Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association lobbies for additional promotion to offset negative impact of Canadian wildfire smoke on their industry

LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) -The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association is asking the state to add $3 million in Pure Michigan promotion funding to offset the impact the negative impact of this month’s Canadian wildfire smoke on the tourism and hospitality industry in the state.

Director of Government Affairs Jack Trebtoske testified before the Michigan House Oversight Committee Wednesday.

“The MRLA is respectfully urging the Legislature to pass a supplemental budget allocating $3 million for Pure Michigan funding due to the Canadian wildfire smoke causing billions of dollars of negative economic impact in July. The Anderson Economic Group estimated that Michigan lost over $4 billion in earnings across industries from the fires in 2026 alone.”

“In recent years, several critical, revenue-generating summer days have been spent indoors to avoid breathing in hazardous wildfire smoke from Canadian wildfires which leads to canceled weekend trips, outdoor events or dinner on a restaurant patio and ultimately unrecoverable revenue loss for our hospitality industry.”