UPDATE: LANSING - Recent studies show an increase in people coming to the state of michigan to visit.

It’s the place that many, if not all, of you watching this calls home…and it also happens to be the place that many tourist are coming to visit!

A recent study by Michigan State University professors of tourism conclude that Michigan's tourism spending looks to increase by six percent this year…a market that currently brings in 17 billion dollars a year to the state!

For many that reside in Michigan,…it comes as no surprise.

“I really think that michigan has it all! There’s lakes, there’s the great lakes, you can go swimming…I mean, what can’t you do in Michigan?

“We’re not a one track pony like some towns."

Detroit, Michigan happens to be the focal point of tourist visting the state. In 2011, hotel occupancy around detroit saw a 10 percent increase, which happened to be the biggest increase of any of the 25 major markets, even in light of the fact that the state of michigan has seen a population decline.

The city of Detroit is what has proven to be the vital factor in attracting tourist to the state of Michigan and what people around the Detroit the area feels is so important has to do with the incredible variety that this city has to offer.

“Detroit has a lot to offer for people that want to get down and dirty and find things to do. It has a lot to offer, there’s a lot of ethnicity in detroit and a lot of different people here.

“I always say, when you come down to Detroit, and I’ve lived here for a few years, its got the big city feel but it also feels like your backyard.

Well that backyard seems to be getting bigger and bigger with visitors from everywhere.


ORIGINAL STORY: LANSING - Researchers at Michigan State University are finding that more and more people are coming to the state of Michigan to visit! There has been a tremendous tourism increase. Find out what those around Michigan think of it.