LANSING, MI--(Marketwire - January 6, 2011) - For the fourth consecutive year michigan.org, the state of Michigan's official travel and tourism Web site, has earned the title as the most popular state tourism Web site in America. According to reporting from an independent online measurement company, michigan.org received more visits than any other state tourism Web site in 2010.
"The Pure Michigan campaign has been the driving creative force to attract visitors to michigan.org, where we provide information on more than 12,000 Michigan tourism attractions, events, hotels, resorts and restaurants," said George Zimmermann, vice president of Travel Michigan, a business unit of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. "Consumers are responding to our award-winning campaign and social media efforts by seeking Michigan tourism information at michigan.org."
"The October launch of the official Pure Michigan merchandise, available exclusively through michigan.org, also contributed to the rise in site traffic," Zimmermann added.
Web surfers turned to the site 13,354,331 times during 2010, an increase of 18.9% over 2009. Consumers used the site an average of 37,724 times per day throughout the year. In addition, click-throughs from the site to Michigan tourism industry Web sites also set a new record, an average 18,287 per day, a total of 6,674,810 during the year.
Pure Michigan's social media efforts are also setting records. The number of fans of the Pure Michigan Facebook page increased from 24,265 at the beginning of 2010 to 184,911 at the end of the year, a 662% increase.
The official state travel and tourism site, michigan.org, continues to be a source for Michigan travel information and is just one component of the Pure Michigan online marketing and social media strategy. Internet users are staying up-to-date on the latest events and tourism news by joining the Pure Michigan Fan Page on Facebook or following @PureMichigan on Twitter. Web visitors can also get the inside scoop provided on the Pure Michigan Connect blog, comment on blog posts or submit a travel story as a guest blogger. In addition, visitors can upload their Pure Michigan photos to the Pure Michigan Photostream on Flickr, or watch the Pure Michigan commercials on YouTube and michigan.org.
Michigan's tourism industry is a vital component of the economy. Visitors to the state spend $15.1 billion annually traveling in Michigan, generating $850 million in state taxes and supporting 142,500 jobs for Michigan residents.
Travel Michigan, a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, is the State of Michigan's official agency for the promotion of tourism. Travel Michigan markets the state's tourism industry and provides valuable visitor information services. For Michigan travel news and updates, go to michigan.org.
Contact Information:
Contact:
Dave Lorenz
517-335-0007
Joanna Wilbee Amis
906-420-8046