Munising is perched along the south shore of Lake Superior, right at the entrance to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and has experienced remarkable changes over the past five years, due in large part to a surge in tourism.
Breathtaking natural beauty and wide range of outdoor activities make Munising a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts, helping this small city of approximately 2,000 residents boost the local economy and community life. I am.
The center of Munising’s tourist attraction lies on the majestic Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, a 48-mile stretch of sandstone cliffs, pristine beaches, and enchanting woodlands. This natural wonder attracts tourists from both Japan and abroad, and in recent years the number of tourists has hovered around 1 million annually. Many of them eat, drink, shop, and stay in Munising while also pursuing other outdoor recreation.
“In 2021, we welcomed 1.3 million visitors, generated $64.2 million in local spending and supported significant local wages,” said Cori Curley, Munising Tourism Board Chair. These figures highlight the important role of tourism in sustaining the local economy, even as the town grapples with challenges and fluctuations brought on by external factors such as the pandemic, which has prompted an influx of tourists. There is.
The influx of tourists has spurred the growth of local businesses, with numerous food trucks, coffee trucks, restaurants, and breweries popping up in recent years. Curley mentioned plans for Munising Marketplace, a large residential development that will incorporate a variety of amenities in the downtown area.
Additionally, we are expanding our range of accommodations, including cabins, large hotels, short-term rentals, and unique lodging options such as yurts.
Katherine Reynolds, CEO of the Greater Munsing Bay Partnership/Alger Chamber of Commerce, said, “Tourism is responsible for a large portion of downtown’s growth as far as business openings. “It has brought about (if not the same).” Executive Director of the Munising Downtown Development Authority. “This growth has created many job opportunities, benefiting both young residents and newcomers to the area.”
Pictured Rocks Cruises operations manager Zach Boucher said the impact was noticeable among local businesses, noting that the company saw a 25% increase in passenger numbers in 2021. The company offers a variety of cruises along the Pictured Rocks National Seashore during the tourist season.
“From my personal perspective, having worked in Munsing since my high school days in 2010, I can confidently say that the town has undergone remarkable changes. At that time, many businesses were struggling; It used to be that it didn’t exist, but now it’s a completely different story.”
To accommodate more passengers, the company has moved to a new fleet of boats designed to increase passenger capacity and comfort. The company is also increasing the number of trips while maintaining adequate staffing levels.
The growth of Pictured Rocks Cruises has positively impacted employment opportunities in Munising and the surrounding area, providing summer employment for retirees, high school and college students.
“We expect tourism in the Munising region to steadily increase each year for the next few years,” Curley said, emphasizing the need to gradually strengthen the infrastructure to support growth. “To provide an effective service, we need to meet demand and improve the experience for residents and visitors alike.”
The pivotal role of Pictured Rocks
With increased tourism and revenue from park fees, Pictured Rocks has undergone significant upgrades to its facilities to better accommodate visitors.
“We are pleased to announce the reopening of our main visitor center, which has undergone extensive renovations and upgraded facilities including restrooms,” said Amanda Corman, Acting Director of Interpretation and Education at Pictured Rocks. Ta.
The park actively collaborates with local businesses and Native American tribes to ensure the benefits of tourism are widespread. Collaboration with local vendors and community partners is essential to ensure visitor safety and compliance with park regulations.
Kyle Gilmore/Pure Michigan Corman emphasizes the importance of parks’ cooperative agreements with businesses outside the park’s boundaries, such as boat tour operators, who must abide by certain rules set by the park. The park’s conservation efforts extend beyond its boundaries, drawing on resources from nearby national forests and preserves.
“We believe in instilling these principles in our young visitors, who will become our future park managers,” Corman said.
She says the impact on Munising has been positive. She notes that in 2022, 926,000 people visited the park, spending an estimated total of $45.9 million in the region. These expenditures had positive spillover effects in the surrounding economy, supporting 549 jobs, generating $15 million in labor income, increasing value by $26.2 million, and contributing $48.8 million to overall economic output. The number of visitors to the park in 2021 was 1.3 million, a record high.
“This small community has a lot to offer, and increased visitor numbers are bringing jobs to the area,” Corman said.
Munsing’s heyday
Looking back, Munising’s heyday was probably in the 1920s, when it had a population of 5,037. According to the U.S. Census, it was a significant increase from its first reported population of 135 in 1880. Over the years, the population steadily declined, dropping to approximately 1,966 by 1980.
Like many small towns across America, Munising has undergone cyclical transformation. From downtown’s classic architectural brick and mortar buildings, including movie theaters, courthouses, candy shops, and numerous stores, hotels, and businesses that support a growing family-oriented neighborhood,
Over the decades, many of these buildings slowly disappeared. If you drove through Munising 10 years ago, you would have seen businesses going out of business and residents moving out, reflected in the demolished buildings that are now vacant.
Today, revitalized businesses are thriving old buildings, revitalizing the downtown area, and breathing new life into the community. Examples include the Feynman Building, now home to the Galley Coffee Company and Down His Wind Sports, and the Old City Hall Building, now the Picture Rocks Interpretive Center. These and similar buildings are benefiting from increased tourism.
Tourism has also allowed the DDA to focus on improving the aesthetics of downtown and encouraging tourists to spend more time and money in the area.
“People come into town, but they only spend a few hours in town, so we knew we needed to improve the look of downtown,” Reynolds said. We wanted them to spend the night. ”
To accomplish this, a variety of place-making initiatives have been implemented, including a facade building program, town-wide murals, a historic walk, Maritime Alley, a Veterans Mural Banner Program, and more. She emphasized the collaborative nature of these efforts and acknowledged the teamwork between DDA, the city, attraction operations, cruises and local tourism.
“This is our downtown business. It’s everyone working together that helped make this happen,” Reynolds said.
Tackling challenges
Increased numbers of tourists mean challenges. Managing the delicate balance between accommodating visitors and protecting the natural environment is of paramount importance.
“Pictured Rocks increases environmental awareness and encourages visitors to embrace sustainable practices,” said Tom Nemacheck, executive director of Upper Peninsula Travel and Recreation. This approach is critical to maintaining a balance with growth while maintaining the natural beauty that attracts visitors to the area.
Munising City Administrator Devin Olson is actively involved in strategic planning to address challenges such as housing and seasonal housing and infrastructure, which are being degraded by the influx of tourists.
“We have worked closely with developers to adjust zoning to support projects like Munising Marketplace that include residential units and commercial space,” Olson said.
This proactive approach aims to improve local amenities and address housing needs, while maintaining a balance between tourism growth and community well-being.
Future prospects
As Munising looks to the future, the consensus among local stakeholders is clear. Tourism has brought prosperity and opportunity, but it is essential that we continue to promote sustainable approaches that balance economic returns with environmental and community well-being.
The collaborative efforts of park officials, business leaders, and government representatives will help ensure that Munising remains a vibrant and welcoming place for residents and visitors alike for years to come. Extremely important.
Munising is a great example of a small town revitalized by the positive effects of tourism. With breathtaking natural scenery, a thriving economy and a strong sense of community, Munising is poised to continue its journey towards growth and sustainability.
Jennifer Champagne is an accomplished entertainment + visual effects writer with a passion for storytelling. When she’s not producing articles about industry giants, she’s enjoying life at her home in Middle Earth with her family and her three crazy golden retriever bimbos You can see that.
