After MN tourism income is lower in half in 2020, specialists count on busy summer time

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Tourist attractions in Minnesota await a great summer after the battles of 2020. (FOX 9)

(FOX 9) – – Tourism revenue rose from $ 16 billion in 2019 to just over $ 8 billion in 2020, according to Explore Minnesota, the state-owned agency that tracks tourism. However, experts are expecting a big comeback in the local travel business this summer.

“We’ll be back on track before 2019,” said Eric Peterson, general manager of Craguns Resort on Gull Lake near Brainerd.

After MN tourism revenues halved in 2020, experts expect a busy summer

After a slower summer last year, northern Minnesota businesses and communities are ready for a big summer.

He says they lost 35 to 40 percent of their business last year, which usually comes in the form of corporate or large group events. However, their individual family business increased as families looked for travel options close to their place of residence and socially distant.

“Last year we saw families traveling among each other. This year groups of people are coming back, too,” Peterson said.

They are expecting around 1,100 guests this Memorial Day weekend and are well on their way to securing record bookings for July and August.

“The rest of the summer is looking really good,” said Peterson.

Shops in “hut” or “tourist” towns like Brainerd have a ripple effect. When the resorts are full, it usually means restaurants like Ernie’s on Gull Lake are also seeing an increase in sales.

“Summer is the most important thing in the Brainerd Lakes area,” said Mike Foy, co-owner of Ernie’s.

Foy says, as with Craigan’s, they stayed active last year with travelers who want to get outside. When eating indoors was not allowed, they expanded their patio area. He says that as early as this year they are seeing a lot of people visiting looking for a place to be outside.

“We’re just very excited to see what a full summer really is,” said Foy.

Explore Minnesota, Hospitality Minnesota and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis recently conducted a survey on the summer tourism outlook for 2021. This survey found that nearly three quarters of those surveyed expect higher business volume this summer.

“There is a big boom in rural areas when tourism is doing well,” said Julie Tesch, President and CEO of the Center for Rural Policy and Development.

Tesch explains that tourism revenue creates jobs and increases the tax base in larger Minnesota communities, freeing up money for things like schools, roads, and affordable housing.

“If we didn’t have tourism in Greater Minnesota, our economy would simply come to a standstill,” said Tesch.

Tesch and many others hope the first signs are correct, and this summer is a booming business for rural and hut communities.

Learn more about Minnesota’s tourism industry revenue Click here.