Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary: An Analysis of Visitors and Residents at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Museum and Alpena Shipwreck Tours

This is the technical appendix for the results of surveys conducted in 2018 by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation at two venues associated with Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary: the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center (the sanctuary's visitor center) and Alpena Shipwreck Tours (a glass-bottom boat that operates in the sanctuary). Respondents were intercepted at both venues, asked to complete a short survey, and then recruited to complete a longer survey about the importance and satisfaction of various characteristics of their experience, their expenditures, and the activities they did while in the region. Using these data, the economic contributions of those who visited the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center and Alpena Shipwreck Tours are also estimated.

Key Words

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, maritime heritage, shipwrecks, economic effect, economic contribution

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Study Infographic — Sanctuary attractions like the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center and Alpena Shipwreck Tours raise awareness about protecting the Great Lakes and attract new visitors to the region. View the sanctuary visitor study infographic (PDF).