NEGAUNEE, Mich. (WZMQ) – What does Negaunee look like through the eyes of a first-time visitor? Tonight, the community found out.
The city of Negaunee partnered with Michigan State University Extension for a first impression tourism assessment – where unannounced visitors evaluated the community throughout the summer, taking note of its strengths and areas for improvement from a tourist’s perspective. The results were shared this evening at Upper Peninsula Brewing Company in an open community forum, inviting business owners and residents to hear the findings.
MSU Extension Community Development Educator Will Cronin says the UP has a natural advantage when it comes to drawing visitors. “Our region is so big in outdoor recreation, it’s such a nice place to visit,” says Cronin. “People come from all over the country, really, to mountainbike, kayak, hike, play disc golf, fish, hunt, and more. The region needs to really lean in on that.”
The First Impression Tourism program looks aims to help communities like Negaunee build on their strengths – turning first-time visitors into repeat ones.
