It is interpreted by some that current Minnesota regulations already apply to vacation home rentals, however the language of the regulations doesn’t specifically refer to “vacation home rentals.” Since the market is not identified, there are several legal and regulatory concerns as well as issues that arise when operating a commercial business alongside neighboring residences, including:

• Payment of federal, state and local taxes
• Licensing by the Department of Health
• Building code requirements
• Septic, plumbing and water quality compliance
• Fire safety
• Capacity issues
• Zoning compliance (commercial or residential)
• Identifying and posting contact information on management
• Insurance requirements
• Overcrowding/maximum occupancy
• Maintenance
• 24 hour contact availability with local manager for guests and neighbors
• Noise
• Business signage
• Parking capacity/RV parking
• Driving responsibly
• Garbage
• Responsible use of recreational equipment
• Outside camping
• Trespassing
• Malicious complaints
• Licensing process
• Enforcement

As mentioned, it is interpreted by some that current regulations already apply to this type of activity. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Statutes Chapter 157 and Minnesota Rule Chapter 4625 (though it does not specifically define “vacation home rental”) would apply to a facility offering sleeping accommodations to the public. Within Department of Revenue oversight, vacation home rental is not specifically defined, but is believed to be included under the more general intent of the occasional sales statute. Property tax and individual income tax statutes would also apply.

Real Estate licensees, who provide property rental and management services as licensed under chapter 82, are allowed to operate vacation home rental management businesses without an additional Department of Health license. The vacation home rental unit or units themselves may require additional licensing, which may be provided by the unit owner or rental management company or broker.

For further information on how this may affect your involvement in this market please check out this Web site www.industry.exploreminnesota.com/vacationhome, which will provide more specific information and contact lists for further questions.

Welcome to EMT Express, providing bi-weekly news and tips for the people who market Minnesota tourism.

• May 2009 Inquiries
• Save the Date for the 2010 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference
• Cultural Heritage Tourism Workshops Sponsorship Opportunity
• New Travel Trade Leads
• Electronic Marketing Tip
• Leisure and Hospitality Job Gains
• Travel Leadership Summit
• Meetings Guidance for Companies Receiving Taxpayer Assistance
• 2009 American Indian Tourism Conference Building Native Tourism: Pathways for Change
• 25th anniversary Minnesota Community Pride competition

May 2009 Inquiries

*Includes great response to the Spring/Summer direct mail postcard, which offered travelers a Spring/Summer Minnesota Explorer and map, along with the opportunity to customize their packet by adding in a biking guide, fishing guide, or golf guide. Including 898 cards processed in April, total response for the campaign was 36,319 through the end of May.

Save the Date for the 2010 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference
After a formal RFP process, Cragun’s Resort was awarded the contract for the 2010 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference. Mark your calendar now to attend the conference January 26 - 27, 2010.

Many of you have commented that you would attend the conference if it was shorter, so here is your chance! We listened to your feedback and the conference now has a two day schedule.

If you are interested in being a sponsor or having a booth in the Marketplace, or have any additional questions contact Gayle Junnila at 651 757-1852 or gayle.junnila@state.mn.us

Cultural Heritage Tourism Workshops Sponsorship Opportunity
The Cultural Heritage Tourism Workshops being planned for this fall will bring together the many types of organizations that make up "Cultural Heritage Tourism" in Minnesota. Tourism businesses and vendors interested in marketing to this audience have the opportunity to sponsor the event.

The workshops are being offered in each region - dates and locations are listed below:

(NW) Thief River Falls - Thursday, August 13

(NE) North Shore - Thursday, October 1

(Metro) Saint Paul - Monday, October 5

(Southern) New Ulm - Wednesday, October 14

(Central) Sauk Centre - Monday, November 9

To learn more contact Gayle Junnila at 651 757-1852 or gayle.junnila@state.mn.us.

New Travel Trade Leads
Leads have been posted to the Travel Trade page on the Industry website for USTA’s International Pow Wow and Travel Alliance Partner’s (TAP). More detailed descriptions of both events are provided on the leads links http://industry.exploreminnesota.com/new-pow-wow-and-tap-leads-are-available/.

Electronic Marketing Tip
If you have a paid upgrade on www.ExploreMinnesota.com it is still important to keep your free listing current by using the extranet. Information such as your prices, dates of operation, contact people, address and phone numbers are all part of the basic free listing maintained at Explore Minnesota Tourism. The Explore Minnesota Tourism database is the information source for the Journey travel planning service and for www.ExploreMinnesota.com. Listings can be entered or updated directly by tourism businesses and organizations online at: extranet.exploreminnesota.com. For more information, contact Kim Fitzgerald at kim.fitzgerald@state.mn.us

Leisure and Hospitality Job Gains
According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Leisure & Hospitality jobs rebounded in May, up 7,100 jobs mostly in restaurants and bars. This occurred despite the fact that Minnesota’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose slightly to 8.2 percent in May. Five sectors added jobs, five sectors lost jobs, and one sector remained unchanged. To get more information, visit http://www.deed.state.mn.us/.

Travel Leadership Summit
The United States Travel Association (USTA) Travel Leadership Summit is September 16-17, 2009 in Washington DC. This is an opportunity to visit with Minnesota’s Congressional delegation and/or their staff on tourism issues of importance to our industry. USTA also host a breakfast with congressional/political speakers and an issues briefing. Please contact Colleen Tollefson at colleen.tollefson@state.mn.us or 651-757-1872 if you are interested in participating.

Meetings Guidance for Companies Receiving Taxpayer Assistance
The Treasury Department announced that the boards of directors of companies receiving taxpayer assistance must develop a company-wide policy for "excessive" expenditures in the areas of meetings, events and incentive travel. This policy must be kept on file with the Treasury Department.

The U.S. Travel Association has developed a suite of materials to help you help your customers. Although the Treasury Department’s rules only apply to companies that have taken taxpayer assistance, these tools can be helpful with all businesses and associations. We encourage your clients to adopt the model meetings and events policy developed by industry experts earlier this year. These materials are designed to help you educate your customers on our model policy and the benefits of meetings, events and incentive travel.

Links to resources

2009 American Indian Tourism Conference
Building Native Tourism: Pathways for Change
Online registration for AIANTA’s 2009 American Indian Tourism Conference, Building Native Tourism: Pathways for Change, is now open. Go to www.aianta.org/aitc and click on the Registration link. This year’s conference will take place September 20-23 at the Hilton Santa Fe Golf Resort at Buffalo Thunder, located outside Santa Fe, New Mexico. For registration questions, contact Stacie Hart at Stacie@eventdynamicsinc.com or 206-935-0988.

25th anniversary Minnesota Community Pride competition
Take up the challenge and enter your community or community project in the 25th Anniversary Minnesota Community Pride competition. Participants will be showcased and the winners will be announced at the 2009 Minnesota State Fair.

The competition, which began June 2, will lift up and publicly recognize the energy and ingenuity of Minnesota’s communities in both overall community and economic development achievement, and innovations in specific disciplines, such as education, broadband deployment and application, health care, entrepreneurship support, arts & culture, and public finance and more.

Contest details, including application forms, timelines and contest criteria, and the Minnesota Community Exchange, are available at www.ReinventingMinnesota.org. Entry deadline is July 17; cash awards will go to the top winners in each category. You can also email jleonard@minnesotaruralpartners.org or call 651-303-5263 if you have questions.

If you’ve received this newsletter from a friend and wish to subscribe yourself please subscribe at EMT Express Subscriptions.

If you have an article you wish to submit for consideration, please contact: Colleen Tollefson, 651/757-1872, 800/657-3637.

Leads are available from the 2009 International Pow Wow which was held in Miami, May 16-20. Cheryl Offerman and Chris Van Meter represented EMT.

U.S. Travel’s International Pow Wow is the travel industry’s premier international marketplace and is the largest generator of Visit USA travel. In three days more than 1,000 U. S. travel organizations from every region of the USA, and representing all industry category components, and close to 1,500 International and Domestic Buyers from more than 70 countries conducted intensive pre-scheduled business appointments. EMT and its Minnesota industry partners held over 100 meetings with tour operators, receptive operators, airlines and media from the state’s primary international markets of Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and the Nordic Countries.

Travel Alliance Partner’s (TAP) Leads

Leads are available from Mary Ann Steen’s participation in the Travel Alliance Partners (TAP) annual trade show May 31-June 4 in Rapid City, SD. This is an invitation only event whereby a limited number of destination organizations, attractions and accommodations are invited to meet in scheduled appointments with premier US and Canadian tour operators to promote a regional itinerary or present suggestions for their customized tours.

This year, EMT partnered with Fargo/Moorhead CVB, North Dakota Tourism, and Montana Tourism to present a sample 10 day itinerary 1. It was met with great enthusiasm as a unique and unified approach to promoting the northern border states and especially marketable with affordable access via Southwest Airlines and Delta.

As a result of prior TAP attendance, Minnesota product is included in the current TAP tour catalog and online at www.guaranteeddepartures.com : Meandering the Mississippi tour for 2007-2009 and Heartland Town and Country for 2010. In addition, Minnesota is included in several group tours being offered by TAP member operators in their company catalogs and FIT programs.

Go to www.travelalliancepartners.com and click on About Us to learn how their marketing partnerships create guaranteed departures. Check out the Destination Information and how you can Get Involved in TAP as a Preferred Professional Travel Provider (PPTP).

TAP MN ND MT Itinerary & Map

For individual income tax purposes, Minnesota follows federal income tax laws in regards to rental properties. Income reported on your federal income tax return flows through to your Minnesota income tax return. For more information, refer to the Internal Revenue Service website at www.irs.gov.  Refer to IRS Publication 17 and the Rental Income and Expense section. For federal income tax questions, call the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-829-1040.  

For a nonresident with income from a rental property in Minnesota, the income would be reported on Schedule M1NR, Nonresidents/Part-Year Residents.  

For Minnesota income tax questions, call 651-296-3781 or 1-800-652-9094 or send an email to indinctax@state.mn.us

Sales and Use Tax

For Minnesota sales and use tax purposes, charges to lease or rent a residential dwelling, including a home, cabin, condominium or similar building are taxable for a period of less than 30 days and for periods of 30 days or more if there is no enforceable written lease agreement with the customer that requires the guest to give prior notice of their intention to terminate.

 Rentals of a residential dwelling are not taxable if:

• the rental period is 30 days or more, and
• there is an enforceable written agreement requiring either the lessee or lessor to give notice before terminating the agreement.

Isolated and occasional sales exemption

Individuals are not required to register to collect sales tax if they are not considered to be in the business of renting or leasing their home or similar building. An individual is considered to be in the business by any of the following:

• the dwelling is licensed or required to be licensed; or
• the dwelling is leased or rented for a period of 15 days or more in a calendar year; or
• the rental or lease of the dwelling is advertised or otherwise offered to the public; or

Local taxes

If the rental property is located in an area with a local tax, the lease or rental is also subject to local sales and use taxes. In addition to the general sales and local taxes, city lodging taxes may also apply. The Department of Revenue administers city lodging taxes for Minneapolis, St. Paul and Rochester. Some cities and localities administer their own lodging tax, for information regarding lodging taxes for other cities, contact each city directly.

You may register for a Minnesota ID number online at: www.taxes.state.mn.us or by calling 651-282-5225 or toll-free 1-800-657-3605. The Application for Business Registration, Form ABR, is available on our web site or by writing: Minnesota Tax Forms, Mail Station 1421, St. Paul, MN 55146-1421.  

Under the Sales and Use Tax section of the Minnesota Department of Revenue website, http://www.taxes.state.mn.us/taxes/sales/index.shtml, you may find the following information of interest:

• Sales and Use Tax Instruction Booklet
• Fact Sheet 170, A Step-by-Step Guide to Filing and Paying Sales and Use Tax Electronically
• Fact Sheet 164, Local Sales and Use Taxes
• Fact Sheet 123, Athletic Facilities, Recreational Areas, Resorts and Campgrounds
• Fact Sheet 164S, Special Local Taxes Minneapolis, Rochester, St. Cloud, St. Paul

Contact: 651-296-6181 or 1-800-657-3777;
salesuse.tax@state.mn.us

References:

M. S. 297A.61, Subd. 3(g)(2) Lodging

M. S. 297A.67, Subd. 23 Occasional Sales

M.S. 297A.61, Subd 21 Normal Course of Business

Property Tax

For property tax purposes, the occasional short term rental of a residential homestead or a seasonal recreational (SRR) property may not change the classification of that property.  However, you should contact your county assessor to be sure.

Please note that the general number for Travel Information (651-296-5029) has not changed. The fax number (651-296-7095) also remains the same.

Please update your records accordingly.

Welcome to EMT Express, providing bi-weekly news and tips for the people who market Minnesota tourism.

• ExploreMinnesota.com Web Statistics for May 2009
• New Phone System at Explore Minnesota Tourism
• Free Accommodations Listing in Explore Minnesota Statewide Guide
• List Your Conference Center on MeetinMinnesota.com
• Send Us Your 2009 Community Brochures
• Free Media Communications Training Friday, June 19, 2009
• Do You Have Vacancies? We Can Help Get the Word Out!
• Nisswa Chamber of Commerce Seeks Executive Director

ExploreMinnesota.com Web Statistics for May 2009

New Phone System at Explore Minnesota Tourism

In the next couple of weeks, the Explore Minnesota Tourism St. Paul staff will be transitioning to a new phone system. All staff will have new phone numbers. To see the staff list with the current phone numbers and new phones, click here. The new system is expected to be complete by mid-June, and the existing phone numbers phased out by June 30, 2009.

Please note that the general number for Travel Information (651-296-5029) will not be changing. The fax number (651-296-7095) will also remain the same.

Please update your records accordingly.

New phone numbers for St. Paul staff of Explore Minnesota Tourism

Free Accommodations Listing in Explore Minnesota Statewide Guide

It’s hard to believe, but preparations are already underway for the 2010 Explore Minnesota Statewide Travel Guide! The guide will again include a grid with lodging and camping properties in the state.

If you haven’t already updated your listing during 2009, this would be a great time to do so. There are still 100+ properties that haven’t updated since 2007. A certified letter has now been sent letting these establishments know that their listings will not be included in the 2010 Travel Guide unless we receive an update - via paper survey form, Extranet or phone call 651-757-1842 - no later than June 26, 2009. Click here to see a copy of the list.

Chambers, Convention and Visitors Bureaus, other tourism organizations: if you see one or more of your properties on this list, please encourage them to respond promptly to the certified letter. If you see anyone on this list that has changed names, ownership or is no longer open for business, please let us know.

Questions or responses should be directed to Kimberly Clarke: Kimberly.Clarke@state.mn.us or 651-757-1842.

List Your Conference Center on MeetinMinnesota.com

A new category for conference centers has been added to the MeetinMinnesota.com Web site. For purposes of listing on this page, a conference center is defined as: a facility that is constructed for and devoted to meetings (more meeting space than sleeping rooms). To be listed, please send the name of the conference center and a Web site link (URL) to Peter.dian@state.mn.us.

Send Us Your 2009 Community Brochures

Attention Chambers and Convention and Visitor Bureaus: Make sure Explore Minnesota Tourism has the latest travel information on your community!

We are updating the community files used for background information for travel articles about Minnesota destinations. These files help us in our work with travel writers and in writing articles for our publications and Web site. Please send two copies of your community’s 2009/2010 travel brochures to: Tammi Wilhelmy, Explore Minnesota Tourism, 121 7th Place East, Suite 100, St. Paul, MN 55101.

Free Media Communications Training Friday, June 19, 2009

The Cook County Events and Visitors Bureau and Explore Minnesota Tourism are offering a free training Friday, June 19, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the Cook County Community Center in Grand Marais. The event is open to anyone who may have contact with the media.

Curt Johnson of Explore Minnesota Tourism will offer a 1-1/2 to 2 hour training on how to deal with the media, specifically surrounding tourism and the current economy. Curt has extensive experience on both sides of the microphone and the camera. He spent years with the Minnesota News Network before bringing his expertise to Explore Minnesota Tourism.

Curt works closely with outdoor writers and other media, and does regular radio shows on behalf of Minnesota tourism.

Please RSVP with Kate at the Cook County Events and Visitors Bureau if you are planning to attend at 218-663-8058 or ccevb@boreal.org.

Do You Have Vacancies? We Can Help Get the Word Out!

As a member of the Minnesota tourism community, you have a free listing on exploreminnesota.com. Your listing on our Web site contains a text field that may be updated at any time. Have a vacancy for next weekend? Post it in your listing! To update your free listing, go to the Extranet.

Or, take advantage of some of our more advanced opportunities, such as deals. Using deals gives your vacancy additional exposure on the Web site - in the right-hand column of many pages of the site, and presence in our weekly deals newsletter.

Another option is to use our graphic ads, which can be purchased for a month at a time. For more information on these and other advertising opportunities, see: http://industry.exploreminnesota.com/advertising/electronic-advertising/.

Nisswa Chamber of Commerce Seeks Executive Director

The Nisswa Chamber is seeking a self-motivated, independent individual committed to excelling personally and professionally with high personal expectations and standards of responsibility, cooperation, loyalty, and integrity.

The Executive Director reports to the board of directors and will oversee all Nisswa Chamber activities including but not limited to: managing chamber staff, numerous chamber events, membership growth & retention, chamber finances, and annual marketing program.

Deadline for resume is June 20, 2009. Please submit resumes to:
Attn: Human Resource Committee
Nisswa Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 261
Nisswa, MN 56468

If you’ve received this newsletter from a friend and wish to subscribe yourself please subscribe at EMT Express Subscriptions.

If you have an article you wish to submit for consideration, please contact: Colleen Tollefson, 651/757-1872, 800/657-3637.

Welcome to EMT Express, providing bi-weekly news and tips for the people who market Minnesota tourism.

• Senate Committee Hearings in Minnesota
• Minnesota Summer Tourism Outlook: Travel Trends Could Add Up to a Positive Bottom Line for Tourism Businesses
• Meet in Minnesota: Sample Opinion Editorial Piece Available for Your Community’s Use
• New Travel Trade Leads Posted
• Get Your Ad in the 2010 Minnesota Travel Guide
• Advertising on www.exploreminnesota.com
• Save the Date - Cultural Heritage Tourism Workshops
• Event Management Training
• New License Plate Hits the Streets
• In the News
• Electronic Marketing Tip
• USBC Women’s Championship Tournament
• White Bear Lake Promoter Featured on You Tube
• Minnesota and Manitoba Partner to Create International Birding
• WHTI Deadline Approaches!

Senate Committee Hearings in Minnesota

Senator Amy Klobuchar presided over hearings of the Subcommittee on Competitiveness, Innovation and Export Promotion of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, yesterday. The hearings were held at The Depot in Duluth, with a second forum at The Lodge at Brainerd Lakes in Baxter. The hearings focused on issues impacting the travel industry.

The committee heard testimony from several state and local tourism industry representatives on efforts to facilitate and promote travel to and within Minnesota. Explore Minnesota Tourism’s Director John Edman focused his testimony on the current state of Minnesota tourism, Explore Minnesota Tourism’s travel promotions, and areas in which federal efforts could aid the travel industry.

John Edman’s Testimony for Senator Klobuchar’s Committee

Minnesota Summer Tourism Outlook: Travel Trends Could Add Up to a Positive Bottom Line for Tourism Businesses

In spite of the challenging economy, Minnesota tourism businesses are hoping to provide relief to stressed-out consumers by the offering the affordable, close-to-home getaways travelers will be looking for this summer. Pent-up demand among consumers to take long-delayed breaks could help Minnesota lodging businesses weather this year’s financial storm.

Among the more than 350 lodging and camping businesses across the state responding to a recent poll by Explore Minnesota Tourism, the state tourism office, half expect business this summer to continue at normal levels, with 32 percent anticipating occupancy to match last summer and 21 percent expecting an increase in occupancy. On the other hand, just under half (48 percent) expect occupancy to drop from last summer, and even more, 51 percent, expect their revenues to decline as they lower rates to attract customers.

Nationally, the U.S. Travel Association forecasts a 2 percent decline in leisure travel this summer.

Read the press release

Meet in Minnesota: Sample Opinion Editorial Piece Available for Your Community’s Use

We have created an “oped” template (http://industry.exploreminnesota.com/promotions/meetings-and-conventions/) to tell your story. Add information pertinent to tourism in your own community and send out under the letterhead of your own organization, with a local contact. Or, use as the basis for your own letter to the editor to your local newspaper.

New Travel Trade Leads Posted

EMT’s Travel Trade staff post leads regularly from conference appointments and sales missions. Mary Ann Steen and Chris Van Meter concluded a 2009 Group Tour Sales Mission with ten Minnesota industry representatives to meet with qualified tour operators and bank club directors in South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa. For these, and international leads and more information for Minnesota tourism industry professionals go to: http://industry.exploreminnesota.com/trade-marketing/group-tour/.

Get Your Ad in the 2010 Minnesota Travel Guide

Ad sales for the 2010 Minnesota Travel Guide are underway, with ad rates that are five percent lower than last year! Advertisers will reach a large, targeted audience of travelers, with distribution (press run of 300,000) that includes: 70 Travel Information Centers, Mall of America, sports/travel shows, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, thousands ordered from the Explore Minnesota Web site, and thousands more ordered as a result of Explore Minnesota advertising. Research has found that consumers use both print brochures and websites to plan their trips, so it’s still important to reach consumers through print advertising.

Get a discount by purchasing your ad by the Early Bird Deadline, July 17, 2009. The final ad deadline is August 14, 2009.

Read the full article

Advertising on www.exploreminnesota.com

While the summer season is upon us, there is still a chance to fill occupancy, generate increased attendance and create greater awareness of your Minnesota travel destination. Advertising on www.exploreminnesota.com is a cost effective and productive way to reach your audience and overall traffic to Explore Minnesota Tourism’s Web site is up as evidenced by year to date traffic.

April 30, 2007 to May 1, 2008 - 2,419,610 Visits

April 30, 2008 to May 1, 2009 - 2,645,599 Visits

One effective way to link to cost-conscious travelers is the Deals Option which is popular with users of the site who search the site and/or receive the information through an opt-in newsletter or RSS feeds. Information on this and other advertising buys is available at http://industry.exploreminnesota.com/advertising/electronic-advertising/

Save the Date - Cultural Heritage Tourism Workshops

Research shows that cultural heritage travelers make up a significant number of the travelers to Minnesota, and historically, this segment of the travel market has been on the rise. We also know that throughout Minnesota, there is a great deal to offer these travelers.

Workshops are being planned this fall to bring together the many types of organizations that make up “Cultural Heritage Tourism” and help capitalize on this growing market. Included in the workshops will be presentations of partnership success stories already working in other communities.

Workshops are being offered in each region to reduce travel costs. Save the date now to attend the workshop in your region:

Thief River Falls - Thursday, August 13, 2009, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (the Heartland meeting will begin the day)

North Shore - Thursday, October 1, 2009, 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m

Metro - Monday, October 5, 2009, 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m

New Ulm - Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m

Central - Monday, November 9, 2009, 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m

Watch for more details at http://industry.exploreminnesota.com.

Event Management Training

The University of Minnesota Tourism Center offers an annual opportunity for event organizers to update and improve their skills. After completing the program, participants report increased municipal support, greater clarity of event policies, and increased sponsorship sales.

The 2009 class will be held on the St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota, September 24-26 and October 1-3, 2009. In addition to the prepared curriculum, guest speakers and a “behind-the-scenes” event experience are included. Interested in bringing the class to your community? Contact us! www.tourism.umn.edu

New License Plate Hits the Streets

The new Minnesota license plates that carry “exploreMinnesota.com” have been distributed since early March and 15,000+ are already on the street. A total of 100,000 were produced and 40,000 distributed to Deputy Registrars around the state.

In the News

Two recent EMT news releases were picked up widely by media outlets. The National Tourism Week and the recent Summer Travel Outlook releases were carried by WAOW TV-Wausau; Fox 43 TV-Knoxville; KGUN9-Tucson; Fox 19-Cincinnatti; WECT TV6-Delaware; Brietbart.com; WVVA TV-West Virginia/Virginia; WECT TV6-Wilmington, NC; WAFB9 TV-Baton Rouge; The Saint Paul Pioneer Press; The Minneapolis Saint Paul Business Journal and MSN Money Central (which claims 24,452,000 visitors per day), and other outlets.

Asserting “staycations”, the Saint Paul Capital City Partnership launched www.SaintPaulSTAYcation.com Web site and campaign, which was covered in the May 14, 2009 Journal of Finance and Commerce.

Minneapolis’ FireLake Restaurant got a boost on March 31, 2009 when its Chef Paul Lynch was featured on the NBC Today Show. Lynch took NBC correspondent Tiki Barber out onto a frozen lake to visit an ice-house village (taped DURING the ice fishing season!). While on the ice they savored the chef’s breakfast sliders and homemade hot chocolate. Yummo!

Electronic Marketing Tip

If you have a paid upgrade on www.explorminnesota.com, it’s still important to keep your free listing current by using the extranet. Information such as your prices, dates of operation, contact people, address and phone numbers are all part of the basic free listing maintained at Explore Minnesota Tourism.

The Explore Minnesota database is the information source for the Journey travel planning service and for exploreminnesota.com. Listings can be entered or updated directly by tourism businesses and organizations online at: www.extranet.exploreminnesota.com. For more information, contact Kim Fitzgerald at kim.fitzgerald@state.mn.us

USBC Women’s Championship Tournament

The USBC Women’s Championship tournament is seeking bids for 2014. This tournament was last in Minnesota in the 1960’s. Please see attached bid information.

Womens Championships National Bowling Tournament Bid Info Sheet

White Bear Lake Promoter Featured on You Tube

When the 2009 Governor’s Fishing Opener was held in White Bear Lake this month, they had one of the champion promoters of White Bear Lake and Minnesota tourism as their leader. Many know Bill Foussard, who works tirelessly on behalf of his community and state. Bill donned a fish costume at public events for three years to try to “lure” Governor Pawlenty to select White Bear Lake as the first metro community to host the event.

His creative and fun promotions didn’t stop even after the event was being planned! Check out this video to see Bill in action! We don’t know if Bill has really ever fished in his life, but we do know that he is a great promoter!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxNvyHtd4aA

Minnesota and Manitoba Partner to Create International Birding

The state of Minnesota and the province of Manitoba have formed a novel partnership to create the newest international birding trail in North America. On Tuesday, May 19, 2009, partners including birders, tourism and wildlife officials from both countries met on the border North of Roseau to celebrate the Route’s international extension.

The combined trail is 500-miles long and extends from west central Minnesota northward through Winnipeg to Hecla Island in the Interlake region of Manitoba. The 300-mile Canadian portion of the trail connects in the U.S. near Warroad, Roseau and Lancaster to Minnesota’s Pine to Prairie Birding Trail, a 200-mile long trail with 45 outstanding wildlife viewing sites.

New International Birding Trail Groundbreaking

WHTI Deadline Approaches!

The deadline for full implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is almost here. Beginning June 1, 2009, U.S. and Canadian citizens will need a passport or other WHTI compliant document to enter and re-enter the United States by land or sea from the United States, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

Some of the WHTI approved documents are a passport, a passport card (PassCard), a NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST trusted traveler program card, and/or a state issued enhanced driver’s license, such as Washington state’s EDL. Children under the age of 16 only need a birth certificate. For a full list of WHTI compliant documents and other exceptions, please visit:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

www.GetYouHome.gov

http://www.cbp.gov/

Department of Homeland Security

www.dhs.gov

The Department of State

www.travel.state.gov

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has created a WHTI stakeholder tool kit to assist you in communicating this message to your constituents. On this CD, they have included: print collateral materials, TV spots (U.S. English, U.S. Spanish, Canada), radio spots folder (U.S. English, U.S. Spanish), PSAs, print ads (U.S., Canada), 0nline buttons, billboards (U.S. English, U.S. Spanish) and posters. If you would like copies of the WHTI stakeholder tool kit CD, please email your name, organization, address and phone number to Joanne Ferreira (joanne.ferreira@dhs.gov) so that they can mail a kit to you.

If you’ve received this newsletter from a friend and wish to subscribe yourself please subscribe at EMT Express Subscriptions.

If you have an article you wish to submit for consideration, please contact: Colleen Tollefson, 651/757-1872, 800/657-3637.

Welcome to EMT Express, providing bi-weekly news and tips for the people who market Minnesota tourism.

• April 2009 Inquiries
• ExploreMinnesota.com Web Statistics for April 2009
• National Travel and Tourism Week, May 9-17, 2009
• Governor’s Fishing Opener a Great Success!
• Travel Information Centers Season Opener
• Sales Missions: Accomplished!
• New International Trade Show Leads Posted to Industry Website

April 2009 Inquiries

ExploreMinnesota.com Web Statistics for April 2009

National Travel and Tourism Week, May 9-17, 2009

To celebrate this week, Explore Minnesota Tourism (EMT) is getting out the good news about all there is to see and do throughout the state. We have put together four press releases, which we began promoting this weekend at the Fishing Opener and will continue to promote throughout the week. The release will focus on tourism’s contributions to the economy and quality of life in Minnesota, EMT’s new ad campaign, deals and how to find them through EMT and how to get travel information through EMT. To see all, keep an eye on our press room throughout the week.

Governor’s Fishing Opener a Great Success!

This year’s Governor’s Fishing Opener was the first to be held in the metro area, which made for great press coverage. Hundreds of media outlets from throughout Minnesota and the surrounding states attended this year’s event, which resulted in more media coverage than ever before! Thanks to the excellent work by the Community of White Bear Lake in hosting the 2009 Governor’s Fishing Opener.

2009 Governor's Fishing Opener

Governor Tim Pawlenty announced that the 2010 Governor’s Fishing Opener will be held on Kabetogama Lake in Northeast Minnesota. The waters of Kabetogama Lake lie entirely within Voyageurs National Park, the first time all the fishing at the Opener will take place within the Park.

Travel Information Centers Season Opener

The three Explore Minnesota Tourism partnership travel information centers (TIC’s) will open for the season within the next few days. Fisher’s Landing TIC opens on May 14, 2009, Worthington TIC opens on May 18, 2009, and Grand Portage TIC will open on May 22, 2009. The TICs promote travel and tourism services to travelers from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. To highlight the season opener, Worthington TIC will host an open house on May 22, 2009. Plan to stop by and enjoy a car-shaped cookie.

Sales Missions: Accomplished!

The Travel Trade unit recently led two sales missions through the heart of North America, reinforcing Minnesota as a choice destination for both groups and individual travel.

In late April, Mary Ann Steen and Chris Van Meter escorted ten others through Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska, paying a total of 30 calls on major tour operators and travel agencies, AAA locations and bank travel clubs. The two vans took off in different directions, representing the efforts of both parties, with a rendezvous in Omaha mid-week. In the process, Steen’s van passed through Van Meter, IA, and Van Meter’s group approached Steen, MN.

Just last week, Chris Van Meter led ten others, representing hotels, attractions and DMOs from the Twin Cities and Moorhead on an annual spring sales mission to Winnipeg. Highlights were a breakfast reception for area tour operators and media, and a dinner reception for over 50 staff from the Winnipeg area Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) offices. The CAA event featured a quiz show of Minnesota trivia and destinations, hosted by CAA manager, Warren Moran, who donned the identity of schlmazy game show host, Loon A-Tick. Each member of the winning team received a travel package in the state, plus several more winners from a drawing. The mission also included additional sales calls and an appearance by some on Citytv Winnipeg’s Breakfast Television show, arranged by Brent Haugen of Visit Minneapolis North.

New International Trade Show Leads Posted to Industry Website

In rapid succession Paul Sherburne, Explore Minnesota Tourism International Marketing Manager, attended International Tourism Bourse (ITB) in Berlin; Rocky Mountain International (RMI) Roundup in Boise, ID; and Active America Travel Summit-China (AATS-China) in Atlanta, while also conducting tour operator sales calls in The Netherlands.

View all leads on the Industry Web site.

View all trade show articles.

View all sales call articles.

If you’ve received this newsletter from a friend and wish to subscribe yourself please subscribe at EMT Express Subscriptions.

If you have an article you wish to submit for consideration, please contact: Colleen Tollefson, 651/757-1872, 800/657-3637.

The April 16, 2009, issue of the Duluth Budgeteer News carried a story "Tourism forecast is solid and steady", written by Terry Mattson of Visit Duluth told about the strengths of the local tourism infrastructure and how he predicts it will hold steady during the economic downturn.

Stephen Regenold’s story in the April 24, 2009, New York Times, "Northern Exposure", rounded up a series of outdoor experiences in northern tier states, including Minnesota. In the same edition of the New York Times, Gustave Axelson’s story "A Woodland Lesson in Fire’s Power to Destroy and Build", chronicled the devastation of the Ham Lake Fire in the Boundary Water Canoe Area and how impressive the flora and fauna recover.

An April 17, 2009, Forbes.com story, "The call of the wild, luxury style", describes how "wilderness resorts", once remote backcountry outposts, have now become "experiences that blend luxury with the wilds". His Minnesota example is the Lodge of the Whispering Pines, and how the hiking trails transform to cross country ski trails, and lakes turn into snowmobile terrain and anglers become ice fishermen.

In the April 5, 2009, edition of Chicago’s Daily Herald (Arlington Heights), "Something pretty special here", Bob Smith tells about his photographic visits to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

A significant number of media outlets picked up the Explore Minnesota Tourism news release announcing that exploreminnesota.com had moved to mobile, including WCNC.com in Charlotte, NC; dallasnews.com, site of the Dallas Morning News; TMCnet.com, and News Blaze, both national news and information aggregators.

Welcome to EMT Express, providing bi-weekly news and tips for the people who market Minnesota tourism.

• Legislative Update
• 2008 Annual Report Available
• 2020 Vision Report Available Online
• National Tourism Week
• Minnesota in the News
• Attractions Reminders
• Lure More Resident And Non-Resident Anglers To Your Area!
• International Visitors Set New Records
• May 12, 2009 Tourism Seminar to be Held
• SMTA to Hold Meeting and Seminar in Winona
• Fishing Rules
• Pre-Release "Youth Renewing the Countryside"
• Employment Opportunities

Legislative Update

Tourism has received a great deal of attention during this Legislative session, with a focus on many of the central policies that the Explore Minnesota Tourism (EMT) Council has identified.

Post Labor Day School start has been challenged a number of times as the education bill made its way through committees. Most recently, it was successfully defeated during debate on the omnibus education bill on the House floor this past week.

Eliminating the dedication of the local option lodging tax was included in a provision of the House omnibus tax bill. EMT Council member Representative John Ward offered an amendment to delete this provision from the bill on the House floor. The amendment passed on a roll call vote of 96-37.

Both of these provisions elicited a widespread effort by the tourism industry to contact their legislators. Our tourism lobbyists worked unceasingly to show the importance of tourism to the state.

Tourism funding bills are making their way through the House and Senate. Vacation home rental policy issues have been laid over and are not anticipated to be addressed further this session.

Thank you to those in the tourism industry and at the Legislature for working on behalf of our industry.

2008 Annual Report Available

The 2008 Explore Minnesota Tourism Annual Report is now available online at http://industry.exploreminnesota.com/industry-communications/annual-reports/. This year’s report highlights Explore Minnesota Tourism’s role in keeping our industry growing and strong despite the changes in our economy.

In efforts to be budget-conscious and more earth-friendly, Explore Minnesota Tourism will not print and distribute hard copies of this year’s report.

2020 Vision Report Available Online

The 2020 Vision final report is available online at http://industry.exploreminnesota.com/2020-vision-report/. This report concluded that the Minnesota tourism industry foresees a bright future, with tourism continuing as a leading economic force in the state in terms of job growth and as an attraction for travelers. The report foreshadows a $20 billion tourism industry by 2020.

Explore Minnesota Tourism also has limited copies of this report available in hard copy. To request a copy, e-mail Colleen Tollefson at colleen.tollefson@state.mn.us.

National Tourism Week

National Travel and Tourism Week will be celebrated May 9-17, 2009. During these challenging times, it is particularly important that you join industry colleagues around the country in this annual salute to the power of travel to help amplify our voice for why travel matters.

Sample press release on the economic impact of tourism

Use our press release template to tell your story. Add information pertinent to tourism in your own community and send out under the letterhead of your own organization, with a local contact. Or, use as the basis for your own letter to the editor to your local newspaper.

Support materials

To help support your efforts, Explore Minnesota Tourism has suitcases that outline the impact of tourism at the county level. These are available in limited quantities for you to share with elected public officials and the media. Tourism and the Minnesota Economy brochures are also available for you to share with a wider audience. To order copies of the suitcase or brochure, please contact Tina Frietag at tina.frietag@state.mn.us.

Minnesota in the News

In early April 2009, Tom Weber penned a story in the Rochester Post Bulletin, "The arts scene lives amid downturn", telling about the vibrant and vital arts scene in southeastern Minnesota.

The April 16, 2009, issue of the Duluth Budgeteer News carried a story "Tourism forecast is solid and steady", written by Terry Mattson of Visit Duluth told about the strengths of the local tourism infrastructure and how he predicts it will hold steady during the economic downturn.

Read the full article.

Attractions Reminders

Did you recently receive a reminder that we’ve not yet received your updates for 2009? Thought you’d already done them? You MAY have two separate listings with us!

Our database is set up to be most effective for travelers and when they search for information to plan their vacation on our Web site. Because of this, a single business might have two or more listings. One would be your accommodations information which you received notice to update in February. This information would include the number of rooms or cabins you have, the number of campsites you have, and other amenities pertaining to lodging. Your second record might contain activities that your business offers travelers not staying at your facility. These might include boat and motor rental, bike rental, a golf course, or hiking or biking trails.

These two listings are treated separately by our system. Your attractions listing may be identified by the name of your business followed by "- activities." So if you received a reminder from us, please log in and see if you have two listings. We would certainly appreciate it, and so would our customers.

Lure More Resident And Non-Resident Anglers To Your Area!
The Fishing Opener Is Right Around the Corner & Anglers Are Hungry For Information

Numerous community organizations contribute fishing reports each week for inclusion in Explore Minnesota Tourism’s (EMT) weekly fishing report, and community organizations are still being accepted. In addition to fishing information for your area, we will list your contact information and link directly to your Web site in an effort to generate inquiries from resident and non-resident anglers.

Read the full article.

International Visitors Set New Records

More than 58 million international visitors traveled to the United States in 2008, an increase of 4 percent from 2007, according to statistics released by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Explore Minnesota Tourism’s target markets showed significant increases, and new records were set in France, Italy, the Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark and Norway. The United Kingdom remains the strongest international market to the United States, but had a slight increase of 1 percent for the year. For information on capturing your share of Minnesota’s international visitors, contact Cheryl Offerman, Travel Trade Marketing Manager, at cheryl.offerman@state.mn.us.

May 12, 2009 Tourism Seminar to be Held

To celebrate National Tourism Week, the Riverland Tourism Association will be holding "Tourism in Northwest Minnesota…Makes Dollars and Sense" at 9:00 a.m. on May 12, 2009, at the Swenson House in Thief River Falls. The day-long seminar is designed to highlight tourism opportunities in Northwest Minnesota. A wide variety of sessions focusing on marketing, technology and tourism trends will be presented.

Read the full article.

SMTA to Hold Meeting and Seminar in Winona

The Southern Minnesota Tourism Association (SMTA) will hold their May meeting on Thursday, May 14 at the Riverside Event Center, 58 Center Street in Winona. The meeting is open to the public with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. Registration fee is $10 and includes lunch. Michele Peters, Communications Senior Manager for Explore Minnesota Tourism, will present "EMT Web site Advertising and Enhancements — Why You Need to Participate". To RSVP, call 888-975-6766 by May 6, 2009.

Fishing Rules

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is requesting comments for possible amendments to and repeal of rules governing commercial fishing operations on Lake Superior and other fishing regulations and requirements, Minnesota Rules, chapters 6260, 6262, 6264 and 6266. Interested persons or groups may submit comments or information on these possible rules in writing or orally until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2009. The agency contact person is Linda Erickson-Eastwood at 651-259-5200 or 1-888-MINNDNR . DNR Web site: www.dnr.state.mn.us.

Pre-Release "Youth Renewing the Countryside"

From Connecticut to California, a hearty crop is taking root. Smart, young people are returning to the roots of rural living and American agriculture - roots steeped in a tradition and culture of diversity, quality, and respect for the earth. Youth Renewing the Countryside shares remarkable stories of young people in each state changing the world through rural renewal.

This report was produced by Minnesota-based Renewing the Countryside in partnership with young writers and photographers across the country and with support from SARE and the Center for Rural Strategies. It is available through www.rtcmarket.org or www.sare.org/Webstore.

Employment Opportunities

Meet Minneapolis is seeking individuals for a Senior Vice President position in Destination Branding & Strategy. The link outlining the job description is available at http://www.meetminneapolis.com/members/about/srvpdbs.aspx.

If you’ve received this newsletter from a friend and wish to subscribe yourself please subscribe at EMT Express Subscriptions.

If you have an article you wish to submit for consideration, please contact: Colleen Tollefson, 651/757-1872, 800/657-3637.

The weekly EMT Fishing Report is disseminated via e-mail and RSS feed, posted on the EMT Web site, and used to produce recorded messages available through 1-888-TOURISM. Thousands of consumers and media read and hear this report on a regular basis. In fact, the number of e-mail newsletter subscribers has grown by 36% in one year! And just one source of RSS feed view statistics reports 1335 fishing report viewers last month — the actual number being significantly higher!

EMT will accept fishing reports from chambers of commerce, convention and visitors bureaus, resort associations and other community organizations. Reports must be received by Tuesday morning to be included in the weekly report. The community organizations will be credited, along with contact information provided for customers wanting information on area bait shops, lodging establishments, and other travel information. Reports must not be longer than 150 words. Communities wanting to submit their information will need to provide:

1. Name of city/area and area waters covered
2. Current fishing activity on Minnesota waters, i.e., species of fish being caught on specific bodies of water, types of bait used, recommended fishing techniques/methods, and time of day
3. Other regulatory items of importance
4. Name of person & organization reporting, phone, and Web address (if applicable)

**Information regarding natural occurrences such as lake-turnover, or events such as well as upcoming fishing tournaments, will also be considered.

Please restrict your reports to the above criteria, and send your information within the body of the e-mail to fishing@emt.travel. All reports must be accurate and up-to-date. Any consumer complaints regarding the accuracy of the reports will be referred to the appropriate source.

EMT will make every effort to assure that the fishing report is equitably representative of the state. We reserve the right to both limit and solicit reports from organizations to fulfill this goal, and best meet the needs of the consumer. At times, it may be necessary to either partially edit or remove a report entirely if space, time and/or special circumstances demand.

For more information, contact Christine Lawton at Christine.Lawton@state.mn.us.