DULUTH – Local tourÂist atÂtracÂtions are gearÂing up for the govÂerÂnor's go-ahead to start welÂcomÂing visiÂtors in health-concious ways, preÂpaÂraÂtions fueled by hopes that they may have the sumÂmer to salÂvage some of the damage the COVID-19 panÂdemÂic has reaped on the hosÂpiÂtalÂiÂty inÂdusÂtry.
Though Gov. Tim Walz announced a two-week extension of the state's stay-at-home ordÂer Thursday, DuÂluth tourÂism leadÂers are ready to capÂiÂtalÂize on the wave of stir-crazy MinÂneÂsoÂtans that may be lookÂing for vaÂcaÂtions close to home in the comÂing months.
VisÂit DuÂluth, the city's tourÂism nonÂprofÂit, plans to use taglines like "Lake Superior: Big enÂough for evÂerÂyÂone" and "it's time to make new memÂories." With the anticipation that health concerns will linger and some families will be forced to tighten their finances, the marketing campaign — right now slated to launch in mid-May — aims to present the city as an easy getaway option for those looking for fun and fresh air.
"When peoÂple start movÂing around aÂgain, they are going to come to DuÂluth," MayÂor EmÂiÂly LarÂson said at a news conÂferÂence ThursÂday. "They have to see the lake, they have to see these trails. That is our pull. That is what keeps peoÂple comÂing."
Even with the new push, city ofÂfiÂcials are preÂdictÂing DuÂluth could lose up to 75% of the $12 milÂlion it budgÂetÂed for this year's tourism tax revÂeÂnue, which is colÂlectÂed from a levy on hoÂtels and resÂtauÂrants and funÂneled back into organizations and events that atÂtract visiÂtors.
For decades, Duluth has worked to transform itself into a destination for vacationers across the region, through efforts like the revitalization of Canal Park and the building of the Lakewalk.
In St. Louis County, more than 18,000 resiÂdents apÂplied for unÂemÂployÂment inÂsurÂance in the last month, a quarÂter of which work in the food, drink and hosÂpiÂtalÂiÂty secÂtors.
"Our inÂdusÂtry is hurtÂing deepÂly," said Anna Tanski, presÂiÂdent of VisÂit Duluth.
Hotel ocÂcuÂpanÂcy rates have been avÂerÂagÂing aÂbout 20%. The DuÂluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) won't see $2.5 milÂlion due to events canÂcelÂed from March through AuÂgust. GrandÂma's MarÂaÂthon, which usually brings thouÂsands of visitors and $10 milÂlion of ecoÂnomÂic acÂtivÂiÂty to DuÂluth each June, was called off.
While year-round residents of vacation spots rushed to discourage visitors at the outset of the COVID-19 outbreak — particularly those in less populated areas with more limited hospital resources — they're now starting to confront the challenge of having to draw people back despite looming uncertainty about the threat the coronavirus will continue to pose. Summer is Duluth's busiest season, and traffic this year could give a much-needed boost to businesses.
"We need to gently remind people that it's OK to start planning and that it is safe to start planning," Tanski said. "Because we will be able to welcome visitors in the not-too-distant future."
ReÂopenÂing plans inÂclude measÂures that proÂmote public health. Vista Fleet, which offers cruisÂes on Lake SuÂpeÂriÂor, is planÂning to reÂduce the caÂpaciÂties of its boat tours. The Lake SuÂpeÂriÂor Zoo is deÂvelÂopÂing new visÂiÂtor poliÂcies that will keep huÂmans and aniÂmals soÂcialÂly disÂtant from one anÂothÂer.
They also facÂtor in exÂpectÂed fiÂnanÂcial troubÂles. Spirit Mountain Executive Director Brandy Ream said if its adÂvenÂture park opens at all this sumÂmer, it will likeÂly only be opÂerÂatÂing three days a week.
Tanski enÂcourÂaged Duluthians to ask their fedÂerÂal repÂreÂsenÂtaÂtives to exÂpand elÂiÂgiÂbiity for more stimÂuÂlus fundÂing to asÂsoÂciÂaÂtions like VisÂit DuÂluth, which can curÂrentÂly only apÂply for one coÂroÂnaÂviÂrus loan proÂgram. LarÂson said she was speakÂing with state legisÂlaÂtors ThursÂday aÂbout bondÂing reÂquests reÂlated to tourÂist atÂtracÂtions like the DECC and Spirit Mountain.
"We are lookÂing unÂder all rocks," LarÂson said, "to see if we can adÂjust our payÂments so that we could keep as much monÂey cirÂcuÂlatÂing with the local ecÂonÂomy as possible."
KatÂie Galioto • 612-673-4478