Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association joins growing coalition calling for smart trade policies
April 24, 2026
Leading advocate for Great Lakes State hospitality joins call for policies that boost Michigan’s economy, welcome Canadian tourism
LANSING, Michigan — The state’s leading hospitality industry association is among the prominent advocacy groups to join the Michigan Smart Trade Alliance (MISTA) in its efforts to call on Congress to enact stable and consistent trade policies that are good for Michigan’s economy and tourism.
The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) has served Michigan's hospitality industry since 1921, supporting a sector that employs nearly 450,000 Michiganders and accounts for $40 billion in revenue across the state.
Tariffs are driving up the cost of food served in restaurants. They are hurting the ability of the lodging industry to refurbish or build new hotels across the state. And trade policies are playing a role in the decision by Canadian tourists to visit the Great Lakes state less frequently: southeast Michigan reported 30% fewer visitors from Canada between 2024 and 2025, which hurts hotels and restaurants.
“Michigan is a wonderful place to live, work and play and we need thoughtful trade policies to show those qualities to travelers,” said Justin Winslow, MRLA President and CEO. “Our organization is focused on ensuring Michigan is an affordable place to vacation and visit. We support the Smart Trade Alliance’s efforts to achieve consistent trade policies that will enable Michigan’s hospitality industry to thrive.”
The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association joins a growing list of MISTA coalition members, including the Detroit Regional Chamber, MichAuto, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Retailers, the Midwest Independent Retailers Association, the Michigan Osteopathic Association, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Midland Business Alliance and the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance.
“Growing support for the Michigan Smart Trade Alliance among such a diverse lineup of organizations showcases the widespread interest in consistent trade policies,” said John Sellek, a MISTA spokesman. “The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association brings a unique perspective to our ongoing efforts to encourage Congress to enact smart, consistent trade policies that lower costs for families and allow Michigan’s tourism economy to flourish.”
“At a time when we’re seeing a drop in Canadian visitors to Michigan and prices continuing to climb for Michigan families, it’s encouraging to see prominent, well-respected organizations join our call for smart and consistent trade policies that provide a boost to Michigan’s hospitality industry,” said Mark Fisk, a spokesman for MISTA.
