Mall of America® celebrates National Tourism Week

For Immediate Release                                                    Contact:                                Erin Vande Steeg

                                                                                                                                                952-883-8744

                                                                                                                                                erin.vandesteeg@moa.net

Mall of America^® celebrates National Tourism Week and $12 billion Minnesota travel industry

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (May 10, 2013) – More than 120 destinations across the country will unite by hosting localized events to showcase the importance of travel and tourism in the United States May 4 – 12, 2013. As the leading U.S. tourist destination, Mall of America^® celebrates National Travel and Tourism week to recognize the power of the $1.9 trillion travel industry.  

To commemorate National Tourism Week, Mall of America served as host to the production of a video for www.visitortelevision.com, one of the leading travel websites promoting tourism to America. Visitor Television provides destination videos in every major market in the United States. A group of industry professionals gathered at the Mall to explore the travel planning website and discuss current travel and tourism trends.

Each year more than 42 million people visit Mall of America. For every $1 tourists spend at the Mall, they also spend an average of at least $3 more on lodging, restaurants, car rental, theater and other activities. “Mall of America provides more than $3 billion of the $12 billion economic tourism impact in Minnesota. We’re proud to help amplify the voice of tourism during National Tourism Week,” said Maureen Bausch, Mall of America Executive Vice President. Bausch is a leading U.S. travel official and serves on the U.S. Commerce Department Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.

Mall of America is one of few U.S. retail centers to have a dedicated tourism marketing department. Doug Killian, senior director of international tourism, serves on the Minnesota Governor’s Tourism Advisory board, the University of Minnesota Tourism Center Advisory Council and on the National Council of Attractions board. Killian and his team are responsible for directing U.S. and international tourism programs at the Mall, generating nearly $2 billion each year in economic impact for the state of Minnesota.

About Mall of America®

Mall of America is the nation’s largest retail and entertainment complex. At 4.2 million square feet, MOA is home to more than 520 world-class 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. The Mall opened in August of 1992 and is located in Bloomington, Minn., just minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. Follow Mall of America on Facebook and Twitter or visit our blog.