The mid summer bonfire on Agate Beach is seen in this undated photo. Visit Keweenaw will partner with the City of Hancock and Long Drink to host the midsummer Juhannus festival. (Daily Mining Gazette photo)

By MARY STEVENS

Houghton Daily Mining Gazette

CALUMET — At a press conference Tuesday, Brad Barnett, executive director of Visit Keweenaw, presented updates on the organization’s plans for handling the upcoming spike in tourism. Barnett especially focused on the economic impact tourism has on the Keweenaw in the Summer months.

“We are a four season travel destination here in the Keweenaw Peninsula,” Barnett explained. “The summer travel season, which traditionally kicks off in the beginning of July and runs through mid-September, accounts for about 40% of total visitor dollars spent in the Keweenaw Peninsula.”

According to numbers cited from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, there was a 9.6% increase in visitor spending in Houghton County in 2023. Barnett said most of this spending goes toward the local hospitality industry, with tourists visiting hotels, restaurants and local retailers.

“That spending really digs deep into our home communities,” Barnett said. “It helps generate property tax dollars, which supports public services, like our school systems, public safety, all those amazing things.”

Barnett believes the boost in interest in the Keweenaw is because of increased media coverage of the area. He mentioned that the Keweenaw Peninsula has been featured in outlets such as Midwest Living and Yahoo News.

“A lot of the good work that’s being done by our community partners and our team here at Visit Keweenaw continues to shine a spotlight on the Keweenaw Peninsula, driving demand for our region,” Barnett explained. “And of course the good work of our community and our regional news outlets continue to tell those stories that are happening in our community.”

Barnett also highlighted several of the new and improved events happening in the Keweenaw this coming summer, such as Juhannas. This midsummer festival is meant to celebrate the summer solstice and Finnish culture, and will begin on June 20th. Visit Keweenaw will be partnering with the City of Hancock and the Finnish Long Drink company to host the event. The multi-day festival will also serve as a fundraiser for the Copper Country Finns and Friends.

When asked about the public’s reaction to increasing tourism in recent years, Barnett said it’s a complicated issue, but that the community should welcome visitors.

“It’s always mixed because it’s a very complex industry. And when you think about it, tourism literally touches every facet of the community. So whether it’s new local roads, local restaurants, we all have a connection to the tourism economy,” Barnett insisted.

“One of the things that actually comes from our own market research is that tourism helps to justify the preservation of areas, in terms of property, experiences, and culture. So it’s one of those things I think our community loves and recognizes the economic impact of,” he added.

“At Visit Keweenaw, our goal is to be a good steward of both the community and the travel industry, easing out and smoothing out those rough spots as we see them.”

More information on upcoming events in the Keweenaw can be found online at visitkeweenaw.com.