Employment in the Tourism and Entertainment cluster grew at a rate of 4.2% annually during the period 1989 to 1995. The forecast for the period 1995 through 2005 estimates a lower growth rate of 1.5% annually, close to the national average. To exceed this modest forecast, the cluster will need to improve substantially the image and recognition of the region to capture a greater share of tourism and entertainment activity.

This is why this cluster is strongly committed to building a collaborative, cross-county, effort to put the area's tourism and entertainment attractions on the "map" for residents in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and beyond. Given that this cluster's costs are lower than or competitive with the national average, the members of this cluster feel that the time is right to grow the region's tourist industry.