covid 19 tourism and hospitality support grant

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Tourism and Hospitality Support Grant Guidelines

The Government of South Australia has established a COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grant to support the tourism and hospitality sector in South Australia.

Businesses in eligible tourism and hospitality sectors that have already received the COVID‑19 Additional Business Support Grant will be automatically paid top-up grants of $3,000 for employing businesses and $1,000 for non-employing businesses. No additional application is necessary.

Businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector with a turnover of greater than $2 million and $5 million may also be eligible for a further grant of $7,000 and $17,000 respectively (taking the total value to $10,000 and $20,000).  These businesses will need to apply separately and provide the required supporting evidence to receive the additional $7,000 or $17,000 payment.

This document provides guidance for COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grant. Please read these Guidelines before applying.

Eligibility

To be eligible for COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grant, businesses must meet the following criteria:

• Have received a COVID-19 Additional Business Support Grant (see Eligibility Guidelines );
• Have nominated as part of their COVID-19 Additional Business Support Grant application that they operate in an eligible industry sector as identified in the list of eligible ANZSIC classes;

Employing businesses with turnover greater than $2 million are eligible to apply for a larger turnover based COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grant provided they meet the following additional criteria:

• Employ people in South Australia*; and
• Have turnover of greater than $2 million and up to $5 million in 2019-20 or 2020-21 to receive an additional $7,000 payment (taking total value of the grant to $10,000);
• Have turnover of greater than $5 million in 2019-20 or 2020-21 to receive an additional $17,000 payment (taking total value of grant to $20,000).

* To be considered an employee, staff must be under the control of the business, receive regular PAYG salary or wages, and have Pay As You Go Withholding amounts as well as superannuation paid by the employer. An owner, partner, or beneficiary of a trust is not considered to be an employee for the purpose of this grant.

General requirements

Applicants must certify that they meet the eligibility criteria when submitting an online application.

Applicants will be subject to audit by the Government of South Australia or its representatives and will be required to produce evidence at the request of the Government for a period of 2 years after the grant has been approved.

If any information in applications is found to be false or misleading, the grant will be repayable on demand.

Information suspected to be fraudulent may be referred to the South Australian Police for investigation.

Grant Amounts

The COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grant available per eligible business is as follows:

• $1,000 for a non-employing business
• $3,000 for employing business with annual turnover up to and including $2 million
• $10,000 for employing businesses with annual turnover of greater than $2 million and up to $5 million (automatic payment of $3,000 plus an additional top-up grant of $7,000)
• $20,000 for employing businesses with annual turnover of greater than $5 million (automatic payment of $3,000 plus an additional top-up grants of $17,000)

Note: Grants of $1,000 for non-employing businesses and $3,000 for employing businesses will be automatically paid.

Grants are provided to support eligible businesses that have been adversely impacted by restrictions enacted by State or Commonwealth Government due to COVID-19.  This may include for example:

• Meeting business costs, including utilities, salaries, rent;
• Seeking financial, legal or other advice to support business continuity planning;
• Developing the business through marketing and communications activities; and / or
• Other supporting activities related to the operation of the business.

How to Apply

No application is required for the $1,000 grant for non-employing businesses or $3,000 grant for employing businesses. Payments will be made automatically based on information provided as part of applications for the COVID-19 Additional Business Support Grant.

To receive the larger (turnover based) COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grant, applicants are required to submit an application online via the Application Portal . All questions in the application need to be completed to ensure timely assessment and grant payment.

The online application must be completed by an Authorised Officer, being:

• In the case of a business that is a sole trader that employs, the sole trader.
• In the case of a business that is a partnership that employs, a partner.
• In the case of a business that is a body corporate that employs, a director, secretary, public officer or equivalent.

Note: It is permissible for an agent such as an accountant or lawyer to submit the application on behalf of business provided they have been instructed to do so by the above Authorised Officer.

Applicants must meet the requirements of the grant, including that they employ staff to be eligible.

COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grants will be provided to successful applicants by the Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF). Whether an applicant is successful or not will be determined by DTF in its absolute discretion. To access grant funding, applicants will be required to agree to  Terms and Conditions at the time of application stipulating obligations and conditions under which assistance will be given to eligible applicants.  DTF will not be legally obliged to pay any grant monies to an applicant.

Potential applicants should note that information received in connection with an application may be used and communicated outside the Government of South Australia for due diligence purposes and may also be provided to the Commonwealth Government and third parties engaged by DTF to assist with the assessment and processing of the applications received, together with program monitoring, reporting, auditing and evaluation purposes.

Opening Date

Applications open on 17 September 2021.

Applications for the larger (turnover based) COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grants must be submitted via the  Application Portal .

Closing Date

Applications close midnight 31 October 2021

Further Information

If you require further information to participate in the program please refer to the  FAQs or contact  [email protected]

DTF reserves the right to amend these Guidelines and application terms as required.

Applicants should be aware that DTF is subject to certain legislative and administrative accountability and transparency requirements of the Commonwealth Government and Government of South Australia, including public disclosure in accordance with Premier and Cabinet policy.

DTF will treat all information provided by applicants sensitively. Any information contained in, or relating to, an application, including information identified by an applicant as confidential, may be disclosed by DTF:

• to its employees, advisers or third-parties in order to assess, process and/or audit an application;
• within the Government of South Australia or other entities where this serves the legitimate interest of DTF;
• in response to a request by a House or Committee of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia or South Australia;
• where information is authorised or permitted by law to be disclosed; and/or
• where the information is already in the public domain.

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News Release

Ontario Supports the Tourism and Hospitality Sectors during COVID-19

2021 Budget Commits $200 Million to Help Stabilize Tourism Industry and Protect Jobs

March 29, 2021

Office of the Premier

Table of Contents

Quick facts, additional resources, related topics.

NIAGARA FALLS — The Ontario government is providing an estimated $100 million for a new one-time Ontario Tourism and Hospitality Small Business Support Grant and $100 million for a new one-time recovery program.

This significant investment is part of the 2021 Budget,  Ontario's Action Plan: Protecting People's Health & Our Economy , and will support the province's tourism industry as it recovers from the impacts of COVID-19. Total support from the Ontario government for the tourism, culture, sports, recreation, and heritage industries since the start of the pandemic now totals $625 million.

Details were provided today by Premier Doug Ford, Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance and President of the Treasury Board.

"The tourism industry is critical to Ontario's economy and we are providing significant financial support to ensure this sector will be able to survive the pandemic and contribute to our recovery," said Premier Ford. "These tourism operators and businesses employ local people throughout the province and typically attract visitors from around the world. Our government will continue to have their backs during this difficult time."

Prior to the pandemic, tourism generated more than $36 billion in economic activity and supported approximately 400,000 jobs in Ontario. As a direct result of the pandemic, the tourism sector has lost more than $18 billion in revenue alone and more than 200,000 jobs.

The Ontario Tourism and Hospitality Small Business Support Grant will provide an estimated $100 million in one-time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to eligible small businesses including hotels, motels, travel agencies, amusement and water parks, hunting and fishing camps, and recreational and vacation camps including children's overnight summer camps. Businesses must demonstrate they have experienced a minimum 20 per cent revenue decline and have less than 100 employees to qualify. Any small businesses that received the Ontario Small Business Support Grant will not be eligible for this new grant.

"This has been the most challenging year the tourism industry has ever faced. Previously an economic powerhouse for the province, tourism has been hit by the triple threat that COVID-19 represents - a health, economic and social crisis," said Minister MacLeod. "This critical funding will sustain regionally significant businesses, while protecting jobs in communities that rely on tourism investment."

The Ontario Tourism Recovery Program will protect critical jobs in communities across the province and sustain for-profit tourism businesses, which have had to fully or partially shut down during the pandemic. The program will launch later this year and support tourism businesses across the province as they adjust operations to reopen safely and focus on the domestic market during the ongoing crisis. The program will support businesses as they innovate, adapt and create new tourism offerings and experiences to attract visitors from around the world when it is safe to do so.

The Ontario Tourism Recovery Program will support established and proven tourism businesses that have been hit hardest by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. These are key employers and tourism generators in all regions of the province, including the North. Examples of eligible businesses could include resorts, tour boat operators, amusement and water parks, northern lodges and other tourist attractions.

"People in the tourism, hospitality, culture, sports, and recreation industries have been particularly hard hit by the necessary public health restrictions," said Minister Bethlenfalvy. "To protect jobs in these industries, our recent Budget invested an additional $400 million, bringing our total support to more than $625 million since the pandemic began. With these additional measures, we will ensure that Ontario remains a terrific place to discover."

Healthy people are essential for a healthy economy. With vaccines being distributed, hope is on the horizon.  Ontario's Action Plan: Protecting People's Health and Our Economy  provides the resources necessary to finish the battle with COVID-19, building on the government's record investments to protect health and jobs during the global pandemic.

• Ontario’s Tourism Economic Recovery Ministerial Task Force will also provide advice on how best to support the recovery and growth of the tourism sector.
• The government is also supporting non-profit tourism organizations through the $105-million Community Building Fund – to help them recover from the impacts of the pandemic.
• The government is committed to providing Ontario residents with support of up to 20 per cent for eligible Ontario tourism expenses to encourage them to safely rediscover Ontario. The province has set aside $150 million for this initiative.
• Tourism plays a critical role in the Ontario economy. Prior to the pandemic, tourism generated more than $36 billion in economic activity and supported approximately 400,000 jobs in Ontario.
• As announced in the 2021 Budget, Ontario is also committing $1.3 million in targeted support for resource‐based tourism businesses that have been impacted by the COVID‐19 pandemic.
• The 2021 Budget: Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy , brings total investments to $16.3 billion to protect people’s health and $23.3 billion to protect our economy. Ontario’s COVID-19 action plan support now totals $51 billion.

"Niagara is the crown jewel of Ontario's tourism and hospitality treasure, and has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The supports laid out in Ontario's 2021 budget show the government's commitment to helping this sector get through this challenging time and recover stronger than ever. From direct financial supports, to encouraging consumers and visitors to experience our region when safe, and the Tourism Tax Credit, Budget 2021 heavily invests in Niagara's local economy and key sectors. This budget is good news for operators and workers alike." - Sam Oosterhoff MPP for Niagara West

• Read the 2021 Budget: Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy
• Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.

Business and Economy

Information about Ontario’s economy and how to do business here. Includes economic development opportunities, research funding, tax credits for business and the Ontario Budget. Learn more

Learn about the government services available to you and how government works. Learn more

Jobs and Employment

We’ve got the resource and supports to help connect job seekers with employers. Learn more

Travel and Recreation

Learn more about hunting and fishing, provincial parks, festivals and events, and visiting Ontario. Learn more

Media Contacts

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Premier's Office

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Dakota Brasier

Minister’s Office

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Denelle Balfour

Communications Branch

[email protected]

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Further support for south australian small businesses impacted by covid-19.

The Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP Treasurer

Senator the Hon. Simon Birmingham Minister for Finance Leader of the Government in the Senate Senator for South Australia

The Hon. Steven Marshall MP Premier

The Hon. Rob Lucas MLC Treasurer

Date: Monday, 13 September 2021

A new jointly-funded package from the Commonwealth and South Australian Governments will give local small and medium tourism and hospitality related businesses impacted by ongoing trading restrictions and border closures, further financial support.

A COVID-19 Small Business Hardship Grant will also be introduced for those businesses that have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 restrictions but have not been eligible for previous small business grants provided since July’s 7-day lockdown.

The new COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grant and COVID-19 Business Hardship Grant programs will deliver about an extra $15 million in support to an estimated 3,500 local businesses.

The package will be split on a 50:50 basis between the Commonwealth and South Australian Governments, with the State Government to administer the program.

The new package includes:

• A grant of $3,000 for employing businesses with turnover less than $2 million
• A grant of $10,000 for employing businesses with turnover of greater than $2 million
• A grant of $20,000 for employing businesses with turnover of greater than $5 million
• A grant of $1,000 for non-employing businesses
• A new COVID-19 Business Hardship Grant of $6,000 for employing businesses with annual payrolls below $10 million and $2,000 for non-employing businesses who have experienced a minimum 50 per cent reduction in turnover over the eligible period and haven’t been eligible for previous business grant support since July 2021.

In addition, the South Australian Government is increasing its State funded Major Events Support Grant , to provide grants of up to $100,000 for large cancelled or postponed events, where attendees at the event were expected to be greater than 10,000, recognising the significant costs incurred with large events. For eligible events that have already applied for the $25,000 grant, they will now receive a top up of up to a further $75,000 to bring total assistance to $100,000.

The Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said this package comes on top of the Morrison Government's $9.5 billion in direct economic support to South Australian households and businesses since the start of the pandemic.

"Tourism and hospitality businesses have done it particularly tough as South Australia feels the impact of lockdowns in neighbouring states."

"That's why the Morrison Government is increasing support to these businesses and industries that need it most."

"Already, the Commonwealth has provided $50 million in COVID-19 disaster payments to South Australia, supporting the incomes of around 86,000 individuals and in partnership with the State Government, committed more than $36 million to small and medium sized businesses over course of the recent lockdowns."

"But there is light at the end of the tunnel. By sticking to the National Plan, agreed to by State and Territory leaders, we can safely ease restrictions and open up our economy."

"And as we progress towards our vaccinations targets of 70 to 80 per cent, the Morrison Government will continue to work closely with the Marshall Government to support South Australian businesses through this challenging time.”

“We will continue to work with the Marshall Government to ensure the South Australian economy bounces back.”

Premier of South Australia Steven Marshall said: “We have recently been recognised as the most liveable place in the nation and our COVID recovery plan is focussed on standing shoulder-to-shoulder with small businesses as we navigate our way out of the global pandemic.”

“While we have more South Australians employed than ever before in the history of the state, there is no doubt many businesses have been doing it tough during the global pandemic. These new grants will further support our hardworking small businesses who are the backbone of the state’s economy,” Premier Marshall said.

Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said: “This support will provide a helping hand to businesses in SA, particularly those in the tourism and hospitality industries, who continue to face challenging times as a result of ongoing restrictions.

“South Australian businesses have shown incredible resilience throughout this crisis. We’ve been with them every step of the way with unprecedented levels of support and continue to provide targeted assistance to those businesses still doing it tough.

“As we move towards vaccination rates that will allow us to further open up, this support will ensure businesses are there on the other side to employ more South Australians and contribute to our ongoing economic recovery.”

South Australian Treasurer Rob Lucas said the new programs were in addition to the jointly-funded Federal/State assistance program, announced in August, following the 7-day lockdown in July.

“Already more than $77 million in cash grants has been paid to over 27,000 businesses – from bakeries, butchers and hairdressers to beauty salons, gyms and automotive repairers - as we work to get the money out the door and into the pockets of hardworking businesses as quickly as possible.”

COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grant payments of $3,000 for employing businesses and $1,000 for non-employing businesses will be automatically paid to businesses in eligible tourism and hospitality sectors that have already received the COVID-19 Additional Business Support Grant. It is expected that these grants will be paid within a week. Applications for the new COVID-19 Business Hardship Grant and larger COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grants will open 17 September 2021 and will close on 31 October 2021.

For more information: https://www.treasury.sa.gov.au/Growing-South-Australia/COVID-19

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State Tourism Grant Allocations

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EDA American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation State Grant Allocations

The below chart shows the allocation of EDA’s American Rescue Plan State Grants, totaling $510 million. The allocation was developed based on the levels of economic injury, defined as employment loss and share of state GDP in the Leisure and Hospitality sectors (NAICS 71&72). The higher the level of economic injury in these sectors, the higher the state amount.

Note:  Due to a lack of the necessary current federally-sourced data on the above economic injury factors for Pacific Territories and Associated States, in order to ensure these territories received funding, EDA created a $10 million pool of funding for these territories, and then allocated each territory’s portion of that $10 million based on population.

For more information about State Grant allocations please contact  [email protected] .

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U.S. Travel led successful advocacy efforts to aid the travel industry’s recovery.

COVID-19 had a devastating impact on the travel industry. The pandemic’s effect on global travel has cost the U.S. economy billions in lost spending, imperiled the livelihoods of millions of American workers and jeopardized travel businesses of all sizes.

U.S. Travel led successful advocacy efforts to develop and pass federal measures to aid the travel and tourism industry’s recovery, including funding to enable the resumption of marketing and promotion to leisure travelers.

On March 11, 2021 President Biden signed into law a massive $1.9 trillion COVID-19 economic relief bill called the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) .

U.S. Travel successfully fought to secure billions of dollars in additional federal relief for all segments of the travel industry in the ARPA.

In addition, following passage of the ARPA, U.S. Travel endorsed the PPP Extension Act of 2021 and successfully lobbied Congress to enact the bill—providing hard-hit travel businesses and DMOs with additional access to this critical economic lifeline.

We worked with lawmakers to introduce and build support for the bipartisan Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act of 2021 (HCJRA) .

In addition, U.S. Travel led the development of the Pandemic Risk Insurance Act (H.R.5823) , which would create a federal program to help stabilize pandemic risk coverage in business interruption and event cancellation insurance.

Most recently, U.S. Travel advocated for a number of key travel provisions in the  $1.5 trillion omnibus spending bill , which includes the Restoring Brand USA Act to provide $250 million in relief funding to the nation’s destination marketing organization.

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The latest forecast shows that international inbound and domestic business travel are still far from a full recovery. Although international travel to the U.S. is increasing, it remains below pre-pandemic levels. Business travel is expected to grow in 2024 but at a slower pace. Domestic leisure growth slowed due to reduced consumer spending amid higher borrowing costs, tighter credit conditions and the restart of student loan repayments.

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Cobb travel & tourism to provide $2m in grants to support hospitality and tourism organizations.

Cobb Travel & Tourism to Provide $2M in Grants to Support Hospitality and Tourism Organizations   Applications for Hospitality & Tourism Workforce Employee Retention Grant are open until December 8   Cobb Travel & Tourism (CT&T) announced the launch of a grant program to help Cobb County’s hospitality and tourism industries combat unemployment and offset current workforce challenges. The Hospitality & Tourism Workforce Employee Retention Grant program will provide $2 million to art organizations, live entertainment venues, tourist attractions, and craft beverage makers for workforce recovery, recruitment, and retention.   “We know the pandemic greatly impacted the hospitality and tourism industry, and we are still recovering today,” said Holly Quinlan, president & CEO of Cobb Travel & Tourism. “All of us at Cobb Travel & Tourism are honored to distribute funds to the organizations that call Cobb home and enhance the workforce in the hospitality and tourism industries.”   Applications will open on November 1, 2023, for eligible local organizations. Funding will benefit up to 100 organizations with a maximum grant allocation of $20,000 to assist in recruiting, recovering, and retaining employees after the COVID-19 pandemic. Examples of approved projects include training or development opportunities, recognition and reward programs, enhancements in technology or equipment, recruitment advertising costs, background checks, testing and onboarding costs, job fairs, and networking and transportation assistance.   CT&T received approval from the Cobb County Board of Commissioners in January 2023 to administer an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant of $2 million to support Cobb County’s hospitality and tourism industries. Cobb County was awarded approximately $147 million from ARPA to lessen the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cobb County also provides funding in the categories of community health, support services, economic development, public safety, and county infrastructure.

About Cobb Travel & Tourism

Cobb Travel & Tourism is a 501©6 nonprofit organization with a mission to increase awareness of Cobb County as the premier Southeastern destination, attract visitors, and ultimately enhance the economic impact of tourism in Cobb County. Cobb Travel & Tourism is the only organization positioned to market Cobb County and all its assets as a 365-day destination. As the leading industry in Cobb County, tourism has a significant local impact, with visitors generating more than $2.4 billion in economic impact and sustaining more than 18,000 jobs.

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As summer nears, state tourism businesses pin hopes on winning more Pure Michigan funding

As Michigan gears up for another summer tourism season, businesses are hoping to cash in on what they expect will be strong demand throughout the state.

On Mackinac Island, visitors will notice numerous changes, including a two-year restoration at the Grand Hotel and the reopening of the Inn at Stonecliffe following a two-year, $30 million, property-wide transformation. In the Traverse City area, four hotels are expected to open in the next year to accommodate additional out-of-town guests in the popular tourist spot along Lake Michigan.

Operators are hopeful the summer season will be better for tourism in the state after emerging from a mild winter that negatively impacted snow-related businesses, particularly ski hills and nearby lodging. Hospitality and tourism leaders, meanwhile, are seeking the funding they say the state’s Pure Michigan campaign needs to keep visitors — and revenue — flowing into the state.

“We have the best state and I know we have the best campaign,” said Justin Winslow, president and CEO of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association. “We just need to make sure it's in front of as many eyeballs as possible.”

Pushing for promotion funds

Officials with Travel Michigan said earlier this month that results from the state’s Pure Michigan campaign show that travel is on par with pre-pandemic numbers and consistent with national trends. A group of hospitality and tourism leaders would like to keep that momentum going.

Earlier this year, the Michigan Hospitality & Tourism Alliance was formed from a collaboration of statewide and regional organizations seeking to boost funding for the state’s Pure Michigan campaign. The alliance is seeking $50 million for the fiscal year, which would more than triple the current funding.

“We as an industry maybe have become a little more disparate since the pandemic,” said Winslow, a founding leader of the alliance. “We all fought individual battles and had such an existential threat to hospitality, travel and tourism overall. We all went back to our own corners just out of survival instincts. And I don't think we were all communicating what we needed to for the success of all of us overall, and it shows up most notably in what happened to the Pure Michigan budget."

The effort has found some support. On Thursday, the Michigan House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Economic Development, and Lifelong Learning, chaired by Rep. Will Snyder, D-Muskegon, proposed a $40 million budget for Pure Michigan.

Pure Michigan's tourism advertising funding has decreased to about $15 million from roughly $40 million during the past two budget cycles, Winslow said: “That's just far short, I think, of what's necessary to meet the demand out there and the infrastructure that we've created as a state.

“And so I think we're leaving a lot of money on the table for Michiganders by not investing more in the Pure Michigan tourism campaign. And the alliance is trying to create a more unified and hopefully powerful place to make that message heard.”

Earlier this year, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proposed $20 million for the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund “to build off the iconic Pure Michigan campaign, on top of the $15 million in existing funding for the program, with a focus on talent attraction, labor retention and relocating to Michigan.” It is unclear if any of those dollars would be spent on promotional spending.

The alliance also announced earlier this year the creation of a bipartisan, bicameral “Hospitality & Tourism Caucus" that will work with the alliance to better understand challenges and opportunities impacting the industry. Those members include state Sen. John Damoose, R-Harbor Springs; Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores; Rep. Will Snyder, D-Muskegon, and Rep. Nancy DeBoer, R-Holland.

“The travel, tourism and hospitality industry drives the Michigan economy, and nowhere is this more true than in my District in northern Michigan and the Eastern U.P.,” said Damoose, the caucus co-chair, in a statement. “Given the unique challenges faced by this industry in the past several years — from Covid to regulatory burdens — it is critical that legislators come together to help.”

A 2024 SMARInsights Advertising Effectiveness Research for Pure Michigan report released this month showed that Pure Michigan advertising influenced more than 1.5 million leisure trips to Michigan from the national, regional and in-state markets targeted by the campaign. The report showed that out of the $16.9 million spent on advertising in 2023, Michigan saw a return of $9.21 in state tax revenue for each $1 invested.

“I guess it just goes to show that if there’s less advertising, we’ll have to rely on other means to fight for potential business loss,” said Tim Hygh, CEO of Mackinac Island Tourism.

The campaign also has an impact for Metro Detroit, said Christopher Moyer of Visit Detroit, an alliance member: "Every dollar that comes from Chicago to Detroit is one dollar that didn't exist in our economy before but now is here."

Moyer said the requested $50 million is a small fraction of the state’s overall budget — $82 billion for the current fiscal year — and “returns 10X back for communities throughout the state, for small businesses, for union workers, for the hotel workers in the city of Detroit who are part of the Unite Here labor union. They go to work because of visitors.”

Investing in upgrades

On Mackinac Island, businesses are hoping for another strong year when the island opens in May. Among the latest projects is the $30 million transformation of the Inn at Stonecliffe. The property will welcome guests starting in June.

The former mansion, built in 1904, and its 150-acre estate have had numerous uses over the years, including as a ski resort, college and hotel.

The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation took ownership of the property in fall 2022, closed it and restored the mansion, refreshed the summer house and added three three-bedroom cottages and a fourth one-bedroom cottage, said Kevin Doyle, the foundation's chief operating officer.

“All the rooms are kind of a custom bespoke feel,” he said. “In the mansion, there's 16 rooms. Every one of them is different. The summer house, there's 32 rooms. Every floor has a different feel. The mansion is more of a romantic charm feel. And the summer houses is a little brighter family, cheerful feel, if you will.”

The foundation also added a wellness center, two pools, a barbecue pavilion and a four-season event venue overlooking the Straits of Mackinac. The foundation acquired the nearby apple orchard and plans to offer beekeeping lessons and apple picking, Doyle said.

In Grand Traverse County, four hotels are expected to open this year or early next year, including an Avid hotel and a Fairfield Inn, said Trevor Tkach, president and CEO of Traverse City Tourism.

“I think that’s the testament to the commitment and the belief that demand will continue to grow for destinations like Traverse City,” he said. The area held its first International Fireworks Championship in 2023, and will expand this year as a two-day event. Another draw is the nearly 50 wineries in the region.

In Grand Rapids, Doug Small, president and CEO of Experience Grand Rapids, said they are projecting a 1.5% to 3% increase in visitors this year based on a leveling-off of room rates and occupancy: "What I like to say is, 'let's manage expectations.' Because ‘22 and ‘23 were so good … You can't grow that every year. You can maybe maintain it. So we maintain it through this year, or even increase by 1%, that's still a really good year.”

At Brys Estate in Traverse City, Patrick Brys said his family-owned winery is pretty well-staffed for the summer season. The year-round staff hovers around 25 employees. At peak times, the winery employs about 100 people.

The 155-acre property includes a winery, 44 acres of grapes, a guest house and a "secret garden" with 6,000 lavender plants. Business at the winery is up from pre-pandemic levels, with 1,000 daily visitors during peak times.

“People coming up can choose from a lot of different activities as far as wine tasting or specialized wine tours that take people out in the vineyard on stretch golf carts we call our wine wagons,” he said. “Obviously, they can visit our secret garden and lavender operation. And there's picnic areas down there. They can browse a lot of the products that are made from all the distilling of the lavender oils.”

Staffing up for summer

Hiring is also on the minds of tourist destinations and seasonal venues throughout the state. Mackinac Island needs about 5,000 workers on the island every year, Hygh said, with about 1,200 coming to work through H-2B guest worker visa.

“Our members will put an enormous effort in to get by. I think we're going to be fine," he said. "There's nothing that sticks out this year that shows that we would be down, but we continue to just keep advocating and fighting for more H-2B visas. That’s a constant.”

At Rare Bird Brewpub in Traverse City, co-founder Tina Schuett said they are preparing for an influx of visitors as the weather warms. People are drawn to the food and beer scene as well as nearby natural attractions, such as Sleeping Bear Dunes.

To accommodate extra visitors, the pub will expand beyond its year-round staff of 30 to about 40.

“We hire some seasonal staff, usually younger people, high school or college filling some of those gaps that we need just kind of support staff,” Schuett said. “It’s really tricky getting all the staff that we need because everybody in this town is fighting for the same employees and also with COVID we saw a lot of people leaving the industry. "

Schuett’s looking forward to the stressful and exhausting busyness of the summer season, she acknowledged: “It's when we make our money for the year. Our staff love it because they make a lot of money and they do really well.”

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