Michigan Tourism Dips Again in the Second Quarter

Comerica Bank's Michigan Tourism Index fell one point in the second quarter of 2010, to a level of 91.

However, that's up two points from the year-ago level, and up four points, or 5 percent, from the cyclical Index low of 87.

The Index has averaged 92 over the first half of the year, up two points from the Index average for all of 2009.

The first quarter's reading was revised upward to 92, from the previously published level of 91.

"Our Index ticked down in the second quarter, paralleling the broad-based slowdown in growth evidenced in the national recovery during the same period," said Dana Johnson, chief economist at Comerica Bank. "Air traffic and casino revenues were roughly flat, with sluggish museum activity accounting for the downtick in the Index. Although lackluster, the general improvement in the Index over the first half of the year should continue, as personal and business discretionary spending as well as confidence in the National recovery improve."

The Michigan Tourism Index is a quarterly summary of six equally weighted, seasonally adjusted travel, lodging and entertainment data series. These series serve as a proxy for statewide tourism activity.

To receive this Index directly to your email inbox, go to www.comerica.com/econsubscribe to subscribe.

(c) 2010, WWJ Newsradio 950. All rights reserved.