EAST LANSING -- A Michigan State University analyst says tourism spending in Michigan increased last year and should continue rising in 2012.

Dan McCole presented his annual forecast Tuesday during the Pure Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism in Grand Rapids.

He said tourism spending was up 8 percent in 2011, the second consecutive rise.

He and colleague Sarah Nicholls said the improvement happened despite summer weather that was cooler and wetter than in 2010.

Nicholls said hotel occupancy rose 7 percent statewide and 10 percent in Detroit last year, and that recovery continues at a steady pace.

McCole said higher gasoline prices should not be a big problem for tourism this summer. He says the people planning to take vacation trips are doing well enough financially to absorb the extra cost.