Summer Tourism: St. Ignace, Mackinaw City Gap May Be Narrowing
Area Businesses Report Good Season So Far
By Ryan Schlehuber

These vehicles are lined up to enter the U.P. at the Mackinac Bridge. The Mackinac Bridge Authority reports traffic is down 1.5 percent in May and June, compared to last year, but St. Ignace merchants are reporting a brisk summer tourism season.

Mackinaw City and St. Ignace are having a good year, despite the state and national economic rut, according to a few local businesses. They say a perception that fewer tourists are crossing the Mackinac Bridge and bunking only as far north as Mackinaw City is not accurate, and that a 2:1 gap between tourists in Mackinaw City and St. Ignace may be narrowing.

Chris Shepler of Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry, which operates from St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, believes St. Ignace is enjoying a better tourism season so far, at least for his business.

Several factors influence the perception that Mackinaw City is seeing more tourists and St. Ignace is seeing fewer. The Mackinac Bridge reports traffic is down 1.5 percent in May and June, compared to last year, the new Thunder Falls water park, which opened last year, offers another reason for families to stick around Mackinaw City, and it is enjoying a wonderful year, according to Mackinaw City’s Tourism Bureau, and Shepler’s Mackinaw Crossings mall and its movie and live show theaters are doing well.

New attractions in St. Ignace, however, are also bringing more people to town.

Mr. Shepler said the addition of the tall ship Roseway at Dock No. 2 and the sunset cruises on the Straits of Mackinac, in a joint program involving Shepler’s, Star Line, and Arnold Transit, could be narrowing the gap between St. Ignace and Mackinaw City.

According to the St. Ignace Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Sunset Cruises has attracted 873 people as of August 1, averaging a little over 100 people per cruise. Director Kelly Simmons said that exceeds the bureau’s projection per cruise by 20 people.

The St. Ignace Marina expansion has drawn in many boaters and has become an enjoyable destination for large boating clubs, she added.

This summer’s hotel assessments, in general, are down, however, said Mrs. Simmons, comparing hotel assessments to last summer’s can be misleading, since hotels may be offering more discounts, attracting more people at less cost for them this summer.

“I don’t believe any rumors that St. Ignace is seeing less tourists,” said Star Line General Manager Tom Pfeiffelmann.

Business for Star Line, he said, at least from the beginning of July and beyond, has picked up this summer by 10 to 15 percent.

“I don’t think St. Ignace is getting fewer people,” said Fred Dandona, who owns and operates KOA Campground in St. Ignace. “St. Ignace has been doing a very good job since I came to the KOA 24 years ago.”

Business for hotels in the area is up, said Glen King, general manager of Quality Inn of St. Ignace.

“My numbers have been up for the last three years,” he said, “though July is a down a tad, but I am very pleased about the way this year has been going.

“As far as I’m concerned, I think St. Ignace has done a great job. The sunset cruises have done really well and we’ve been able to attract some big conventions, such as the Red Hat Society.”

Dawn Edwards, Mackinaw City Tourism Bureau executive director and owner of Econolodge in Mackinaw City, believes St. Ignace is holding its own, and if there is any place struggling, it may be Mackinac Island.

“I’m getting a lot of people here who are not going to the Island because they said they’ve done it before,” she said.

Mrs. Edwards said her tourism bureau and many businesses in Mackinaw City do their best to promote not just Mackinaw City but the entire Straits area, especially for families and groups staying two days or more.

“We advertise a lot of the Straits area, including St. Ignace, such as Mystery Spot, Castle Rock, and the Sand Dunes,” she said. “St. Ignace is so much an important part of a family vacation experience for this area. I’m seeing a lot of people doing the ‘big picture,’” in which she said a family may stay in Mackinaw City but travel around on both sides of the bridge, rather than staying in one place.

On the St. Ignace side, Mrs. Simmons said Mackinaw City will always have an advantage in attracting more tourists, if only because most must travel through Mackinaw City to get to the “Gateway to the Upper Peninsula.”

Both communities are tourist towns, said Mrs. Simmons, but the difference is that St. Ignace works just as hard in establishing itself as a year-around community as it does with being a tourist destination.

She said in Mackinaw City, people enjoy walking around because there is more to see in a more compact area, whereas in St. Ignace, it is a bit more spread out. Also, the two communities’ parking scheme may feed a perception that Mackinaw City is busier and St. Ignace seems quieter, she said.

“All of Mackinaw City’s parking is right on the street, right downtown,” she said. “St. Ignace has its parking more spread out.”

Overall, though, said Mrs. Simmons, St. Ignace is doing quite well, notwithstanding the national and state economy.

“I think St. Ignace does a good job and it has kept itself true to what it is and who the people are,” Mrs. Simmons said. “St. Ignace has come a long way just in the 15 years I’ve been here.”

Tourist Trends

Both Shepler’s and Star Line have reported seeing tourists, in general, carrying fewer shopping bags these days, which can be an indication that they are not spending as much as they used to.

“It is that money that would have been for a boat ticket to the Island, or a box of fudge, or a souvenir T-shirt that they’re not spending,” said Mr. Shepler.

He added that the fast finishes in Mackinac Island’s two traditional yacht races helped business, since yachters and their families had more time to spend on the Island.

Mrs. Edwards said weekday travel is up, but, she added, it may be because rates are higher on weekends.

Mr. King of Quality Inn of St. Ignace notes that people are booking rooms for Sunday nights, which is traditionally the least busy day of the week with incoming visitors.

Mrs. Edwards said she is seeing more travelers in Mackinaw City that are on a more specific, rather than general, vacation agenda.

“I’m seeing more cautious travelers and shoppers now,” she said. “They are more precise with making choices on where to go and what to do.”

KOA’s Mr. Dandona said another trend that he is seeing these days is families opting to stay at campgrounds and parks longer, which can be less expensive than a hotel room. It is a trend he says he saw years ago that is making a comeback.

“People are staying five to 10 days now,” he noted.

He has had some of his long distance travelers cancel because of the rising gas prices, however.

Mr. King said St. Ignace businesses must do more than reap the benefits of annual summer tourist attractions, such as the St. Ignace Antique Auto Show, conducted by Ed Reavie of St. Ignace.

“I think sometimes we take Ed for granted,” he said. “Maybe we ought to be looking into more advertising.”

Mr. King said he definitely believes St. Ignace and Mackinaw City should continue to work together to promote tourism in both areas.

“We don’t care if it’s Mackinaw City or St. Ignace, it’s the big goal of attracting people to come to this area that we want to reach,” he said.