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Did you know…?

  • Leisure and hospitality in Minnesota generates $11.0 billion in gross annual sales
  • More than $679 million is generated in state sales taxes
  • Minnesota’s leisure and hospitality industry employs more than 247,000 workers
  • Tourism is a key sector of Minnesota’s economy, comparable to agriculture in its contribution to the gross state product
  • The annual number of person-visits in Minnesota (39 million) is nearly eight times the total population of the state

Why Funding Is Needed

Annual Economic Impact

Travel/tourism in Minnesota generates:

  • $11.0 billion in gross receipts/sales
  • $679 million in state sales tax

Travelers in Minnesota: 39 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 $33 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 annual person-visits in Minnesota is more than seven times the total population of the state.

Person-visits to and through Minnesota for leisure or business (June 2007-May 2008):
(A person-visit represents one person staying in one accommodation for one or more nights, or on a day trip away from home.)

Visiting friends/family (unpaid lodging visitors) 13.6 million
Hotel/motel/B&B visitors 12.1 million
Day trip visitors 9.2 million
Campground visitors 2.5 million
Resort visitors 1.6 million
Total person-visits in Minnesota 39.0 million

Source: The Economic Impact of Expenditures by Travelers on Minnesota, June 2007-May 2008

Out-of-state visitors: Over half of visitors to Minnesota travel from other states. Out-of-state visitors outspend resident travelers in Minnesota.

Top home states of non-resident travelers: Wisconsin, North Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, California, Michigan, South Dakota and Texas. The vast majority of all travelers to Minnesota come from the North Central region.

Sales Tax and Jobs
Jobs by County
For more research on tourism in Minnesota, see the research section of this web site
Fact Sheets