Winter Recreation This study evaluates the economic impact of downhill skiers and
snowboarders on the Michigan State economy and local county economies. Using a
regionally stratified sample of skiers at Michigan downhill ski areas, a
manager survey of Michigan downhill ski areas (this survey had a poor response
rate), a simple linear regression model to predict visits to Michigan ski
areas and the Michigan Tourism Economic Impact Model, statewide and local
economic impacts were calculated. The study found that skiing and snowboarding
generate approximately $84 million in direct and indirect income impacts and
close to 4,900 jobs. The total impact of a "typical" downhill ski area is
close to $4.5 million in personal income and 383 jobs. Stynes, D., C. R. Nelson and J. A. Lynch. 1998. State and Regional
Economic Impacts of Snowmobiling in Michigan. East Lansing, MI: Department
of Park, Recreation & Tourism Resources, Michigan State University.
Web Link. This study estimates the economic impact of
snowmobiling in Michigan to regional economies and the state as a whole using
the IMPLAN input-output model. Statewide, the economic impact of snowmobilers
was $48 million in direct income and 2,500 direct jobs. With multiplier
effects the income impact was $93 million and 3,800 jobs. Approximately
one-third of this impact was generated by out-of-state snowmobilers.
Regionally snowmobile trip spending represents 11% of all tourism spending in
the Western UP, 7% in the Eastern UP, 3% in the Northwest Lower Peninsula and
3.5% in the Northeast Lower Peninsula.
Lake State Examples -
Other Examples
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Lake States
Examples:
Stynes, D. and Y.-Y. Sun. 2001. Economic Impacts of Michigan
Downhill Skiers and Snowboarders, 2000-01. East Lansing, MI: Department of
Park, Recreation & Tourism Resources, Michigan State University.
Web Link.
Gray, J., F. Li and S. Hamilton. 1989.
1988-1989 Wausau Ski Study. Madison, WI: Recreation Resources Center,
University of Wisconsin-Extension. Downhill and cross-country skiers in the Wausau area were interviewed in
the 1988-89 winter season to prepare a visitor profile and expenditure
patterns. Downhill ski parties spent on average, $363.85 during their trips
amounting to $5.4 million during the season. Cross country ski parties spent
considerably less than downhill skiers with an average of $45.87 per trip. Geiger, T. and A. Kempen. 1988. Lincoln County Winter Marketing Study.
Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin-Extension. The purpose of this conversion study was to find out the effectiveness of
advertising in the Milwaukee Journal Wisconsin Magazine. A sample of people
requesting the Lincoln County winter brochure were surveyed. In addition to
determining if people who requested the brochure visited Lincoln County, the
survey asked about winter activity preferences, length of stay, frequency and
money spent on these trips, and the types of media visitors used to obtain
vacation information. Cooper, R., S. Sadowsek and M. Kantor. 1979. Winter Recreation Visitor
Study Wisconsin 1979. Madison, WI: Upper Great Lakes Regional Commission. The study collected information on visitors to state parks in Wisconsin to
assist in future decisions about facility developments and improvements. Part
of the study examined the economic impact of visitors within a 25 mile radius
of the sampled parks. The study found the total direct spending was estimated
at about $9.4 million with indirect spending amounting to an additional $30
million. In addition, about 1,200 jobs were supported. Kantor, M., T. Wilson, R. Cooper and S. Sadowsek. 1979. Winter Recreation
Visitor Study, Marathon County. Wascau, WI: Upper Great Lakes Regional
Commission, Marathon County. The hospitality, recreation and tourism industry is a significant part of
Marathon County's economy. Because of this fact, it was important to find out
how demand for winter recreation was changing, who the visitors were and where
they came from and what their economic impact was on the county. From this
study, it is known where their target market can be found so that better
marketing can occur. Also, the study found that direct and indirect spending
amounted to about $320,000 and the employment would increase by about 7 jobs
over a 2-3 year period with an additional 1,000 winter visitors.