See America Week
The Gunflint Trail WELCOMES SUMMER TOURISM SEASON- taken in part from Explore MN Tourism
May 13-21 is See America Week
The Gunflint Trail is one of the communities across Minnesota brushing off their welcome mats in anticipation of the arrival of this summer’s travelers. The week of May 13-21 is designated nationally to highlight the positive impact of the` travel business. "See America Week," sponsored by the Travel Industry Association of America, promotes greater public awareness of the powerful economic, social and cultural impacts of travel and tourism.
In Minnesota, tourism generates about $10 billion for the state economy, bringing significant dollars into communities throughout our state, including Grand Marais and the Gunflint Trail.
Many businesses benefit from these expenditures. Hotels/motels, resorts, campgrounds and B&Bs all rely on travelers for their business success, but many more "Main Street" businesses in our communities receive significant income from visitors: restaurants, shops, service stations, museums, theaters and more. Tourism in Minnesota also generates $1 billion annually in state and local tax revenue, helping fund services in our communities. In Cook County alone sales tax brought in for lodging in 2004 were $1,545,684.00 and food and drink was $527,916.00.
On the Gunflint Trail visitors enjoy the wilderness setting and all it has to offer; Canoe trips, fishing, hiking, berry picking are just a few of the recreational opportunities found on the Trail. Vacations and getaways benefit the travelers who take them, of course, but tourism also benefits the communities these travelers visit, including all of Cook County.