Letter to the Editor

We want to thank everyone in the Austin area for taking time to share their ideas for Vision 2020 over the past few weeks and months.

I’ve been reading several of the great ideas listed online (I’m told there are now more than 4,500!) and wanted to point out my observation: Tourism is a very high priority to our residents.

There are 85 ideas directed specifically to tourism alone. Another 110 ideas are listed regarding local attractions. Dozens and dozens follow concerning the arts, bike trails, a community center, our downtown, events/festivals, parks, recreation, restaurants, retail shopping, sports … all venues that add to our tourism appeal. It’s clear that Austinites have given much thought and consideration about how we can all work together to make our community the very best, for now and the future.

Tourism is currently an $11 billion industry in the United States. In Mower County, more than $55.2 million in gross sales and more than $3.1 million in state sales tax are the result of tourism, hospitality and incoming visitors. There are approximately 1,350 travel-related jobs in private sector employment in our county — all the result of tourism here.

It is our mission to promote tourism in the Austin area to enhance the economy of this community. Leisure travelers, as well as convention and meeting attendees bring with them a tremendous amount of spending power. On average, each incoming visitor spends $125 per day according to Explore Minnesota Tourism.

The best way to keep Austin growing is to bring new people in. Tourism dollars are extremely valuable to our local economy and there is so much to see and do right here. We will be reading over these ideas carefully that pertain to our industry and are excited about what the ultimate result of Vision 2020 will bring.

What 100 ideas will rise to the top? What final 10 will be chosen to work directly toward? My staff and I stand ready to work with the Vision 2020 committee on making it happen in Austin. The ideas that are selected as best ways to improve Austin will ultimately make Austin a better place to visit, as well as to live and work in. Based on the ideas the 21-member Selection Committee is working on, the future looks pretty darn exciting. We’ll be here to be a part of it.

 

Cheryl Corey,

Executive Director

Austin Convention

& Visitors Bureau