KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Known as one of the best in the nation, Western Michigan University’s hockey team usually packs Lawson Arena during their home games.
Discover Kalamazoo Director Jane Gosch says events like this along with craft beer are among the biggest tourist attractions Kalamazoo has. Gosch says it may be why the typical visitor to Kalamazoo skews younger, and tends to come from less than a day’s drive away. She says that’s also why Downtown Kalamazoo is the most popular destination here.
“Downtown is a huge draw for our visitors. Second biggest draw for us is Western (Western Michigan University),” said Gosch stating the reason why the visitors bureau now sponsors the information WMU Sends out to Bronco ticket buyers.
“If you’re gonna come for a game, then we say, while you’re here, here’s other things you can do in Kalamazoo while you are having your visit. ”
Gosh says tourism employs a lot of people in the Kalamazoo area resulting in more than 7,500 direct jobs created by visitor spending. This in turn creates 11,000 indirect jobs with Kalamazoo’s hotels and restaurants enjoying a faster recovery from the pandemic than most cities across the U.S.
Comments