Minnesota targets Colorado tourists with ad campaign

Minnesota is spending $600,000 to attract tourists from Colorado over the next few months in a campaign that includes murals downtown and on Capitol Hill, a tourism spokeswoman there said this month.

Denver is one of Minnesota’s top tourism target markets for the summer travel season, said Alyssa Ebel, spokeswoman for Explore Minnesota.

The money will go to print, digital and outdoor advertising, including TV ads that began airing on Denver stations this month and a mural on both sides of the building on the 16th Street Mall at Champa Street, which Ebel called “a great area for shops and nightlife.”

The wallscape will be up from May 4 through May 11.

A painted mural for Minnesota tourism is also planned for May 11 though June 7 at East 13th Avenue and Washington Street in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

“Minnesota and Colorado have a lot in common when it comes to authentic outdoor adventure and vibrant culture alike,” Ebel said. “Our nearly 12,000 lakes offer an unparalleled Minnesota vacation for Coloradans, and the abundance of direct flights from Denver to Minneapolis make Minnesota an easy and affordable summer getaway.”

Weekend roundtrip flights in July from Denver to Minneapolis ranged from $187 to $423 on Expedia.com last week.

Explore Minnesota’s 201415 strategic plan calls for targeting tourists from Denver, Chicago and Kansas City, while strengthening markets such as Des Moines, Iowa; Milwaukee; Madison, Wis.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Minnesota credits its advertising efforts last year for generating $320.2 million in traveler spending and $29.7 million direct state and local taxes. Explore Minnesota statistics show $68 in traveler spending for every $1 in advertising investment.

Minnesota claims great success with its #OnlyinMN hashtag, which has garnered more than 100,000 uses on Twitter and Instagram from visitors from across the country and Minnesota residents, Ebel said.

Travelers are encouraged to tweet or post their photos and experiences using the hashtag, as well as using it for travel-planning inspiration, she said.

For more information about Minnesota tourism visit exploreminnesota.com/.