Kelly Nygaard is Faribault Tourism Director, Main Street Program Coordinator and Marketing Director for the Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.  On the  Wednesday KDHL AM Minnesota program Nygaard said lodging tax receipts in the community at the end of the third quarter surpassed all of 2020.

Last year receipts were down about half from 2019.  That trend was seen statewide according to a Minnesota Department of Tourism (Explore Minnesota) Third Quarter 2021 Lodging Performance Report.

Nygaard says fourth quarter information won't be received until February for lodging tax receipts in Faribault.

Nygaard emphasized all residents of the community can be ambassadors for the area which drives the local economy.  "Be positive." she emphasized.  "People really pick up on how people living here feel about the community."  When sharing information about a great place to eat for example the Faribault Tourism Director suggested an enthusiastic response goes a long way.

If you didn't get a chance to listen to the program we've included the podcast below.

The Explore Minnesota report says, "Looking at year-over-year metrics for September 2021 relative to September 2020 the three key metrics all show growth in Minnesota.  Occupancy percentage up 29.5% from 2020 and is at 55.8% in September 2021."

"Average Daily Rate up 20.9% from 2020 and is $113.61 in September 2021. Revenue per available room up 56.6% from 2020 and is at $63.37 in September 2021."

Minnesota lodging metrics remain below the September 2021 national figures of 61.6% occupancy.  The report states 2019 lodging metrics were 69.2% occupancy, $120.99 ADR, $83.78 RevPAR.

"Across Minnesota lodging, occupancy percent increased by 30% in 2021 compared to third quarter 2020, which is more than increases in the West North Central U.S. region and the total United States."

Lodging occupancy increased in every Minnesota Region, all by double digits except in Rochester.  There occupancy percentage went up 8% percent.

Minneapolis continues to have the lowest hotel occupancy rate (38.4%) in the state and nation.

Bloomington (home to the Mall of America) had the biggest gain 47%.

Check out these photos from around the Gopher state.

 

MORE TO EXPLORE: Breathtaking Views of Minnesota

 

 

 

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