The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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October 18, 2011

Our View: Mankato tourism has potential

The Free Press

— One of the most significant findings in a recent survey of Mankato visitors shows that many came away with a favorable impression of the Mankato area. The second most significant finding showed that many underrated the area before they arrived.

That should leave tourism promoters with at least two strategies: Continue promoting the quality of life and continue adding amenities and tell a lot more people about them.

The Greater Mankato Convention and Visitors Bureau, soon to be renamed “Visit Greater Mankato,” sent surveys to about 5,400 people who had requested information on the area. About 7 percent responded.

The key findings: A third said they had a more favorable impression of Mankato after they visited; 78 percent rated their trip to Mankato an 8 or higher on a scale of 1 to 10. Key descriptive phrases associated with large numbers of survey respondents included: “growing town” and “welcoming” and “fun place to be.”

Respondents also saw the area as a good outdoor environment with trails, bike paths and even skiing. The Mankato Marathon and the River Ramble help capitalize on that as well as expose more people from outside the area to what we have to offer.

On the positive side, 71 percent of visitors had one of the following impressions: “Growing,” “Small town,” “Welcoming,” “Scenic,” “A lot to do,” “Fun place to be.”

The negatives were fewer. Just 2 percent of visitors said there was “not much to do.”

The survey also showed very few saw greater Mankato as a hub of “art, music and theater” despite the fairly robust offerings of each. The arts scene has grown significantly in the last few years, with things like the city sculpture tour and opening of the Emmy Frentz Arts Guild. And longtime arts groups such as Merely Players and MSU Theatre continue to be staples of the arts scene. The live music scene also has grown and remains consistently strong.

So there appears to be room to increase promotion of the arts in the greater Mankato area.

The survey also showed that a full two-thirds of visitors to Mankato spent money shopping or eating at area restaurants. So any increase in the draw of visitors will greatly benefit these local businesses.

The bottom line for Mankato tourism: We’ve got a lot going for us, we’ve got a great opportunity to increase tourism with amenities already in place, and people generally have favorable impressions of the area.

It sounds like a formula for further growth.

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