GAYLORD -- The state hopes to lighten the load for travelers weighed down by record high gas prices in northern Michigan.
A new program will allow owners of trailer campers who visit state parks this season to store their rigs for free for up to 15 days at various locations around the state.
The goal is to save visitors the cost of transporting their campers between home and favored camping spots. State officials said they came up with the idea in response to sagging numbers at state campgrounds, where advanced reservations so far are down about 4 percent from last year.
"This wasn't about generating money for us. It was about getting people to continue to go outdoors and not having the fuel cost of hauling their trailers back-and-forth to their residences," said Harold Herta of the parks and recreation division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Around 30 storage sites will be set up at or near campgrounds throughout the state, including regional locations in Cadillac, Grawn, Grayling, Indian River, Northport and Petoskey, Herta said.
Other segments of the region's tourism industry also are rolling out promotions in hopes of enticing visitors. The Traverse City Convention and Visitors Bureau launched a "rebate rally" in April that offers room, shopping and restaurant discounts through June 12.
The campaign also includes a free $25 gas card for visitors booking at least a three-night stay in a member lodge. That promotion, as well as a "Girlfriend Getaway" package targeting female travelers, generated reservations for around 800 room nights so far, bureau officials said.
"I think we've had a good response," bureau President Brad Van Dommelen said. "I think people are looking for value opportunities."
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