MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Upper Peninsula has always been a popular destination for outdoor tourism, with 1.5 million visitors a year to Marquette County. Event speaker and former professor of geography, Dr Michael Broadway, asked the tough questions like, What does too much tourism look like, and How does it impact our communities? Event MC Jane Fitkin says tourism can be a good thing, but can also have a downside.
“This one takes a little bit of a different turn on an issue that is still quite important to many residents in the Marquette County and Upper Peninsula area, which is tourism and the impacts that it has on our communities and our environment, both positive and negative,” explained Fitkin.
Educating not only out-of-towners but also locals is the goal of tonight’s lecture.
“It’s important that education about responsible visitation of our natural areas is directed towards both residents and visitors.
Certain locations get a lot of publicity, like Pictured Rocks or the Porkies. Fitkin says close attention should be paid to these locations, as their ad campaigns are very successful in attracting crowds.
Be mindful of the areas that we’re advertising to visitors to come and look at to prevent heavy, you know, over, over visitation of our most beloved areas.
Tonight’s event was well attended by local residents as well as some of the 1.5 million tourists, headed our way
