In 2024, Grand Rapids and Kent County saw a record number of visitors. Hotel room sales reached 2,284,370, a 5% increase from 2023, marking a strong recovery from the pandemic's impact on the travel industry, according to WZZM 13.
"With nearly 2.3 million rooms sold in Kent County last year, I’d say the toll the pandemic took on the visitor economy is squarely in the rearview mirror." Doug Small, President and CEO of Experience Grand Rapids, reported that hotel revenue in 2024 reached $274 million, a nearly 6% increase from 2023, contributing an additional $15 million to Kent County's economy. Small has set a goal of $282 million in hotel room revenue for 2025, supported by ongoing growth strategies.
Group room sales in Grand Rapids reached 162,509, setting a new record. This number exceeded both the previous year's sales and the targets set by Experience Grand Rapids and the West Michigan Sports Commission. Experience Grand Rapids has set new goals for 2025 to surpass this record. The West Michigan Sports Commission, led by Mike Guswiler, was recognized for its contribution to the success.
