Ely takes note of National Tourism Week

The contributions of travel and tourism to our country are being celebrated across the nation from May 7-15. This is an opportunity to recognize the economic, social and cultural value of tourism. In terms of direct and indirect expenditures, travel and tourism in Minnesota is a $9.2 billion industry. That number is impressive yet it doesn’t reflect just how deep the travel and tourism dollar trickles. The travel dollar creates about 250,000 jobs and generates $1 billion in state and local tax revenue. One out of every eight jobs is indirectly created by travel and tourism. Tax dollars, generated by travel, fund vital educational programs, build roads, hospitals, and schools; and support social and community projects. Although tourism impacts the success of Ely’s overall economy, it also ensures our quality of life because it influences every business and affects almost every aspect of our daily lives. This industry is diverse and wide-ranging, from obvious segments such as airlines, airports, rental cars, and travel agents, to the countless businesses found within Ely, such as lodging facilities, outfitters, campgrounds, restaurants, service stations, groceries, medical facilities, etc. Like most small businesses, these tourism businesses use local supplies and services, generating more and more revenue for Ely. From entry-level employees to top level executives, tourism-related jobs can be found in countless fields that benefit the Ely area. Tourism is a key part of Ely’s economy and expands economic activity by bringing new money into the community. The return on investment for tourism marketing provides a measurable return. Every $1 invested in tourism marketing returns an estimated $4.60 in new state and local taxes, $20.40 in wages, and $53.00 in gross sales. Linda Fryer, Administrative Director of the Ely Chamber of Commerce said, “To show the real value of tourism let’s compare the tourism investment with other common investments. If you invested a dollar in the Dow Jones Index in 2004, your earnings were minimal at three percent. If you invested a dollar in the NASDAQ in 2004, you received roughly eight cents in profits. If you put the same dollar in real estate, you received 11 cents in profits. Put the dollar in tourism marketing and your return is several times its original value.” An aspect of tourism that is often overlooked is the quality of life. Fryer said, “As the Ely Chamber of Commerce makes an investment in tourism, it’s not only the visitor that wins but also the citizens of the area. The places that visitors enjoy in Ely are the same ones that the citizens enjoy. Take your favorite restaurant as an example. The one that gets really busy during the tourism season, might not exist without tourists.” Travel trends and patterns, as with anything else, are constantly changing. To be effective marketing strategies also need to change. Some of the changing travel patterns and trends are: travel is closer to home, vacations are shorter in length, travelers are very cost and value conscious, planning is done at the last-minute, and internet use has increased for travel planning. Last year the Ely Tourism Bureau hired a marketing firm to assist with their marketing strategies. As a result of these efforts, the Ely area continues to show an increase in tourism with lodging tax receipts increasing by 11 percent last year. Ely also received Explore Minnesota Tourism Marketing Award of Excellence for its street marketing promotion in Chicago and the Twin Cities. The award was presented at the Annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism in January. Tourism continues to have a great impact on the economy of Ely. Fryer said, “While it may be our woods and water that entice people to visit Ely for the first time, it’s the people of Ely that will bring them here a second, third and fourth time.”