Photo courtesy of Visit Keweenaw Mount Bohemia was listed as a nationally recognized attraction in Keweenaw in a recent survey of residents.

KEWEENAW COUNTY – Michigan’s tourism industry contributed a total of $54.8 billion in economic impact to the state’s economy in 2024, says a July 29, 2025 release from Pure Michigan.

A study by Tourist Economics, released in July by Travel Michigan, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) found that 131.2 million visitors traveled to Michigan in 2024, spending $30.7 billion in destinations across the state, up 4.9% from $29.3 billion in 2023, generating $3.6 billion in state and local tax revenue.

Michigan’s visitor economy supported 351,292 jobs in 2024, which equates to one-in-17 of all jobs in Michigan, including 96,000 jobs in the food and beverage sector, the study found.

Michigan visitor economy GDP increased to $26.1 billion in 2024. This represented 3.7% of Michigan’s economy. GDP removes the value of all imported (from other states and internationally) goods and services.

According to the findings of the Keweenaw County Community Master Plan Survey, however, the county is not quite reaping the economic benefits implied by Pure Michigan.

According to the stockholder input summary of the recent Keweenaw County Master Plan Survey, Visit Keweenaw identified consumer changes in the county, citing more young and affluent visitors, creating a need for more community amenities.

Visit Keweenaw listed expansions of nationally recognized destinations within the county, including Copper Harbor trails and Mount Bohemia.

Visit Keweenaw is a membership-based marketing organization for the Keweenaw Peninsula, particularly Houghton and Keweenaw counties. The organization derives its revenue from a mandatory 5% room tax (motels more than 10 units or voluntary) from its members.

According to the Center Square, the state of Michigan levies a 12% lodging tax, it says is the fifth highest lodging tax rate in the country.

And while tax revenues are largely intended for continued marketing, Keweenaw County is feeling the strain of the increasing numbers of visitors.

In the stockholder input summary, the Keweenaw County Sheriff’s reported a 27% increase in service calls over the past three years, from 1,396 in 2021 to 1,777 so far in 2025. The Sheriff’s Office also stated a 50% increase in tourist related calls.

At the same time, there has been a 50% increase in Search and Rescue calls so far in 2025.

The department says its staff consists of six full-time deputies, and one temporary, part-time trail patrol person.

At a Master Plan community engagement open house event in Eagle Harbor on August 21, one attendee expressed more police presence is needed in heavy tourist areas like Copper Harbor, even if only seasonly, along with added control of traffic on Front Street in Eagle Harbor. At the same time, the Sheriff’s Office reports its staff is already strained by transporting prisoners to court, jail, medical appointments and similar duties.

The Sherman Township community engagement open house workshop heard that large numbers of snowmobilers visiting the Gay Bar strain the sewer system. The suggestion was also made to restrict snowmobiles and ATVs from unmarked trails. The Sheriff’s Office, however, reported it has just one part-time trail patrol person, adding that additional trail patrol is required.

In Grant Township, residents called for water/sewer infrastructure upgrades. Short-term rentals were also cited as a concern, contributing to septic field degradation.

Among the comments, “… obviously the area is getting promoted online and the summers are becoming increasingly chaotic and most of all noisy with traffic, obviously many of us (hear) tons of motorcycles traffic with apparently no noise standard enforced.”

Another respondent voiced similar sentiments, commenting: “Too much focus on promoting tourism and too little effort to provide the services and resources necessary to properly support them or the year round residents.”