US Travel’s “Vote Travel” bus tour stops at Mall of America to promote tourism

The US Travel Association’s “Vote Travel” bus tour made its only Minnesota stop at Mall of America®.

The US Travel Association’s “Vote Travel” bus tour made its only Minnesota stop at Mall of America®. US Travel launched the national bus tour in Washington, DC, on March 21, and will travel more than 20,000 miles, making 37 stops in destinations such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Las Vegas, and Bloomington, Minnesota. The bus tour aims to boost the visibility of the travel industry.

Bloomington, Minnesota, which is home to the Mall, is often referred to as the City of Hospitality. There are more than 20,000 people working in the hospitality industry in the city. Great attractions, fine dining, convenient location, and the beauty of nature combine to make Bloomington the perfect destination.

“This event gives us an opportunity to talk about Bloomington and the importance of tourism to the entire region,” said Bonnie Carlson, President and CEO, Bloomington, MN Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Chairman, Circle Board Member of US Travel Association. “Our city is known for warmly welcoming tourists from around the world. Whether a visitor is from Des Moines, Denmark, or Dubai, they can be assured they will have a great visit in Bloomington. That hospitality reflects well on the entire region.”

Travel industry representatives and public officials visited the bus during the visit to Mall of America. The effort is to highlight Vote Travel’s policy priorities including measures that reduce visa hassles associated with travel, promote small businesses within the industry, encourage increased US investment in promoting travel, make America more competitive globally, and keep the business and meetings industry thriving.

“Tourism is vital to Minnesota’s economy,” stated John Edman, Director of Explore Minnesota Tourism, “The tourism industry generates more than US$31 million every day in sales, and it employs more than 235,000. It is fitting the bus stop was at Mall of America, since it is the number one tourist destination in the state.”

The event included remarks by Bonnie Carlson, President and CEO, Bloomington, MN Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Chairman Circle Board Member of US Travel Association; Karen Nordstrom, Bloomington City Council Member; John Edman, Director, Explore Minnesota Tourism; and Dave Haselman, Executive Vice President, Mall of America.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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