Hotels in and around Kent County reported record breaking revenue in 2011. The growth in hotel revenue in Kent County surpassed the average growth for rest of the state, and the nation as a whole. This is according to a report released by, Experience Grand Rapids, the convention and visitors bureau.

The growth in patrons and revenue can be partly attributed to large events such as ArtPrize and LaughFest. According to Michigan Public Radio:

Experience Grand Rapids president Doug Small says the city attracted larger conventions and more leisure travelers this year. “It’s a combination of very creative marketing, collaboration, wonderful events that continue to dot our landscape,” Small said.

Small also goes on to attribute some of the areas tourism successes to the Pure Michigan campaign.

The Michigan Public Radio website quoted these figures for hotels in 2011:

Kent County’s 70 hotels made a combined $114 million dollars last year, a 10-percent increase from the year before. In 2009 it was just $93 million. The hospitality industry employs 24,000 people in Kent County.

All in all, Michigan seems to be turning itself around, a