TRAVERSE CITY — Traverse City has received recognition as one of the best beach towns in the world by Good Housekeeping, along with destinations like Miami, Los Cabos Mexico and the Caribbean island of Curaçao.
It’s one of many awards the cherry capital has racked up this year, including similar recognition from Travel and Leisure, USA Today, and Newsweek.
The team at Traverse City Tourism said they are happy to get all the recent recognition.
They also said it takes constant work to stay fresh in travelers’ minds, and you won’t find them resting on their laurels.
“Travelers have short memories,” said Trevor Tkach, President and CEO of Traverse City Tourism. “We get this accolade today, and some people will get excited about it, and then they’ll forget. We have to continue to endeavor to be recognized for the premium experiences we do offer.”
Tourism officials have been using these accolades to help spread the word about Traverse City to vacationers around the country.
“Depending on the year, we try to cast the net further with the help of the state to help grow awareness about this destination and try to find those customers that share our values and have an interest in our way of life, ” Tkach said.
Tourism officials are also tracking an increase in luxury-focused travel and a higher-end clientele coming to Traverse City.
You don’t have to look far for evidence of that, right behind the tourism office, a new Marriott is being built.
When completed, it will be one of the most luxurious hotels in the company’s collection.
“I think the nice thing about what’s being developed here is it speaks to people wanting to come and stay a little bit longer, maybe have a little bit higher-end experience, ” Tkach said. “So I think we’re starting to see an evolution of our customers.”
Traverse City has been doing more to attract these customers, like promoting travel for food, wine, and shopping opportunities.
City leaders said this shift in strategy will help promote more year-round revenue.
“With a diversified product line, more opportunities for meetings and events, continuing to develop all the great outdoor activities and indoor activities as well, that are accessible throughout the year, ” Tkach said. “These are all important steps in making sure that we have small businesses that can stay in business and more fully employed employees here in Traverse City.”
To view the recent report from Good Housekeeping, click here. For a longer list of recent Traverse City accolades,click here.