Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25, 2026
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Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association and Michigan Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus Applaud Introduction of Legislation to Modernize Michigan Travel Office
LANSING, MICH. – The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) and the Michigan Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (MACVB) today issued a joint statement in support of legislation introduced by State Representative Will Snyder to reestablish the Michigan Travel Commission and Michigan Travel Bureau — which oversees the Pure Michigan brand — as a Type 1 agency structure with greater budgetary and operational independence.
House Bill 6246 updates the Michigan Tourism Policy Act's governance provisions for the Michigan Travel Commission and Michigan Travel Bureau. This is a step MRLA and MACVB describe as foundational to securing long-term, dedicated funding for the state's tourism marketing efforts.
"The revenue that the tourism industry generates for Michigan's General Fund is often taken for granted when it comes time to reinvest in hospitality," said Justin Winslow, President & CEO of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association. "Moving the Michigan Travel Office, which oversees Pure Michigan, to a Type 1 Agency is a critical first step toward a sustainable future for an essential industry that generated more than $6 billion in tax revenue for our state last year. We applaud Representative Snyder's leadership and look forward to working with him to prioritize the Michigan Tourism Forever Agenda in the coming weeks and months."
“Tourism is one of Michigan's most powerful economic engines, generating billions of dollars and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs across every corner of our state — from the shores of the Great Lakes to our small towns and big cities alike,” Julie Pingston, President & CEO of Choose Lansing and Chair of the Michigan Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus. “As an organization, we want to thank Representative Will Snyder for his leadership in sponsoring this legislation and being a champion for our industry. Elevating Pure Michigan to a Type 1 agency isn't just an organizational change, it's a statement of priorities. It gives our tourism promotion the stability, direct accountability, and long-term strategic focus it needs to compete with other states that are investing aggressively in their own visitor economies.”
MRLA and MACVB will continue working with Representative Snyder and legislative leaders to advance this legislation as a cornerstone of the broader Tourism Forever Agenda.
House Bill 6246 updates the Michigan Tourism Policy Act's governance provisions for the Michigan Travel Commission and Michigan Travel Bureau. This is a step MRLA and MACVB describe as foundational to securing long-term, dedicated funding for the state's tourism marketing efforts.
"The revenue that the tourism industry generates for Michigan's General Fund is often taken for granted when it comes time to reinvest in hospitality," said Justin Winslow, President & CEO of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association. "Moving the Michigan Travel Office, which oversees Pure Michigan, to a Type 1 Agency is a critical first step toward a sustainable future for an essential industry that generated more than $6 billion in tax revenue for our state last year. We applaud Representative Snyder's leadership and look forward to working with him to prioritize the Michigan Tourism Forever Agenda in the coming weeks and months."
“Tourism is one of Michigan's most powerful economic engines, generating billions of dollars and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs across every corner of our state — from the shores of the Great Lakes to our small towns and big cities alike,” Julie Pingston, President & CEO of Choose Lansing and Chair of the Michigan Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus. “As an organization, we want to thank Representative Will Snyder for his leadership in sponsoring this legislation and being a champion for our industry. Elevating Pure Michigan to a Type 1 agency isn't just an organizational change, it's a statement of priorities. It gives our tourism promotion the stability, direct accountability, and long-term strategic focus it needs to compete with other states that are investing aggressively in their own visitor economies.”
MRLA and MACVB will continue working with Representative Snyder and legislative leaders to advance this legislation as a cornerstone of the broader Tourism Forever Agenda.
About the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice and lodging community. Founded in 1921 as the Michigan Restaurant Association and now known as the MRLA, the Association represents over 5,500 Michigan foodservice and lodging establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 450,000 people and creating nearly $44.6 billion in annual sales. For more information, visit www.mrla.org and www.detroitrla.org.
About the Michigan Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus: The Michigan Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (MACVB) is a non-profit membership organization of Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) whose mission is to serve as the advocate for the travel industry and provide leadership to its members through education and communication. DMOs promote tourism and economic development for their specific communities throughout the world and MACVB represents over 55 destinations throughout Michigan. Learn more at visitmichigan.org.
About the Michigan Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus: The Michigan Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (MACVB) is a non-profit membership organization of Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) whose mission is to serve as the advocate for the travel industry and provide leadership to its members through education and communication. DMOs promote tourism and economic development for their specific communities throughout the world and MACVB represents over 55 destinations throughout Michigan. Learn more at visitmichigan.org.
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