Tourism is slowly recovering in northern Michigan three years after COVID-19 rocked the industry. Hotel occupancy in the region is almost back to pre-pandemic levels.
Summer seasons remained strong through the pandemic, but the region struggled to sustain business in the fall, winter and spring months.
Trevor Tkach is president and CEO of Traverse City Tourism, which serves Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties.
Tkach said there’s confidence that this year could produce better results.
“We're optimistic we're going to finally get everything back up, so that the annual occupancy averages out to be higher than what it was in 2019,” he said.
Traverse City Tourism wants to attract more businesses to the area for meetings and conferences to create a steady flow of business in the off-summer months.
And about eight new hotels will open in 2023 and beyond:
- Hilton Tru, across from Great Wolf Lodge on U.S. 31
- Fairfield Inn, next to Hilton Tru on U.S. 31
- Avid Hotel, U.S. 31 in East Bay Township
- Staybridge Suites, U.S. 31 in East Bay Township at the former Pebble Brook Adventure Park
- Residence Inn, along the same property as Staybridge Suites
- Hyatt House, Munson Avenue near the Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park
- The Alexandra Inn, U.S. 31 near Pointes North Beachfront Resort Hotel
- Marriott Autograph Tribute, U.S. 31 on Grandview Parkway
Meanwhile, Traverse City Tourism officials say short term rental capacity has also grown year over year.
