Explore Minnesota Tourism launches the “Seasons of Fun Giveaway,” which will generate nearly $900,000 in new promotional value to support the Explore Minnesota brand.

Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Charles Dougherty, Bradley Jones, Mark Novotny, Ted Seifert, Charles Skinner, and Samuel Thompson; and the reappointment of Fred Bobich, Nancy Hanson, Julie Lunning, David Siegel, Kathy Silverthorn, and John Valliere to the Explore Minnesota Tourism Council.

Who are the travelers in Minnesota, where travel expenditures average about $32 million a day?

Through three grant programs, Explore Minnesota Tourism supports the marketing efforts of convention and visitors bureaus, chambers of commerce, statewide tourism associations and other community tourism organizations throughout Minnesota.

At the annual Explore Minnesota Tourism conference, held this week in Mankato, several organizations, businesses and individuals were recognized for their contributions to the state’s travel industry.

While there are 167 fewer resorts in Minnesota since 2000, the state sales and use tax contribution of the resort industry has increased by nearly 24 percent.