Malayzia Mag Issue 7: The Thanksgiving Edition | Page 8

economic impact of $937 million.
On the social and cultural level, the study demonstrated that tourism contributes profoundly to the
area’s quality of life by supporting its large number of restaurants, wineries, microbreweries, galleries,
museums, festivals and retail shops. This includes significant support for Traverse City’s vibrant
downtown retail and entertainment district, which is enjoyed by local residents but is supported in a
significant way by visitors. With a population of approximately 15,000 residents, Traverse City could
not support the diversity, variety and quality of these amenities without the economic contribution
generated by tourism.
About Traverse City Tourism (TCT)
Organized in 1981 as the Traverse City Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Traverse City Tourism
(TCT) is a nonprofit corporation that serves as the area’s official destination marketing organization.
Its focused mission is to stimulate economic growth through the attraction of convention business
and leisure tourism development.
Traverse City Tourism works to enhance, reinforce and develop the Traverse City brand, telling the
Traverse City story to potential visitors through advertising, marketing, tradeshows, publications,
sales missions, media relations and Visitor Center services. Its experienced and knowledgeable
team members are motivated by pride for their community and a desire to advance its economic
wellbeing without sacrificing the values that make it such a special place.
?

TCT sales representatives showcase the community to meeting planners from around the
country, encouraging them to bring their meetings, conventions, conferences and sporting
events to Traverse City.

?

TCT marketing and media specialists place advertising in a wide range of national and
international publications, television and radio networks and electronic media. They invite
writers, bloggers and editors to the area to experience Traverse City first-hand. These visits
often result in an stories and articles that help build destination brand awareness, and have
helped bring the destination many national and international accolades in recent years.

?

Since 1995, TCT has operated a popular visitor’s center at the corner of Union Street and
Grandview Parkway. Staffed by over 100 trained and enthusiastic community volunteers, the
center is open seven days a week during the summer and fall and six days the remainder of
the year.

?

Visitors can call a toll-free number, 1-800-TRAVERSE, to request information and get
assistance with booking hotel rooms. In addition, TCT maintains a popular web site