Higher leisure travel spending predicted

A majority of the state’s residents spend their leisure time in Minnesota. Sixty-seven percent said they plan to spend as much or more of their money on leisure travel in 2013 as they did in 2012, a new survey by the University of Minnesota Tourism Center revealed.

Among respondents surveyed during the fourth quarter of 2012, 48 percent said they plan to spend the same on leisure travel in 2013 compared to 2012, and 19 percent reported they plan to spend more.

Younger Minnesotans anticipated spending more in 2013 than did older Minnesotans. Previous visitor research indicates travelers spend most of their travel dollars on food, followed by nearly equal amounts on lodging, retail, recreation and transportation.

“The news is good for local economies,” said Matt Kane, community economics program leader for University of Minnesota Extension. “The bulk of leisure pursuits by Minnesotans happens right here in the state. That’s an important source of dollars for many local communities that depend on tourism for jobs and income.”

The tourism industry generates $11.9 billion in leisure and hospitality sales in Minnesota, including $769 million in sales tax, and accounts for close to 240,000 jobs, according to Explore Minnesota Tourism.

The research study was one of several studies supported by the Carlson Chair of Hospitality, Travel and Tourism, and was conducted as part of the 2012 Minnesota State Survey by the Minnesota Center for Survey Research.

For more information on tourism research and Extension programs, visit www.tourism.umn.edu.

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