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Tourism businesses and organizations have a tremendous opportunity to ensure the continued growth and excellence of Minnesota’s tourism industry. Every effort is important.

Why Tourism Needs Funding

Leisure and Hospitality Jobs:
Minnesota’s leisure and hospitality industry accounts for more than 244,000 full- and part-time jobs and $3.7 billion in wages.

Job Growth:
The leisure and hospitality industry is projected to add more than 41,000 jobs between 2004 and 2014 - a growth rate of 17.5%. Only professional and business services, and education and health services have higher projected job growth.

Daily Impact:
Minnesota tourism generates more than $32 million in gross receipts/sales per day. The dollars travelers spend in Minnesota circulate widely into our local and state economies, supporting businesses and amenities that add to Minnesotans’ quality of life.

Return on Investment:
Every $1 invested in state tourism marketing returns an estimated $4.60 in state and local taxes, $20.40 in wages and $53 in gross sales.
Explore Minnesota Tourism, spring/summer 2000.

EMT Advertising Budget vs. Inflation, 2000-2005
EMT Advertising Budget vs. Inflation, 2000-2005

EMT Advertising Budget vs. Inflation, Projected 2006-2015
Explore Minnesota Tourism Advertising Budget vs. Inflation, Projected 2006-2015

Ongoing Resolutions for Explore Minnesota Tourism Council

Approved by Public Policy Committee on 11-26-07

School Year Calendar

Introduction: A change in current law regarding the start date or length of the school year is not necessary to make progressive change in Minnesota’s educational outcomes.

Increased learning outcomes are compatible with Minnesota’s tradition of summer.  There are many reforms proposed for K-12 education; all day-every day kindergarten, longer school days, increasing the number of education days per year, and many more.  Reforms that compliment students, families and the many businesses that depend on the school calendar can be accomplished.

Whereas, Minnesota claims one of the highest levels of K-12 learning in the country;

Whereas, increasing classroom time does not have to compete with Minnesota’s tourism industry;

Whereas, learning benefits and outcomes are important to the tourism industry;

Whereas, school calendars can have an impact on both family vacation options and seasonal employment;

Therefore, the Explore Minnesota Tourism Council supports:

Quality education as a high priority for the state;

A school calendar that addresses the best learning outcomes available while preserving Minnesota’s heritage of summer, includingpreserving a post Labor Day School start; and

Investigating other tools to increase learning outcomes before changing the start date or increasing the number of educational days in the school year.

Lodging Tax

Whereas, local economies around the state utilize the local option lodging tax to attract visitors from outside of their area ;

Whereas, the Minnesota lodging tax in M.S. 469.190 is to be used exclusively to market and promote tourism destinations through a variety of methods;

Whereas, the ability to fund these promotion efforts to a level that is competitive in the marketplace is critical to a destination’s success;

Whereas, the ability to impose a local option lodging tax to secure funding for these promotional efforts is critical to the promotion of  many of Minnesota’s tourism destinations.

Therefore, the Explore Minnesota Tourism Council supports:

The existing statute, M.S. 469.190, providing a local option lodging tax of up to three percent on the gross receipts from lodging and dedicating ninety-five percent of the gross proceeds only to marketing and promotion of tourism.

Tourism Funding

Whereas, tourism is a key sector of Minnesota’s economy, comparable to agriculture in its contribution to the gross state product;

Whereas, leisure and hospitality in Minnesota generates $10.2 billion in gross annual sales;

Whereas, more than $628 million is generated annually in state sales taxes;

Whereas, Minnesota’s leisure and hospitality industry employs more than 242,000 workers;

Whereas, every $1 invested in state tourism marketing returns an estimated $4.60 in state and local taxes; $20.40 in wages and $53 in gross sales;

Whereas, Minnesota tourism has slipped from 25th to 29th in overall U.S. state tourism budgets;

Whereas, Minnesota is being severely outspent by many of our competitors;

Therefore, the Explore Minnesota Tourism Council supports:

Funding to market Minnesota tourism with a goal of $20 million per year by 2010.

cforms contact form by delicious:days

• Tourism Council Minutes: March 4, 2008
• Tourism Council Minutes: December 4, 2007
• Tourism Council Minutes: June 12, 2007
• Tourism Council Minutes: March 8, 2007
• Tourism Council Minutes: December 12, 2006

Update coming…

Maureen Bausch - Retail
Mall of America
60 East Broadway
Bloomington, MN 55425-5550
Telephone: 952/883-8800
Fax: 952/883-8866
e-mail: mbausch@mallofamerica.com

Fred M. Bobich - Chambers
Ruttger’s Sugar Lake Lodge
37584 Otis Lane
Cohasset, MN 55721
Telephone: 218/327-1462
Fax: 218/327-0454
e-mail: fred@sugarlakelodge.com
Term Expires 01/02/12

Bonnie Carlson - Metro Region
Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau
7900 International Drive, Suite 990
Bloomington, MN 55425
Telephone: 952/858-8500
Fax: 952/858-8854
e-mail: bcarlson@bloomingtonmn.org
Term Expires 01/03/11

Merrill “Dutch” Cragun - Resorts
Cragun’s
11000 Craguns Drive
Brainerd, MN 56401
Telephone: 218/825-2700
Fax: 218/829-9188
e-mail: dutch@craguns.com
Term Expires 01/03/11

Chuck Dougherty - B & B
Water Street Inn
101 Water Street South
Stillwater, MN 55082-5150
Telephone: 651/439-6000
e-mail: chuck@waterstreetinn.us
Term Expires 01/02/12

John Edman (Chair)
Explore Minnesota Tourism
100 Metro Square, 121 7th Place East
St. Paul, MN 55101
Telephone: 651/296-2755
Fax: 651/296-7095
e-mail: john.edman@state.mn.us

Butch Eggen - NE Minnesota
7455 Crane Lake Road
Crane Lake, MN 55725
Telephone: 218/993-2909
e-mail: beggen@citlink.net

Term Expires 01/03/11

Randy Gutzmann - Fest & Events
Minnesota Festivals & Events Association
9760 - 103rd Street North
Stillwater, MN 55082
Telephone: 651/426-7220
Fax: 651/
e-mail: rwgutz@aol.com

Term Expires 01/03/11

Nancy Hanson - Trails
Minnesota Recreational Trail Users Association
4600 Winnetka Avenue North
New Hope, MN 55428
Telephone: 763/577-0185
e-mail: nancy@popp.net
Term Expires 01/02/12

Brad Jones - Convention Fac.
Rochester Convention & Visitors Bureau
30 Civic Center Drive SE, Suite 200
Rochester, MN 55904
Telephone: 507/288-4331
e-mail: bjones@rochestercvb.org
Term Expires 01/02/12

Senator Amy Koch - Legislative
115 State Office Building
Saint Paul, MN 55155
Telephone: 651/296-5981
e-mail: sen.amy.koch@senate.mn

Wayne Kostroski - Restaurants
3910 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
Telephone: 952/926-7478
e-mail: wayne@cuisineconcepts.com
Term Expires 01/03/11

Deborah Lloyd - Transportation
MLT Vacations
4660 West 77th Street
Edina, MN 55435
Telephone: 952/470-3179
Fax: 651/367-8701
e-mail: dlloyd@mltvacations.com
Term Expires 01/03/11

Julie Lunning - MACVB
Saint Cloud CVB
525 Highway 10 South
St. Cloud, MN 56304
Telephone: 320/202-6711
e-mail: Julie@VisitStCloudMN.com
Term Expires 01/02/12

Mark Novotny - Resorts
Hyde-A-Way Bay Resort
3489 Ford Drive NW
Hackensack, MN 56452
Telephone: (218) 675-6683
e-mail: hydeawaybay@tds.net
Term Expires 01/02/12

Senator Mary Olson - Legislative
124 State Capitol
Saint Paul, MN 55155
Telephone: 651/296-4913
e-mail: sen.mary.olson@senate.mn

Lisa Paxton - NCW MN
Brainerd Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce
124 North 6th Street
Brainerd, MN 56401
Telephone: 218/829-2838, ext. 111
e-mail: lpaxton@explorebrainerdlakes.com
Term Expires 01/03/11

Deanna Pekar - Campgrounds
7685 County Road 127
Brainerd, MN 56401
Telephone: 218/829-5697
e-mail: dpekar@charter.net
Term Expires 01/03/11

Cynthya Porter - Media
1276 West Broadway
Winona, MN 55987
Telephone: 507/452-1262
e-mail: email@cynthyaporter.com
Term Expires 01/03/11

Ingrid Schneider - Ex-Officio - U of MN Tourism Center
University of Minnesota Tourism Center
120 BioAgEng
1390 Ecklos Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108-6005
Telephone: 612/624-2736
e-mail: ingridss@umn.edu
Term Expires 01/03/11

Dave Siegel - Hospitality Associations
305 Roselawn Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55117
Telephone: 651/778-2400
e-mail: dave@hospitalitymn.com
Term Expires 01/02/12

Ted Siefert - Counties
533 9th Street
Red Wing, MN 55066
Telephone: 651-388-2223
e-mail: teds@hiawathamedical.com
Term Expires 01/02/12

Kathy Silverthorn - Southern MN
Red Wing CVB
420 Levee Street
Red Wing, MN 55066
Telephone: 651/385-5934
e-mail: Kathy@redwing.org
Term Expires 01/02/12

Representative Dean Simpson - Legislative
295 State Office Building
Saint Paul, MN 55155
Telephone: 651/296-4293
e-mail: rep.dean.simpson@house.mn

Charles Skinner - Lodging
Lutsen Mountain
P.O. Box 106
433 Ski Hill Road
Lutsen, MN 55612-0106
Telephone: 218/663-7281, ext. 1215
E-mail: charles@lutsen.com
Term Expires 01/02/12

Hank Todd - Travel Agencies
Carlson Destination Marketing Services
Station 8257
1405 Xenium Lane North
Plymouth, MN 55441
Telephone: 763/212-6414
e-mail: htodd@carlson.com
Term Expires 01/03/11

Sam Thompson - Tour Operators
Metro Connections
1219 Marquette Avenue Suite 110
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Telephone: 612/333-8687
e-mail: sthompson@metroconnections.com
Term Expires 01/02/12

John Valliere - Golf
Explore Minnesota Golf Alliance
7922 Wyoming Avenue South
Bloomington, MN 55438
Telephone: 952/826-6799
e-mail: jvalliere@ci.edina.mn.us
Term Expires 01/02/12

Representative John Ward - Legislative
533 State Office Building
Saint Paul, MN 55155
Telephone: 651/296-4333
e-mail: rep.john.ward@house.mn

Annual Economic Impact

Travel/tourism in Minnesota generates:

• $9.2 billion in gross receipts/sales
• $1 billion in state and local tax revenue

Travelers in Minnesota: 28.6 million

Tourism: a Key Part of our Economy

• Tourism diversifies the Minnesota economy and expands economic activity by bringing new money into the state and local communities.
• Minnesota tourism generates more than $25 million in gross receipts/sales per day
• Tourism is a key sector of Minnesota’s economy, comparable to agriculture in its contributions to the gross state product.

Return on Tourism Investment

Tourism marketing provides a measurable return on investment. Every $1 invested in tourism marketing returns an estimated $4.60 in new state and local taxes, $20.40 in wages and $53 in gross sales. (Based on Minnesota Office of Tourism Advertising, 2000)

Travelers and Destinations

The number of travelers in Minnesota is almost five times the total population of the state.

Person-trips to and through Minnesota (2003):
(One person on one trip includes overnight trips and day trips over 50 miles.)

• US leisure travelers ………………………………………23.8 million
• US business travelers………………………………………3.9 million
• International travelers……………………………………….0.7 million
• Total US and international travelers in Minnesota…28.6 million*

*Total includes .2 million US travelers not specifically identified as leisure or business travelers.

Source: Travel Industry of America, TravelScope

Out-of-state visitors: 11.1 million visitors to Minnesota travel from other states, including 78% of business travelers in Minnesota. Out-of-state visitors outspend resident travelers in Minnesota.

Top home states of non-resident travelers (in order): Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Missouri, Michigan, Texas, Nebraska and California. About 84% of all overnight pleasure travelers to Minnesota come from the North Central region.

For more research on tourism in Minnesota, see Explore Minnesota Tourism’s industry Web site.

Sub Pages List

• Jobs, Impact, ROI
• Why Funding is Needed
• Tourism Budgets
• Sales Tax by County
• Jobs by County

• Press Releases
• Fact Sheets

Sub Pages List

• Press Releases
• Fact Sheets

The statewide Explore Minnesota Tourism Council is appointed by the Minnesota Governor to provide broad-based input into the programs of Explore Minnesota Tourism. This council, representing various facets of the tourism industry, advises on issues related to the programs and policies of Explore Minnesota Tourism and works to improve partnerships and communication between this state office and the industry.

Sub Pages List

• Council Members
• Upcoming Schedule
• Meeting Minutes
• Resolutions
• Contact Us

The Council is focusing on four areas critical to the development and growth of Minnesota tourism:

• Tourism Awareness
• Funding: Currently, Minnesota tourism has slipped from 25^th to 30^th in overall U.S. state tourism budgets. We are being severely outspent by many of our competitors. The Council has established a goal of significantly increased funding to market Minnesota tourism.
• Marketing: Innovative technology based - consumer generated content focusing on exploreminnesota.com
• Partnerships

In addition, we work on program development and public policy issues at both the state and federal level.

Tourism businesses and organizations have a tremendous opportunity to ensure the continued growth and excellence of Minnesota’s tourism industry. Every effort is important.

Tourism and the Economy

Annual Economic Impact

Travel/tourism in Minnesota generates:

• $9.2 billion in gross receipts/sales
• $1 billion in state and local tax revenue

Travelers in Minnesota: 28.6 million

Tourism: a Key Part of our Economy

• Tourism diversifies the Minnesota economy and expands economic activity by bringing new money into the state and local communities.
• Minnesota tourism generates more than $25 million in gross receipts/sales per day
• Tourism is a key sector of Minnesota’s economy, comparable to agriculture in its contributions to the gross state product.

Return on Tourism Investment

Tourism marketing provides a measurable return on investment. Every $1 invested in tourism marketing returns an estimated $4.60 in new state and local taxes, $20.40 in wages and $53 in gross sales. (Based on Minnesota Office of Tourism Advertising, 2000)

Travelers and Destinations

The number of travelers in Minnesota is almost five times the total population of the state.

Person-trips to and through Minnesota (2003):
(One person on one trip includes overnight trips and day trips over 50 miles.)

• US leisure travelers ………………………………………23.8 million
• US business travelers………………………………………3.9 million
• International travelers……………………………………….0.7 million
• Total US and international travelers in Minnesota…28.6 million*

*Total includes .2 million US travelers not specifically identified as leisure or business travelers.

Source: Travel Industry of America, TravelScope

Out-of-state visitors: 11.1 million visitors to Minnesota travel from other states, including 78% of business travelers in Minnesota. Out-of-state visitors outspend resident travelers in Minnesota.

Top home states of non-resident travelers (in order): Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Missouri, Michigan, Texas, Nebraska and California. About 84% of all overnight pleasure travelers to Minnesota come from the North Central region.

For more research on tourism in Minnesota, see Explore Minnesota Tourism’s industry Web site.