitality in 2003. One of these issues is "Human Resources Issues – Finding, Motivating, and Retaining Employees," a topic likely of special interest to Michigan tourism businesses and one which may be addressed using some of the FREE* training featured in this eNewsletter.
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MICHIGAN TOURISM CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHT
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MTB staffer, Kathy Adair, poses with the MTB/MTVTA exhibit at the 2002 Michigan Tourism Conference, held in Dearborn earlier this month.
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EPA CLIMATE CHANGE & TOURISM WORKSHOP
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Climate change in the form of rapidly rising temperatures over the next century could have significant effects on winter recreation and tourism in the Great Lakes region. You are invited to join a community workshop at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville, Michigan on November 8, to discuss the latest science of how projected climate change in the region is likely to affect winter recreation and tourism and to explore ways to address the issue. This workshop is free-of-charge and includes lunch. Advance registration is requested.
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TOURISM INDUSTRY NEWS & REPORTS
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Michigan Tourism Industry News & Reports - Read up on the following topics: 1) agricultural tourism; 2) air travel & airports; 3) boating, beaches & water quality; 4) casinos; 5) cultural tourism; 6) economy & jobs; 7) hunting & fishing; 8) industry publications; 9) land use; 10) lodging properties; 11) outdoor recreation & parks; 12) restaurants; 13) retail shopping; 14) sports tourism; and 15) transportation.
READ THE LATEST NEWS ABOUT THESE TOPICS...
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National Tourism Industry News & Reports - Read up on the following topics: 1) agricultural tourism; 2) air travel & airports; 3) business & leisure travel; 4) casino business; 5) cruise travel; 6) cultural tourism; 7) economy & jobs; 8) industry publications; 9) internet travel planning & booking; 10) land use; 11) legislation; 12) lodging, resorts & spas; 13) outdoor recreation & parks; 14) restaurants; 15) retail sales; 16) transportation & rental cars; 17) travel agencies; 18) travel marketing; 19) waterfront development & water quality; and 20) world tourism.
READ THE LATEST NEWS ABOUT THESE TOPICS...
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NEW 9/11 MEMORIAL UNVEILED IN LANSING
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 Mike Bristor, a landscape architect with Landscape Architects & Planners, Inc. writes about his experiences developing a new 9/11 memorial for the City of Lansing. A 10-foot tall, 980-pound I-beam, recovered from ground zero in New York City has been reborn as a memorial to those who died last September. The memorial was unveiled on September 11, 2002.
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ECO-TOURISM MUSHROOMING IN MICHIGAN
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Joe Breidenstein writes about the increasing popularity of nature-based tourism in Michigan and its ability to enhance local tourism economies. He describes a U.P. trail system that has been projected to become comparable to the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone in scope and appeal. He also writes about eco-tours in East Jordan and mushroom outings near Walloon Lake.
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