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Tourism & U: News you can use

The Tourism Center is a collaboration of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
and the University of Minnesota Extension.

Fall 2010

In this issue
New byways research
Legacy reports finalized
Marketing ROI
Tourism development resources
Recently read
Quick Links
Tourism Fact

Sales at leisure & hospitality businesses grew 36% 2000 - 2009
Greetings!

Winter is upon us in Minnesota and we say, bring it on! Not only can we enjoy great winter sports, but also work toward significant research and program development!

 

2011 looks promising as we consider advancing our excellent Festival & Event Management program, expanding our Tourism Development offerings and plunging deeper into 'quality of life' research.

  

We hope you are as optimistic about 2011 as we are! Enjoy this update and share your ideas, concerns and opportunities with us at anytime via phone, email, Facebook or Twitter! 

Sincerely,
 
Ingrid Schneider, Director
612-624-4947, ingridss@umn.edu
 
New Byways Research: Economic impact & quality of life

 
Driving for pleasure remains important to the leisure travel market. However, estimating the economic impact of this travel is a challenge. Our recent research took on this challenge and details the economic impact of travelers to two Minnesota Scenic Byways: Paul Bunyan and Lake Country. View the full reports for either byway:  Paul Bunyan or Lake Country.  Alternatively, quickly review the highlights from our one page Paul Bunyan or one page Lake Country summary.


 

This is the final phase of this byways project. In 2009, we assessed the economic impact of investment related to byways as well as conducted a literature review on existing research on the impact of byways on community quality of life.
Legacy reports finalized 

 

The Center supported the Legacy Amendment planning efforts both in two areas: 1) water and 2) parks and trails. Working with the Water Resource Center, Tourism Center staffed a working group that produced a white paper paper on recreational, cultural & spiritual values of water.  The final project was delivered to the Minnesota Legislature in January.
  
Similarly, the Tourism Center worked with the Center for Changing Landscapes to create an experience inventory of parks and trails and framework for planning.  Coupled with a physical inventory, this work will inform planning efforts for the next several decades. Learn more about the project as it is refined and finalized in June 2011. 
  
Visit the Legacy Destination Communities and see how they are working with Legacy dollars to promote themselves and partner within this initiative!

Marketing ROI: Select state results

 

Measuring the return on investment (ROI) for marketing investments remains important but is increasingly complex due to evolving media outlets and campaigns. In partnership with Explore Minnesota Tourism, we assessed the 2010 status of marketing ROI among 16 states in the mid-west U.S. and beyond. Results indicate that there is a range of measurements and direct ROI comparsions are difficult. Still, the ROI report provides insight to the status of assessing ROI and the range of numbers competitiors are using. 

Tourism development resource updated!
  

Our highly rated 'Tourism Development Manual' has been updated and ready for your use! Order the manual (University of Minnesota Extension product # 08665) or preview a sample chapter.  Look for this in Spanish soon!

 

Also, consider a complementary film that documents tourism development in 4 U.S. communities from 1990 to 2010.  Using 5 core tourism development values, case studies provide valuable lessons regarding how communities have dealt with the economic, social and environmental impacts of tourism.  Order Weaving Tourism Into Community:  four stories over time ($24.95 plus shipping;  University of Minnesota Extension product # 08662).

Recently read: Presentation Zen

 

Who doesn't want to give better presentations? But, can you limit yourself to 5 words per slide?!  Garr Reynolds provides gentle reminders and great challenges to presenters of all types in the 2008 Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery.

 

One of the great take-aways is the realization that your presentation is 1 of 3 elements of your information package: 1) the presentation, 2) the 'take away' or handout, and 3) the full report/paper. Too often we confuse and combine these 3 elements and get over-zealous in our slide presentations. The author has a website and blog you may enjoy!