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MINNEAPOLIS — New numbers show tourism slumped this summer in Minnesota.
In a survey by the Federal Reserve, Hospitality Minnesota and Explore Minnesota Tourism, half of the 266 respondents from the hospitality and tourism industry said that business was slower than in 2023.
“We did see an overall decline in occupancy,” said Aliah Vanchelli, the general manager of Appeldoorn’s Sunset Bay Resort on Lake Mille Lacs.
The summer told a different story at Sugar Lake Lodge near Grand Rapids.
“Honestly it was incredible,” said owner Abby Oxborough. “One of the better summers we’ve had.”
Oxborough says family reunions are what boosted her business. That’s a segment of customers that Vanchelli says she’s also focusing on.
“Everybody’s kind of being a little bit tighter in how much they’re spending and what they’re spending on, and I think that quality time is the push [to get them here],” Oxborough said.