Vote Travel Bus to Promote Tourism in America
The U.S. Travel Association’s “Vote Travel” bus tour made its Minnesota stop at Mall of America. U.S. 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, Minn. The bus tour aims to boost the visibility of the travel industry.
Bloomington, Minn., 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, says Mall of America.
“This event gives us an opportunity to talk about Bloomington and the importance of tourism to the entire region,” says Bonnie Carlson, president & CEO, Bloomington, MN Convention & Visitors Bureau and chairman Circle Board Member of U.S. Travel Association.
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 U.S. investment in promoting travel, make America more competitive globally and keep the business and meetings industry thriving.
“Tourism is vital to Minnesota’s economy,” states John Edman, director of Explore Minnesota Tourism. “The tourism industry generates more than $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.”
Mall of America (MOA) is stated to be the nation’s largest retail and entertainment complex. At 4.2 million square feet, MOA is home to more than 520 shops; Nickelodeon Universe, the nation’s largest indoor family amusement park; SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium, a 1.2 million gallon walk-through aquarium; Moose Mountain Adventure Golf; Theatres at Mall of America – a 14-screen movie theater with VIP theatre and more.
