sleepingbear.jpg

Visitation to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore fell 12.5 percent in 2013, due in part to the federal government shutdown.

(MLive File Photo)

Update: This article has been updated with information from Mission Point Resort.

LANSING — While the federal government shutdown hindered visitation to Michigan's national parks last year, 2013 still proved to be a successful year for the state's tourism industry.

Hotels and motels brought in $112.9 million in sales and use taxes last year, up from about $108.5 million in 2012, according to researchers at Michigan State University.

Improving national and state economies suggest 2014 will bring more tourism spending, said Dan McCole, assistant professor in MSU's Department of Community Sustainability.

MSU researchers predict a 4.5 percent rise in the sales and use taxes collected by Michigan hotels and motels this year, after experiencing a 4 percent bump in 2013 and 6 percent increase in 2012.

McCole and his colleague Sarah Nicholls are expected to offer their annual report at the Pure Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism near Traverse City on Monday. The conference highlighted the increasing popularity of culinary tourism, a trend that's benefited places like Traverse City.

"More tourists today are interested in sampling regional wineries and craft brews, eating at restaurants that serve foods made with locally produced ingredients, and visiting unique cultural and historical attractions," McCole said in a statement. "With every new magazine article that recognizes a Michigan destination, and with every Pure Michigan ad, more people realize they can get these kinds of experiences in Michigan."

Related: Pure Michigan lures more out-of-state visitors; campaign targets Canada, Germany and England

National and state parks actually saw a decrease in traffic last year, with visits to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore dropping 12.5 percent. The popular attraction opened later than usual due to heavy snow cover and federal budget sequestration, and the park closed for about two weeks during the federal government shutdown in October.

But hotel occupancy rose nearly 2 percent in Michigan last year to 57.5 percent. It rose 1.5 percent nationwide to about 62 percent. Statewide vehicle traffic counts were up more than 4 percent, while Mackinac Bridge crossings dipped about 1 percent to nearly 3.7 million in 2013.

At Mission Point Resort, located on the east side of Mackinac Island, more than 55,000 people stayed for business and pleasure in 2013, said General Manager Bradley McCallum. It represents about a 5 percent growth.

He attributes "Pure Michigan as an important factor in the positive numbers"

"It’s due in large part to their efforts to promote our state and new visitors," he said while at the tourism conference.

The improved economy also played a role, he added.

"We felt like the economy was back; people were traveling and spending money," he said.

Mission Point, which offers 239 rooms and suites, 4 restaurants, and 35,000 square feet of meeting space on 18 acres, expects to grow another 6 to 8 percent in 2014.

"It’s proving to be a sustained growth period," McCallum said.

MLive reporter John Gonzalez contributed to this report.

Email Melissa Anders at manders@mlive.com. Follow her on Google+ and Twitter: @MelissaDAnders. Download the MLive app for iPhone and Android.