The South Haven Van Buren County Convention & Visitors Bureau is launching a campaign that highlights the history of travel and
tourism’s impact on the community. The campaign includes educational materials for residents and visitors, as well as several videos featuring local South Haven community members. The videos highlight business owners, organizational leaders, and others as they
discuss the impact of tourism on them, their families, and the South Haven community at large.
“Travel and tourism is essential to South Haven’s economy and community, from job creation to the actual dollars brought into the community, ” said Jen Sistrunk, executive director of the CVB. “The amazing testimonial participants represent just a small portion of
the residents who are directly and positively impacted by those who visit our community. We’re grateful they decided to share their experiences with us.”
One interviewee, Sarah Peterson, is a lifelong South Haven resident that operates the Waters View Inn in South Haven with her childhood best friend, Kristina Lundemulder. As the B&B’s head chef and operations manager, she was happy to share her firsthand
experience of the positive impact the tourism industry has on South Haven locals.
“Tourism brings a lot of opportunity for those that were born and raised here. Without that industry, without that career, we would not be in South Haven,” Peterson said in her interview. “We would’ve had to look to settle other places. We would’ve had to take our
families outside of here and settle other places.”
The campaign highlights the start, evolution, and future of travel and tourism in South Haven. Other campaign participants include Joel and Heidi Gesiakowski, the owners of Taste; Roxanne Leder, the owner of Decadent Dogs; Jim Ollgaard, the president of the
Historical Association of South Haven; and Barry Fidelman, lifelong South Haven resident and member of the First Hebrew Congregation in South Haven.
The CVB is dedicated to supporting tourism to the South Haven and Van Buren County area through marketing and community enhancement projects funded by legislation, which requires lodging within the district such as hotels, bed & breakfasts, short-term rentals, and more to collect a 5% assessment from transient guests who stay in facilities with ten transient rooms or more. The organization strives to make South Haven a better place for both locals and guests to work, play, visit and live.
“For over a hundred years our city’s guests have helped grow our community to where we are today,” Sistrunk said. “I’m excited to see where that continues taking us!” For more information about South Haven travel and tourism, visit southhaven.org.
