Upper Peninsula Among Top Value Destinations in World

Release Date

Michelle Grinnell
517-241-0251

Only U.S. Destination Recognized on Lonely Planet’s 2017 Top Value Destinations 

LANSING, Mich. –  Known for its natural beauty and vast outdoor recreation opportunities, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula received recognition today as one of the world’s 10 Best Value Destinations by Lonely Planet as part of its Best in Travel 2017 yearbook. 

The publication highlighted the Upper Peninsula as an under-the-radar destination with stunning natural beauty, charming small towns and attractions including lighthouses, hundreds of miles of beaches and waterfalls with Mackinac Island as a standout visitor draw. The Upper Peninsula was the only U.S. destination in the top 10 list, which included Nepal, Venice and Belize, among others.

“We know that the Upper Peninsula represents the purest of Pure Michigan, however it’s still a hidden gem for many travelers around the nation and around the world,” said Dave Lorenz, Vice President of Travel Michigan, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “This recognition acknowledges the stunning natural beauty, rich history, unique culture and world-class experiences that make the Upper Peninsula a must-have on travelers’ bucket lists.”

The Upper Peninsula offers some of the top natural attractions in the Midwest, including Isle Royale National Park, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park and Tahquamenon Falls State Park. It’s a place where visitors can explore the depths of historic copper mines, scuba dive Great Lakes shipwrecks, bike on world-class trails and visit more than 300 waterfalls.  

"What great recognition not only for our natural products and all they have to offer but for the hard working people who manage our hospitality industry in Michigan's Upper Peninsula,” said Tom Nemacheck, executive director of the Upper Peninsula Travel and Recreation Association (UPTRA). 

Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2017 is a collection of the world’s hottest trends, destinations and experiences for the year ahead. The travel yearbook highlights the top 10 countries, cities, regions and best value destinations that Lonely Planet’s experts recommend travelers experience in 2017.

Lonely Planet’s writers and experts spend time on the road in almost every destination on the planet, and each year they report which destinations are set to take off, offering travelers the best experience available. The destinations selected for Best in Travel must meet specific criteria. To be chosen, something special is going on in the year ahead or  a recent development has created a lot of buzz; that it offers travelers new things to see or do; or that the Lonely Planet team of experts thinks it’s been overlooked and underrated and suggests travelers visit before the crowds do.

"The Upper Peninsula still manages to escape the international spotlight," said Lonely Planet editor Rebecca Warren. "It's the best-kept secret by Midwesterners, which means prices are reasonable and crowds are comparatively light." 

For more information or trip ideas in the Upper Peninsula, visit http://www.michigan.org/hot-spots/upper-peninsula/.

Pure Michigan is a brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy. 

For more on the MEDC and its initiatives, visit: michiganbusiness.org. For Michigan travel news, updates and information, visit michigan.org.

# # #