The new year brings fresh opportunities to share our beautiful city with visitors from across the country and around the world! Visit Duluth is constantly exploring ways to expand our reach, grow the visitor base, and keep Duluth’s third-largest industry, tourism, thriving.
Several new initiatives are being implemented to achieve these important goals.
2020 will see notable changes to the messaging and creative content featured at visitduluth.com and in marketing campaigns. A diversity and inclusion advisory group is being formed to ensure Visit Duluth presents an image and brand that truly reflects our city. We’re seeking representation from a cross section of perspectives such as sensory-friendly, ADA, ethnic, cultural, and the LGBTQI community, to name a few examples. This exciting collaboration kicks off in February, and those interested in serving on the advisory group can contact sue@visitduluth.com.
After nearly six years, a complete website redesign is slated to take place this year. Suggestions and feedback from the advisory group will be incorporated into the new site, which is expected to roll out early fall.
The Visit Duluth Tourism Academy debuts this spring. Each month, team members will conduct a training session to define the role of Visit Duluth; outline the value tourism brings to our local economy; and create broader awareness by shining the spotlight on attractions, outdoor recreation, arts and culture, and all Duluth has to offer. This academy is free and open to everyone.
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Workforce shortages are expected to be an issue well into the future. Visit Duluth, Soar Career Solutions, and Career Force are partnered on a pilot program specifically aimed at helping at-risk youth ages 16 to 24. Duluth hotels will provide the candidates employment and on-the-job training and then work closely with case workers to overcome barriers to clear paths toward permanent employment opportunities. These employees join more than 17,000 people working in the hospitality industry.
Even though Visit Duluth’s efforts are primarily focused outside the city, we remain committed to providing valuable resources within our community. Each of these projects aligns with our mission to maximize the impact tourism has on Duluth, directly and indirectly.
2020 is shaping up to be one of the most intense presidential elections our country has seen. Many of Visit Duluth’s top markets are located in high-profile battleground states, driving up media costs and creating challenges in finding availability. Our preferred markets are in Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota.
Our community’s lodging inventory continues to expand with the Fairfield Inn & Suites in the Miller Hill Mall Corridor slated to open this year. Trying to keep pace with the increasing number of hotels means stretching limited resources to expand the visitor base and absorb additional rooms.
Thankfully, 66% of visitors come from the Twin Cities, where road construction is a way of life. Visit Duluth will proactively communicate updates regarding Superior Street reconstruction, the Twin Ports Interchange Project, and other work that can significantly impact the visitor experience. Preparing people for some of the inevitable inconveniences and travel delays is a top priority.
Marketing campaigns will be customized to suit the demographic being reached. Birding, road trips, hand-crafted local retail, outdoor recreation, and our world-class craft beer scene are just a few of the themes we’ll highlight to entice visitors to find their ultimate Duluth getaway.
Visit Duluth is approaching the new year with anxious optimism, striving to balance the challenges facing tourism with new opportunities for dynamic outreach and continued success.
Anna Tanski is president of Visit Duluth. She wrote this exclusively for the News Tribune at the request of the Opinion page.
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THE YEAR AHEAD
The News Tribune Opinion page again this year asked community leaders and area experts to gaze into their crystal balls and to share what 2020 might be bringing us.
Thursday, Dec. 26: City of Duluth
Friday, Dec. 27: St. Louis County
Saturday, Dec. 28: Duluth school district
Sunday, Dec. 29: Congress
Monday, Dec. 30: Minnesota Legislature
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Tuesday, Dec. 31: The Economy
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 1: Tourism
Thursday, Jan. 2: Business
Friday, Jan. 3: Downtown Duluth
