This is my search interest forecast for May-July for Google search interest for places in Northern Michigan. The main project page for this forecast, and corresponding background information, is linked at the bottom of this page.

This is an important forecast because it gives the first glimpse of what the summer peak might be. Long story short, I expect search interest to be similar or higher for this summer peak as last year.

The Northern Lower peaks in July and the Upper Peninsula peaks in July/August. The Northern Lower search interest tends to be more weather sensitive in the summer (vs the Upper Peninsula is more weather sensitive in winter). Weather forecasts are currently about normal for this year.

One may wonder what the impact of gasoline prices might be on search interest, given the high gasoline prices that will most like continue through the summer. While I account for gasoline prices in my models, I have found that gasoline prices have less impact on search interest than one might think even during peak travel and tourism season.

Based on trends of the last year, I would expect search interest to be relatively similar or higher this year. This is good news and a reversal of negative trends for the last few years.