Page 22 - LRCC July 2023 FOCUS

Greater Lansing’s Tourism Industry on the Comeback Trail

walkable event that partners local artists with business in
Old Town, to show their work in non-traditional spaces. Potter Park Zoo attracts an average of 180,000
visitors per year. This year, Potter Park has
initiated conversation education stations
One of the local staples on the cultural scene is the throughout the Zoo.
Music in the Park series sponsored by the Grand Ledge
Chamber of Commerce. Music in the Park is a free
concert series that takes place every Thursday evening
through August 17 from 7 until 9:00 p.m. at beautiful
Jaycee Park along the river in downtown Grand Ledge.
Families enjoy the opportunity to picnic, music and a
really nice atmosphere.

“We have music for all ages and
interest and of all different genres,”
said Amy Hoyes, CTA, executive
director of the Grand Ledge
Chamber of Commerce. “It brings accessibility needs. GLCVB is currently conducting an
the community together to sit and accessibility inventory of all the services available in the
connect with each other in an open local hospitality inventory, so visitors to the region will be
park area. You can bring your own able to go online and plan ahead according to what each
food or enjoy some of the vendors facility offers. This fall, GLCVB plans a tourism accessibility
we have on site each week.” Hoyes summit which will include additional training for those
in the industry to be better equipped to meet the
Learn more about the Music in the Park series at accessibility needs of their guests.
www.grandledgechamber.com.
“The goal is for our destination to be welcoming to ALL,”
A National Leader in Sensory said Pingston.
Friendly Attractions
An Eye Towards the Future
Since 2018, GLCVB has been working to make the
community more sensory friendly for visitors Challenges remain as the industry continues
traveling on the autism spectrum. to dig out from the pandemic and like
Working with the Mid-Michigan Autism "An economic many industries is facing a workforce
Association, local organizations impact study shortage for which there is no short-
including Potter Park Zoo, Lansing term solution.
Art Gallery and Impression 5 are conducted in 2018
among attractions creating by Anderson Economic Despite the challenges, industry
sensory friendly programming. Group showed the local leaders feel the region is very
The Wharton Center for the tourism industry generates well-positioned for a robust
Performing Arts continues over $682 million in spending future.
to provide sensory friendly at local businesses and employs
performances every year. “Long term for the region we are
nearly 11,000 local residents. primed for great success,” said
“We’re extremely happy that this The region welcomes LEPFA’s Scott Keith. “We have
all came back after the pandemic 5.3 million visitors annually new hotels and new attractions
because that could have easily and contributes more than happening. We are always strong
gone away,” said Pingston. “Everyone $29 million a year in because we are the seat of state
made it a priority and it remains a big sales tax revenue government and we have a large
part of our community focus.” major university. Those things attract
to the state of conventions and entertainment offerings.
The Lansing region is gaining national Michigan." Being in the center of the state is great for
recognition for its work in this area. easy access.”
TravelAbility, a national magazine for people
with accessibility needs, has designated the “I think all of us understand that we need to
Lansing region as one of the top 3 destinations continue to strengthen the cultural and tourism
in the country for travel for those on the autism assets to keep pushing that forward,” said Impression
spectrum. 5’s Erik Larson. “I feel like we have a really great
foundation to build upon. We are creating some really
GLCVB trained over 1,000 front-line employees in the special, unique things that are Lansing specific and those
tourism and hospitality industry to serve guest with are things that we should be proud of.” l

22