 |
| (Illustrative Only) Braman and Heidi love to travel they both work as digital nomads. They are thinking of starting or angel investing in a business down on Ludington Street. They love that they can take their sailboat here, rent a golf cart, listen to the bands, get groceries, play tennis, have lunch, attend a theater show, visit downtown nearby, hang out at the beach, fish, and listen to Raggie music. Ya Maaan! Braman is thinking about whether building custom golf carts and calling them Esky-Cabo Carts would create more tax revenue, allow for exports, service regional golf courses, and contribute to the brand and lifestyle? Maybe or maybe not? Attracting SME-Adventure Tourism |
Over the past few years, the city has turned a corner. Tourism is up, cruise ships come in, investment is up, social clubs are coming back, industry investment up, infrastructure improvements, and new businesses are coming downtown. Yes, we had a couple of fires that set things back, but even those sites can become opportunities for fresh development and new investors. Specifically the House of Ludington lot might have some strong value. (😢I used to go there many times with my Buick Guppy Gangster Mobile and would feel the old world charm. Good memories)
One thing I liked about this meeting was the focus on tourism. There was even discussion about allowing golf carts. A lot of tourist-friendly communities use them, and modern carts come with lights and safety features. Imagine riding around the park, catching some music, and stopping by the grocery store on the way home. It gets neighbors interacting and adds charm for retirees and digital nomads who want an easy, relaxed lifestyle (We got our own Esky-Cabo and Beach vibe going on! Nice and relaxed. Nothing like sitting on your boat in the summer, bass on the barbie and listening to Raggie or Folk Rock. Maybe walk down to the beach. Snow is Falling: Snow and Fire).
The other topic was the marina and the yacht club. People lined up to talk about the value the club bringx, and they’re right. Highlighting water activities—posting them on the building, getting them on the Escanaba website—helps with tourism branding. Tourism isn’t just events; it’s making sure people know what’s happening. There is long tail value to also consider in terms of food, hotels, tax revenue, etc. (A state run fish hatchery would also help the area for recreational and commercial fishing. Garden is getting some new port and ship launch infrastructure I believe. They both could help each other to maximize return. Perpetual Economic Systems)
One idea mentioned was offering classes. You could consider even building a certification program—something like boating safety or Great Lakes Sailing 101. Do it on-site and/or virtually, then offer an optional hands-on portion for people who want practical hours. Two certificates: one for coursework, one for on-water hours. It strengthens the yacht club’s brand and expands its reach and may spill over into hotels and dining accomodations. Come in for a week, stay at a hotel, use the club for classroom occassionally, take your water practical and expand boating in the area. (Doesn't necessarily have to be like this but... I was thinking of taking captain training online, because my friend has one and I know some captains. He bought a boat and is going to start fish guides and tours in his retirement. He asked if I would help him sometimes.)
Overall, the town is coming back in a big way. There’s interest, energy, and a lot of underused potential. And who knows—maybe one of those old downtown buildings becomes a golf cart shop with big windows and shiny custom carts inside. Just so the tourists and locals can salivate. People might come from out of town just to browse. Little sparks like that can create whole new local industries, revenue and exports if marketed and sold out of the area. Industries like that sometimes leads to other electric and small utility vehicle development.
One has to make their own judgement on what would or would not work but the process of thinking about it changes things. You just never know where things start.....
Feb 19th, 2026 City Council Meeting
Global golf cart market expected to grow steadily through 2034
-
Market value projected to reach about USD 3.7 billion by 2034
-
Growth driven by rising use in resorts, campuses, gated communities, and golf tourism
-
Electric and solar-powered carts are becoming more popular
-
North America holds the largest market share; Asia Pacific expected to grow faster
-
COVID-19 temporarily slowed demand due to course and resort closures
10 Tips for Increasing Marina Revenue
Good customer service and a clean, safe marina help keep existing customers happy and returning, which supports steady revenue growth.
-
Adding new services and amenities (like equipment rentals, events, or expanded repair and storage options) gives customers more reasons to spend at your marina.
-
Hosting events and becoming knowledgeable about local attractions can attract more visitors and create additional business opportunities.
-
Using digital tools like websites, SEO, and social media helps more potential customers find your marina and boosts bookings.
Marina Industry Boosts Outdoor Tourism
Outdoor recreation in the United States generated about $1.2 trillion in economic output and supported around 5 million jobs, with boating and marinas contributing significantly to that growth, according to Marina Dock Age.
-
Marinas and boatyards boost local economies by supporting boating, fishing, and related small businesses, though the industry still faces challenges such as labor shortages.
Key Drivers of Yacht Tourism- Boating Classes
The study used conjoint analysis with 484 yacht tourists to identify which factors shape yacht tourism preferences, including program quality, safety, service, accessibility, and economic value.
-
Yacht sailing programs ranked highest, but economic value (getting a worthwhile experience for the price) was also an important consideration for many travelers.
-
Experienced tourists focused most on program quality, while inexperienced tourists placed greater importance on safety and cost-effectiveness.
-
Overall, tourists preferred a package that offered a strong sailing program, solid safety measures, good service, easy access, and a sense that the trip delivered good economic value for the money spent.
No comments:
Post a Comment