Media Contact: Catherine Dehdashti, U of M Extension, (612) 625-0237, ced@umn.edu

Minnesota residents see tourism as important to state’s economy

ST. PAUL, Minn. (1/29/2008) — New research sponsored by the University of Minnesota Tourism Center reveals that, for the third year in a row, nearly all Minnesotans understand the importance of tourism to the state’s economy. In Minnesota, tourism generates $10.5 billion in gross receipts/sales and employs more than 244,000 people.

The majority (60 percent) of residents feel tourism is “very important,” and 96 percent indicate that tourism is “very important” or “important,” to the economy. “The consistent ratings among the public, from 2005 to 2008, indicate broad support and recognition for tourism’s importance,” says Ingrid Schneider, Tourism Center director.

Explore Minnesota Tourism Director John Edman adds, "There seems to be a renewed understanding in all corners of the state on the importance of travel and tourism in Minnesota. We are learning more and more each day how critical the leisure and hospitality industry is to businesses, local economies and Minnesota's quality of life."

Now in its third year, University assessment of statewide attitudes toward tourism will continue annually. Such research is typical of the research done with and by the Tourism Center, which makes a difference in tourism in Minnesota and beyond. Expected outcomes from this work include sustainable growth, development and return on investment (ROI) for tourism—a leading industry in Minnesota and the world. The Tourism Center (www.tourism.umn.edu) is a collaboration between University of Minnesota Extension and the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS).

A prestigious advisory committee informs the Tourism Center’s work and keeps it in touch with industry needs and issues, Schneider says. These external partners include Carlson Companies, state government offices of tourism and transportation, as well as Minnesota communities.

This research was supported by the Carlson Chair of Hospitality, Travel and Tourism and conducted as part of the 2007 Minnesota State Survey by the Minnesota Center for Survey Research. Telephone interviews with Minnesotans 18 years or older were conducted between Sept. 22, 2007 and Dec 6, 2007.

Source: Ingrid Schneider (612) 624-2250, ingridss@umn.edu

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URL: http:// www.extension.umn.edu/extensionnews/2008/tourism.html This page was updated Jan. 29, 2008 .
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