Explore Minnesota Tourism: Industry Site

The primary international target markets for Explore Minnesota Tourism are: Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Nordic countries.  As global tourism expands, exposure for Minnesota is also sought out in the French, Dutch, Belgian, Irish, Latin American, Korean and Chinese markets.

Explore Minnesota Tourism is an active partner in three multi-state marketing organizations, formed to promote to specific overseas markets. Resources are pooled to maximize impact.
Great Lakes of North America, including Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, works to develop international travel to the Great Lakes region.  Primary target markets are the German-speaking countries and the United Kingdom.  www.greatlakes.de
www.greatlakesnorthamerica.co.uk
Mississippi River Country includes the 10 states along the Mississippi River.  The primary target market is Japan.  www.mrcusa.net
Rocky Mountain International, including Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana and Idaho, promotes travel to the region from Europe.  Explore Minnesota Tourism is active in their Gateway Cities program, with the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport serving as a convenient entry point to the U.S.  www.rockymtnintl.com

Familiarization Tours and Media Relations

What is offered: Explore Minnesota Tourism hosts familiarization tours for international travel agents, tour operators and media representatives. We also work with consumer and travel trade media in targeted international markets to generate feature articles and broadcast productions on Minnesota.
Who could benefit from this service: Minnesota tourism industry members can co-sponsor familiarization tours by providing complimentary lodging, meals, attractions and guide services.
Contact:
Cheryl Offerman, 651.757.1860, 800.657.3600, cheryl.offerman@state.mn.us

Canadian Marketing

With the current strength of the Canadian dollar, Canadian travel to the U.S. is on the rise, and Minnesota is working to attract these visitors.  Explore Minnesota Tourism is a member of the Ontario Motor Coach Association (OMCA) and attends the annual fall OMCA Marketplace, and maintains membership in the Discover America - Canada Committee.  Other marketing efforts include consumer and trade advertising and an annual spring sales mission to Winnipeg.

Contact:
Chris Van Meter, 651.757.1873, 800.657.3600, chris.vanmeter@state.mn.us

European Marketing

Through our multi-state partnerships Explore Minnesota Tourism takes advantage of marketing opportunities provided by the in-country representation firms in Europe, including familiarization tours, cooperative tour operator marketing campaigns and regional sales guides. Explore Minnesota Tourism regularly organizes sales missions to European target markets in addition to participation in key travel shows.

A Minnesota travel brochure is available for United Kingdom markets, and a German language brochure on Minnesota is published as a supplement to America Journal, a German language consumer travel magazine.  Explore Minnesota Tourism also maintains memberships in the Discover America and Visit USA committees of the United Kingdom, Ireland, German-speaking countries and Norway.

Contact:
Paul Sherburne, 651.757.1867, 800.657.3600, paul.sherburne@state.mn.us

Asian Marketing

Explore Minnesota Tourism focuses efforts on enhancing Minnesota’s position in the Japanese market, while turning its eye to the growing Korean and Chinese markets. The state is also represented through the Mississippi River Country partnership in Japan.

Contact:
Paul Sherburne, 651.757.1867, 800.657.3600, paul.sherburne@state.mn.us

INTERNATIONAL TRADE SHOWS AND EVENTS

Explore Minnesota Tourism participates in the following international trade shows and events:

International Markets (more than one country)

Rocky Mountain International Round-Up
Idaho (TBD)
April 1-4, 2009
travel only (limited to gateway city partners)

Travel Industry Association (TIA)
International PowWow
Miami, Florida
May 16-20, 2009
$1,500 plus travel

Canada

Discover America Day & media sales calls
Toronto, Ontario
October 4-6, 2009
$500 -750 plus travel expenses (approx. $750)
Cost is less for Discover America Committee members

Ontario Motorcoach Association Marketplace (OMCA)
London, Ontario
November 7-11, 2009
$850 registration fee plus travel expenses (approx. $1,350)

Winnipeg Sales Mission
Winnipeg, Manitoba
May 2009 (3 days/2 nights)
$350 plus travel expenses (approx. $400 plus air if applicable)

Europe

World Travel Market
London, England
November 10-13, 2008
$4,000 plus travel

Reiseliv
Oslo, Norway
January 8-11, 2009
$2,500 plus travel

Vakantiebeurs Travel Show
Dutch & German Sales Mission
Utrecht, Netherlands & Germany
January 10-17, 2009
Cost: TBD

Icelandair Mid-Atlantic Seminar
Reykjavik, Iceland
February 5-8, 2009
$930 plus travel

International Tourism Exchange (ITB)
Travel Trade Show
Berlin, Germany
March 11-15, 2009
$2,500 plus travel

Asia

Japan Association of Travel Agents
(JATA) Congress/World Travel Fair
Tokyo, Japan
September 18-21, 2008
$2,500 plus travel

China International Travel Fair (CITM)
Shanghai, P.R.O.C.
November 17-24, 2008
$2,000 plus travel

Active America Travel Summit - Japan
Banff, Alberta (tentative)
April/May 2009
$1,395 plus travel

Korean World Travel Fair (KOFTA)
Seoul, South Korea
June 4-8, 2009
$2,500 plus travel

Who could benefit from this service: Minnesota tourism organizations and businesses

Cost: fees, plus travel expenses may apply, unless otherwise indicated

Contact:
Cheryl Offerman, 651.757.1860, 800.657.3600, cheryl.offerman@state.mn.us

Minnesota Product: International Tour Operator Catalogs