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LUDINGTON — Tourism is expected to increase by 4 percent this year in western Michigan while the Ludington area finds itself closer to being one of the top destinations for travelers in Michigan.
The Ludington Area Convention and Visitors Bureau held its annual meeting this afternoon and announced the 2013 marketing strategy. The CVB is funded through an assessment (room) tax collected by lodging facilities and through membership dues.
Its primary mission is to promote the Ludington and it works in cooperation with the Ludington and Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce, along with several other community organizations, facilities and companies.
Since 2011, the CVB has more than doubled its marketing budget. In 2011 it spent $208,000 to promote the area and in 2012 spent $423,000. That marketing is being partially contributed to last year’s 12 percent increase in area room rentals. The CVB also saw a a 12 percent increase to the downtown Ludington visitors’ center and a 55 percent increase in general inquiries to the CVB.
Part of the increase in room rentals was also contributed to the construction of wind turbines in Riverton Township, in which construction workers stayed at area motels.
This year’s marketing campaign will spread the word about Ludington even more, including Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago. The CVB has contracted for advertising on the side of Chicago Transit Authority buses and for posters in CTA facilities.
CVB Executive Director Brandy Henderson said website traffic originating from Illinois was up 23 percent last year, letting the CVB know that Chicago is a market ready to visit Ludington.
The site, www.pureludington.com, has also seen increases in other regions: 33 percent from Michigan, 33 percent from Ohio, 15 percent from Indiana and 32 percent from Wisconsin.
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