For Immediate Release

Minneapolis (May 4, 2020) – Even as Minnesotans do their part and stay home during the pandemic, the “Spirit of Travel” is alive and well. This week marks National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) and Meet Minneapolis, Convention and Visitors Association, will spend the next six days encouraging enthusiasts to take part in the virtual activities. Kicking off yesterday with the “Minneapolis at Home Starter Kit” and the first Instagram story “question of the day,” the week will feature a virtual road trip, trivia, a twist on #TakeoutTuesday, ways to enjoy a fun-filled Minneapolis “night in” and more. It’s part of a larger effort to help the greater community support local businesses and attractions through the organization’s Experience Minneapolis From Home while people are unable to travel at this time.

To keep Minneapolis top-of-mind as a destination for future travel, Meet Minneapolis offers armchair travelers a variety of opportunities to join in the fun throughout NTTW:

• May 4: Participate in virtual Minneapolis trivia with @MeetMinneapolis on Twitter and respond to the Instagram story question of the day: What is your favorite outdoor activity in Minneapolis?
• May 5: Take part in #TakeoutTuesday by grabbing a bite from a Minneapolis restaurant and sharing photos (tag @MeetMinneapolis or #MeetMPLS. Plus, join the NTTW #VirtualRoadTrip from Washington, D.C., to California in 12 hours, “stopping” in Minnesota at 4:30 p.m.
• May 6: Watch the latest Minneapolis video and answer the question of the day (What is your favorite way to enjoy the arts in Minneapolis?). Then get Experience Minneapolis From Home Zoom backgrounds, local brews and cocktail kits ready, and schedule your own Virtual Happy Hour for Friday, May 8 that supports local businesses and your friends’ wellbeing
• May 7: Use your social account of choice and share your favorite Minneapolis travel memory on #ThrowbackThursday, and answer the question of the day: What is your favorite place to shop in Minneapolis?
• May 8: Fire up your scheduled Minneapolis Virtual Happy Hour between 4 and 8 p.m. and be sure to tag #WeGotThisMPLS on social posts of your group, plus answer the question of the day: What is your favorite brewery in Minneapolis?
• May 9: Get comfy for a Minneapolis Night In with Meet Minneapolis’ themed online puzzles, DIY art or science projects, Minneapolis music on Spotify, and all the best suggestions for delivery or takeout to enjoy at home

“There’s no doubt this has been an incredibly challenging time, but we see National Travel and Tourism Week as an opportunity to remind future visitors and our residents of the incredible spirit and resiliency of the travel industry and our workforce,” said Melvin Tennant, President and CEO, Meet Minneapolis. “It’s only a matter of time before we all get moving again. We want visitors to know that we’ll be ready when you’re ready to travel.”

A major focus for Meet Minneapolis during the COVID-19 crisis has been working to support the hospitality community and local businesses, as well as lifting up the local community throughout the say-at-home period with its Experience Minneapolis From Home offerings. Along with these efforts, Meet Minneapolis continues to prepare for the return of travel by promoting and selling the city for future conventions, meetings and sports events, such as the recently announced 2021 National Collegiate Volleyball Federation Championships.

Additionally, in an effort to show solidarity in the tourism industry in the Midwest, Meet Minneapolis has joined forces with Catch Des Moines, Visit KC, Experience Sioux Falls and Visit Omaha, during NTTW, to rally around each other’s virtual experiences with links to one another’s websites and social media promotion. Once restrictions are lifted, domestic travel and road trips are expected to be the first phase of the travel industry’s recovery. When the time is right, the travel and tourism industry will be integral to our nation’s recovery—for the economy and American jobs. But it is the #SpiritofTravel that will heal our country’s morale.

Celebrated annually the first full week in May, NTTW was created by Congress in 1983 to underscore the economic power of travel in the U.S. The 37th NTTW (May 3-9) arrives at an opportune moment to unite the industry, celebrate its indomitable spirit and elevate the role it will play in America’s economic recovery. Visit ustravel.org/NTTW to learn more about the week and tag #NTTW20 and #SpiritofTravel on social posts.

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ABOUT MEET MINNEAPOLIS
Meet Minneapolis is a private, not-for-profit, member-based association. It actively promotes and sells the Minneapolis area as a destination for conventions and meetings, works to maximize the visitor experience and markets the city as a desirable tourist destination to maximize the economic benefit to the greater Minneapolis area. Meet Minneapolis is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) of Destinations International.

CONNECT WITH US
Online: www.minneapolis.org

On Facebook: www.facebook.com/meetminneapolis

On Twitter: http://twitter.com/meetminneapolis

On Instagram: www.instagram.com/meetminneapolis
Watch: Here, “Minne” is an understatement

MEDIA CONTACT
Kristen Montag, Meet Minneapolis Senior PR and Communications Manager, 612-767-8038, KristenM@minneapolis.org, @Minneapolis_PR on Twitter

Or email MeetMinneapolisPR@Minneapolis.org