Marquette to tourists: We love you. We need you. But learn some respect [Video]

Re-education for ‘rude’ tourists

Complaints led Travel Marquette to launch the Respect Marquette County campaign urging people to spread out and not congregate at the same place, no matter how social media presents the area.

The blog is filled with tips directed at travelers’ behaviors, like respecting how the region comprises Anishinaabe tribal homelands or how e-bikes should interact with traditional cyclists and pedestrians.

“I don’t think people intend to wreck anything or do anything wrong,” said Estler of Travel Marquette. “They just don’t know. And so I think it’s a matter of education and just knowing when they come here that we want them to show respect for the area.”

To combat the potential for over-tourism Travel Marquette has been working with international consultants Destination Think on further approaches to make travel to the area sustainable. 

Estler said she sees some success: “One shining point, I think, is that this year compared to last year for residents seems to be better.”

Still, grumbles …