The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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Mankato visitors’ survey results

  • When asked if their perception of Mankato changed upon their first visit here, 62 percent said it was about what they expected. But 38 percent said their perception of the city was more favorable after they visited.
  • Residents of Mankato generally rated the city lower in appeal than visitors and even those who haven’t visited but knew something of the city. “These scores indicate a certain lack of resident advocacy relative to outside consumers,” the report said.
  • 75 percent said they are very likely to take another trip to Mankato.
  • 78 percent rated their trip 8 or higher out of 10 overall.
  • Visitors are generally from suburban fringe or rural areas, enjoy country music and auto racing and have a do-it-yourself lifestyle, maintaining their own homes, yards and vehicles.
  • n Most who visited (26 percent) did so to visit family or friends; 23 percent came to shop; 7 percent  came for business or conferences; 6 percent were just passing through; and 5 percent other. The rest visited for a variety of other reasons.
  • Just less than half of visitors stay overnight, staying with friends or family or in a hotel. Day-trippers come for the shopping.
  • There is good opportunity to connect with more potential visitors through the Mankato Marathon, as the website for the marathon draws large numbers of people from out of the area.


The survey was completed by North Star Destination Strategies. A total of 5,427 people who had requested visitor information about Mankato were invited to take the survey; 389 (7.1 percent) responded to the survey.

Related Photos

  • Visitors to the Mankato area say the area provides a wealth of activities, from shopping to parks, trail systems and the rivers.

    Mankato1

  • Many first-time visitors to Mankato say they were surprised by the natural beauty of the river valley. A recent study from the Greater Mankato Area Convention and Visitors Bureau study found that more than 38 percent of the people who had never been here said their perception of the Mankato area grew more favorable after they visited. Photos by John Cross

    Mankato2

October 17, 2011

CVB survey shows visitors find there’s more to Mankato

Information will be used as CVB works to freshen brand identity, focus marketing efforts

By Tim Krohn Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO — Visitors to Mankato mostly like country music and auto racing, most often come to shop or visit family and friends and many often find they underrated the city prior to coming.

More than a third of first time visitors said their impression of the Mankato-North Mankato area was more favorable after they visited.

“The top perceptions visitors listed were ‘growing town’ and ‘welcoming,’ and the second most common phrases were “fun place to come,’” said Anna Thill, president of the Greater Mankato Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “So it’s good people see us that way.”

Thill said the first-of-its-kind in-depth survey of visitors and potential visitors who didn’t come to Mankato is a way for the CVB and local businesses to better target their marketing approach.

“People are thinking of what they can do to act on these findings. How do we hone in on particular types of visitors and what they want to see when they come here.”

For the complete story, see Tuesday's print edition or e-edition.

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