Jim Powell, executive director at the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau, said he’s heard from members that they’re seeing a good number of bookings for summer travel.

“I think certainly we’re keeping one eye, you know, the economic uncertainty that … always seems to be hovering over on multiple fronts,” he said. “We had a really strong summer last year. I think it was close to a record visitation summer for us last year, and I think we’ll probably match that.”

Businesses spiff up for summer

On Mackinac Island, hotel operators are preparing for what they expect will be a solid summer season.

Hotel bookings for the first few months are flat or up so far, said Steph Castelein, managing director of the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau. Travelers are expected to start returning to the island this month as Arnold Transit Company and Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry resume spring service to and from the island on April 21.

While Canadian visitation dropped last year, it represents a smaller share of overall visitors to the island, Castelein said.

“Majority of our travelers and visitors come from our travel markets, so primarily Michigan, of course, and then into Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio,” she said. “We get a lot from Pennsylvania. But I don’t think that there was any big change in numbers for domestic versus International outside Canada.”

Mackinac Island is among the places in Michigan that will lean into America 250 celebrations. Plans include commemorating the semiquincentennial with Mackinac State Historic Parks conducting daily programs exploring the American Revolution. Visitors can explore the Soldiers’ Barracks, stop by a fully renovated visitor’s center and pass through a redesigned historic entrance at Fort Mackinac.

Other destinations across Michigan are also planning anniversary events, including The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, which is featuring a yearlong celebration called “America: 250 Years in the Making.”

Back on Mackinac Island, the Grand Hotel is offering a three-night America 250 package with special dining experiences, a children’s carnival, July 4 programming and fireworks.

There are a variety of changes and developments across venues and hotels on Mackinac Island, Castelein said.

Mission Point Resort is debuting Adirondacks Pizza, a new casual dining concept in the Mission Point Marketplace, where guests can enjoy handcrafted slices on the resort’s iconic great lawn.

When it opens in mid-May, Harbour View Inn will reveal a multimillion-dollar renovation that has transformed its guest rooms, suites and gardens. The project has been ongoing for the past couple of years as the inn has taken on new ownership, said Tawnya Johnson, chief marketing officer for hotel investment services for Harbour View Inn.

Last winter, the focus was on public spaces, followed by guest rooms this past offseason, Johnson said.

Johnson describes the upgrades as including “all refreshed interior spaces that feel very much like Mackinac Island. It’s really bright and airy, feels very cottagey and summery.”

In Grand Rapids, one expected draw is the city’s new $184 million Acrisure Amphitheater, a 12,000-seat outdoor music and entertainment venue opening in mid-May.

“It’s amazingly nice,” Korn said. “It’s brand new, so of course, it’s going to be great. But what a cool experience to be able to go into a downtown area and experience the nightlife and the energy of a city, and also see the music all in one trip. It’s where our city used to park their public works trucks and things, and the decision was made that there might be a better use for the edge of the river than that.”

In northwest lower Michigan, Brys said the Traverse City region’s growing food and wine reputation is drawing more visitors, with increasing national recognition and a rising number of wineries and acclaimed restaurants. That momentum is fueling interest in events like the Traverse City Food & Wine Festival, which he described as a major success in its inaugural run last year.

Brys Estate Vineyard and Winery hosted four festival events, which he sold out: “We saw just tremendous interest,” he said. “People were able to come and experience all the things that happened in Traverse City all in one week.”

In Petoskey, the Home2 Suites by Hilton Petoskey is expected to open this summer after about a year of construction, with the extended-stay property becoming the first new hotel in the area in roughly five years.

Powell said Petoskey is expanding beyond its traditional drive market, launching a marketing campaign aimed at air travelers, including a test push into the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

“One of the unique things that we’re doing this year was we’re actually going to reach out to a fly market,” he said. “That’s something we have not done before.”

Boyne Resorts’ Inn at Bay Harbor is now operating as an independent resort separate from the Marriott portfolio, allowing the property to add “refined culinary offerings and bespoke programming along the shores of Little Traverse Bay,” said Erin Ernst, Boyne Resorts spokesperson, in an email.

Boyne Mountain Resort and The Highlands are included in the resort’s portfolio of northern Michigan properties. This summer brings the second season of Doon Brae, The Highlands’ short course, which will be another attraction available for golf enthusiasts heading up north.

“We’re proud to play a part in what makes the Petoskey area a destination worth returning to summer after summer,” Ernst said.