The Pure Michigan tourism campaign focuses on attracting travel to Michigan -- but during the COVID-19 pandemic, travel to or within Michigan has been discouraged by the governor. | stock photo
The Pure Michigan tourism campaign focuses on attracting travel to Michigan -- but during the COVID-19 pandemic, travel to or within Michigan has been discouraged by the governor. | stock photo
Pure Michigan, a taxpayer-funded government marketing program, is spending tax dollars advertising tourism over the holidays, despite Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's warnings concerning traveling amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Michigan Capitol Confidential.
According to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, it is going to begin a Pure Michigan tourism campaign this winter season.
The new campaign is expected to start this month. However, Whitmer urged the state’s residents not to travel during the holidays in an attempt to minimize the spread of the coronavirus.
“We all know the next two months are going to be hard,” Whitmer said at a press conference covered by Michigan Capitol Confidential. “Too many people traveled for Thanksgiving, and we will see our numbers increase very likely because of it. And that’ll coincide with the next big holiday, Christmas, and too many people are considering traveling. And I’m reiterating, please don’t. About four weeks after that, we will see the impact of that.”
The Pure Michigan program is a big part of the Michigan tourism industry. State lawmakers approved $15 million for the program this year.
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