Tourism Industry Economic Impact Analysis

The purpose of this RFQ is to obtain quotations from research firms to study the economic impact of the tourism industry in Michigan. This analysis should be able to provide key economic impact metrics, such as employment, business sales, GDP, and personal income, for the tourism industry in Michigan, as well as tax impacts. Economic impacts should also be summarized for Michigan’s counties and Prosperity Regions. Additional details are discussed under Scope of Work in the attached document.

 

Background of the Project

Travel Michigan is interested in understanding the impact of the visitor economy in Michigan: the number of visitors coming to the state, their spending, and how those trips and spending influenced the Michigan economy more broadly, in terms of employment, personal income, and state and local taxes.

Travel Michigan has most recently contracted with Tourism Economics to conduct this annual economic impact study, with the 2024 report finding that the tourism industry supported over $54 billion in total economic impact and over 351,000 jobs in the broader Michigan economy.

This RFQ is being issued for a similar report on the 2025 annual impacts of tourism in Michigan. To help accomplish this objective, the MEDC will make available key data from other vendors such as Longwoods International, as potential inputs to the successful bidder’s analysis.

More Details:

• Vendors interested in bidding on this project are directed to review MEDC needs reflected HERE and provide a proposal to the requestor indicated below. All questions shall be directed to that contact.
• Project length/timeline: 3-4 month
• Budget/Range: up to $100,000
• Please return completed proposal and quote no later than 5:00 p.m. on March 5, 2026 via email to [email protected].